Auckland city centre during the level 4 Covid lockdown. Photo: RNZ / John Edens
The widow of a dementia patient who died in an aged care facility during lockdown in 2020 says not being able to see her husband was detrimental to his wellbeing.
The first public hearings into New Zealand's Covid-19 response continue on Wednesday, with more scheduled through the week.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Covid-19 is looking into the government's response to the pandemic and its effects.
It is the first time submissions will be heard publicly, with the sessions live-streamed.
This week's hearings particularly concentrate on the impact of the extended lockdown in Auckland and Northland in 2021 and on vaccine mandates and safety.
The widow of a dementia patient who died in an aged care facility during lockdown in 2020 says not being able to see her husband was detrimental to his wellbeing.
Ruth Schuman has told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response that after the country entered level 4 she could not visit her husband for two weeks.
"At the time, I thought if it was only two weeks we could get through it, and as soon as those two weeks were over, I could see him.
She sent videos of herself speaking to her husband's caregivers.
"He didn't understand why I wasn't there. Sometimes he wouldn't let the caregivers do his care, but if they played the recording and he heard my voice, he would."
But after two weeks, the country remained in lockdown, with people required to stay within strict regional boundaries.
Photo: RNZ / John Edens
Schuman said she had recently relocated to Mangawhai, outside the boundary her husband was in. She was granted permission to visit her husband on compassionate grounds, but only by appointment, three times a week for 30 minutes.
"When I was allowed to go, I had to wear protective gear. I had a mask and all this plastic stuff on. For somebody with dementia, he didn't understand, that's not me to him.
"It was very soon after that lockdown started that he died, he stopped eating, and that was the beginning of the end."
"Up until lockdown, he was eating well. He didn't speak, but if I played music, he would smile. There was still some happiness. He was still able to enjoy something."
She said after waiting several months to hold a funeral for her husband due to COVID restrictions, she felt "broken" and "empty".
She said residential care facilities should be dealt with separately in the event of another pandemic.
"Those people are isolated anyway. They need to see their families, and their families need to see them.
"I was difficult enough going through dementia, and when he needs you the most, when he's dying, you get a 30 minute appointment. I don't think that's right, and no one should have to go through that."
Pasifika communities strugggled
Pasifika leaders told the Royal Commission many members of their communities struggled to adapt to lockdowns.
Manurewa community leader Penina Ifopo said many families weren't equipped to provide children the tools needed for online learning.
She said many households in her community didn't have wifi, let alone a spare laptop, for children to do school work.
Pasifika communities were also heavily impacted during funerals, with many cultural traditions not compatible with lockdown regulations, she said.
Reverend Victor Pouesi from the Christian Church of Samoa in Manukau said there was a lot of fear about Covid-19 and vaccinations.
"People were looking for alternative sources of information other than the government, and that created a lot of problems.
"Paranoia and misinformation spread faster than Covid itself."
He said their church was able to livestream a broadcast with information from the government and social services to inform their community.
Monday's hearing included perspectives from business sectors based in Auckland, Northland and Waikato.
On Tuesday, research experts looking into the Covid-19 lockdowns said having people report breaches was highly ineffective and burdensome.
Wednesday afternoon's session was due to hear from Māori health and social services organisations, the education sector and young people.
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