I wonder why?

In it’s wisdom the government* deemed that community newspapers such as the Star are not essential and so, as part of the plan to stop the spread of Covid19 , forebade their production. 

This was a great pity as the  April edition of the Star, which was print ready when the lockdown was anounced, contained information of the particularly local services which were to be available during the lockdown period, such as the special arrangements made by P&K to ensure that grocery products were available to all residents. Only community newspapers are in a position to give blanket coverage of such local information.

Are newspapers safe to read given the potential of spreading Covid-19?

The International News Media Association – drawing on research by scientists, experts and the World Health Organisation – is unambiguous in its message: There is no documented incident whereby the Covid-19 virus was transmitted from a print newspaper or magazine.

The reasons for this are several. Covid-19 lasts longest on smooth, non-porous surfaces. Paper, on the other hand, is incredibly porous. The printing process and ink used also adds to the sterility of newspapers (remember that people used to eat fish n chips from papers for that very reason). The printing, counting and stacking process is fully automated. The printing shifts are split – and kept apart – to prevent any cross-infection should anyone become ill.

What about the delivery process?

Given the automation of printing and stacking , hands do not touch the bundles until delivery. Only our delivery team will touch the Star and only very briefly to pop into your mailbox. They could have been issued with gloves. Our delivery team had indicated that they were happy to  deliver the Star as part of the allowed outdoor exercise.

A delegation from the CommunityNewspapers Association met with the Minister pointing out the lack of any real risk in continuing with their service. However this fell on deaf ears.

However, happily the Star is now back and published, we hope you enjoy some reading. With this issue we would like to acknowledge all the people and companies who kept the essential services running. 

Also to urge the shopping locally and using local service providers. It is at times such as we have experienced which underline the importance of having viable local companies. Not only is shopping locally more convenient but supporting local companies will ensure that they are always here and at your service. 

Mike Beckett

* The decision was made by Communications minister Chris Faafoi. He had been very poorly advised  by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage who were clearly woefully ignorant of the subject