“Some are concerned that what is seen as ‘isolation’ will in fact be solitary confinement (seclusion) and that their prior experiences and trauma from solitary confinement will not be considered. These fears may be leading people to not seek help from mental health services when they need to, adding to their distress.” (Submission) While public messaging has encouraged households to prepare for isolation by stocking up on essentials, this requires financial reserves that many New Zealanders do not have. Such messages have caused distress for disabled people and their whānau, who do not have disposable income or savings to purchase essentials, like food, cleaning products or medicines, weeks ahead of when they are needed: “Many of the people in our communities live week to week, and do not have the financial means to stock up on groceries, or the essential supplies needed to get through COVID-19.” (Submission) Once isolating, submissions noted that disabled people are often left to rely on whānau or friends to deliver groceries or deliver other essentials: “Many relied on whānau and friends to donate or access food, medication, information, transport. Many of our community are still struggling, especially those on benefits – Omicron just seems to have enhanced the divide and feelings of separation and being on our own.” (Submission) For those who had the means to purchase groceries online, delivery services have been helpful, but submissions note that even with some supermarkets offering priority spaces for disabled people, the spaces are very limited. Furthermore, grocery delivery to the door only, rather than inside to the kitchen, may not be helpful for all disabled people and their whānau: “With changes to groceries being carried into the house disabled people told us they had to try and drag their groceries in from outside in the rain while sitting in their wheelchair or using their walking frames. This was very difficult and resulted in some hurting themselves. Some tried calling MSD for assistance but either the person answering didn’t know about disability assistance or there was no response to their call.” (Māori submission) Expectations that people isolate in their homes also assumes housing is warm and dry and safe, which is not the case for all disabled people and their whānau: “We have heard that people are under immense stress and pressure in many avenues of their life from employment to support, to housing – both disabled people and their whānau.” (Submission) 29