I’m an American resident living in isolation in New Zealand

Back in December of 2019 I bought a one way ticket live in Motueka, New Zealand with my mum. I flew out on March 17th, 2020, yes right in the midst of the pandemic that is now consuming our lives.

I flew out of Canada for my flight as a way to just save some money. I had quite a few connecting flights as well, meaning during one of the most contagious viruses the world has seen in years, I would be entering three countries. Canada, United States, and my final destination, New Zealand.

Regardless of the stories I could get into about the differences just between the airports in these three countries, this article is about the current differences of country lockdowns and stay home orders.

New Zealand went into official country lockdown on March 25 2020. I personally had already been in self isolation, due to just arriving in the country on the 19th.

New Zealand’s lockdown order had quite a few speculations that came with it, including only being in contact with the people in your home, no more than two people in a group at any single time, also everything but grocers and pharmacies had been closed.

Now, coming from the United States, I still have a good majority of contact there in multiple different states, but my main hub being Michigan. With my father and brother still living in our family home, and hearing the constant jump in cases, I call them quite often to see if they are okay.

As of March 24th 2020, the state of Michigan had implemented a stay home order. The order was placed by the governor, and has been expected to last for three weeks. Although, many now believe it will be going past the three week mark.

I have a good amount of family and friends in Michigan, my mum as well. We both still speak with them constantly, as well, we both have noticed that many people in the United States are still not taking COVID-19 lockdowns, or stay home orders seriously whatsoever.

For example the only thing the New Zealand public has been allowed to do for a week now is take walks or bike, even then it’s only on your own, or with one other. There are hotlines people can call to report anyone breaking these rules, there are police patrolling high traffic areas to fine anyone’s breaking these rules. The entire country will be this way until May, 2nd, 2020 at minimum.

The United States, has become one of the biggest epicenters for the virus. The three states with the highest numbers, New York, New Jersey, and yes, my home state Michigan. As of just a few days ago, the state of Michigan had over run the state of California with its number of cases. That’s quite a scary thought for someone who isn’t with half of her family right now.

As previously stated, Michigan, and many other states have implemented stay home orders, but as of this day, the entirety of the United States is not on lockdown. Even with stay home orders in place, many Americans are not taking the severity of the virus seriously.

There are college students still spring breaking as normal, parks are still flooded with family, grocery stores are being used as jungle gyms for now stay at home parents. Many people are still leaving there houses to visit with friends, or family. Groups are forming as usual across all 50 states, yet no one isn’t stopping this.

Now as many countries are finally slowing down with the cases they account each day, the United States is picking up more cases each day then they can fathom.

From New Zealand, to Italy, all the way to India, many countries have implemented secure lockdowns to protect their people. Why is the United States getting left behind? Why are many of these stay home orders not being followed? Lives are at risk. People’s well-being is at risk. Why are so many people still, with such high numbers, not taking this seriously?

As an American living abroad, please for my friends and family, as well as yours, stay home.

You are safe at home, you are protecting others at home, you are saving lives staying at home.