Sonya Ihimaera was mocked for wearing a face mask in Kerikeri, even though she’d just travelled from the outbreak’s South Auckland epicentre. Photo: Supplied via NZ HeraldA Northland woman says she was laughed at for wearing a face mask in Kerikeri — even though she had just travelled from Auckland and was wearing it to protect people like the man mocking her. One woman said she had a compromised immune system due to cancer treatment, yet was mocked for wearing a mask; another, who has lung problems, was laughed at twice in one Kerikeri supermarket visit. Ihimaera said it was wrong to judge others without knowing their backstory or reasons for needing to wear a face mask. In level 3 face masks are not mandatory in New Zealand but they are ''strongly encouraged'' in all public places.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 20, 2020 20:48 UTC