While the Prime Minister has emphasised the role of the ‘team of five million’ in achieving no active Covid-19 cases in such short time, its also good to see some media coverage given to the behind-the-scenes local heroes in fighting the virus.

Did you notice the photo of Stephen Chambers in this weekend’s Press? Professor Stephen Chambers is an infectious diseases physician with Canterbury District Health Board, and Clinical Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Otago. Stephen is also a member of St Mark’s Methodist Church, Somerfield, and has led worship at Durham Street. He was also featured earlier in the lockdown in a NZ Herald article, as one of the 11 members of the Ministry of Health’s Pandemic Influenza Technical Advisory Group (PITAG), which was meeting daily since March to advise the Minstry on crucial decisions and recommendations to Cabinet. 

Well done all our behind-the-scenes hero scientists!