Diary Entries

So grateful to still have work, but oh so concerned for all those who have lost their job, or their business during this pandemic. I am much more conscious of ‘buying local’ to support my local community, and buying Australian made products. Dad has dementia. We struggled through 7 weeks of no visits. Talking on the phone or via Skype is challenging, as he puts the phone down to go looking for me. The nursing home granted a compassionate visit a week ago, and Dad’s face lit up with recognition and joy when he saw me. My Zumba teacher created online classes - oh, how I need this! I can exercise for a bit, have a break, speed it up, slow it down - all in the comfort of my lounge room. Being adaptable and innovative is definitely a key for small businesses to survive. Wednesday night trivia; Friday drinks at the pub; weekend coffee with friends; morning tea on Sunday with Mum; ...all banned. Instead, each day, I record the number of cases, deaths and recoveries, for Australia and the world overall, in a book. Once a week, I record statistics for the 20 worst affected countries. I find it interesting to see the countries move position on the ladder. It makes me question - Why are the case numbers so high and the number of deaths so low there? Why so many deaths here? Inconsistencies in testing rates and reporting methods is generally the answer. Along with relaxed or delayed enforcement of restrictions or lockdowns. I like to think that one day, my future grandchildren (🤞) will flick through these pages, reading my notes. I feel blessed that none of my family, friends, or colleagues have contracted the virus. But all of us have been impacted by it.

I’m 73 years old and I have rheumatoid arthritis and my treatment includes immuno suppressing drugs. This treatment leaves me very vulnerable to infections, virus and sickness. As a result my family have wrapped me in cotton wool and shipped me off to a family beach house where I’ve resided since the last week of February. I’ve had little contact outside of immediate family but have learned new skills with digital platforms including ZOOM and FaceTime which have allowed me to keep in touch with friends and more distant relatives. I even have a drink with friends a couple of times a week via FaceTime- at least some level of social contact. In some ways the lockdown has been good - I’ve spent more time with some of my grandchildren that I’d normally be able to do, and I’ve saved lots of money normally spent on entertainment and restaurant dining. I’m missing dining out and I’m missing golf and travel. My wife and I have cancelled a couple of overseas trips and a couple of domestic trips. We hope that we can get back to travel soon.

I tried to be positive from the outset with the Covid-19 crisis. It soon became a shock how globally serious it was. On the whole, despite negative news, for me it has been positive. I have lived a little over a decade in Sydney having lived in Britain for some 25 years and I found isolation to be a period of consolidation. It was a task to be creative with isolation. You had to use your head with making do. I have discovered a liking for tapestry. It is very relaxing. At the moment, I wonder, probably as most do, how the future will be. For instance, how will cinemas be, and going to see shows? We will see too how cafes and restaurants will react. Will it be alternate seating, eg, as in America? I think people used to be so keen to travel and now I wonder how enticing the travel bug will be?

Sitting on my lounge watching NBN news - nothing but Corona! Day in, day out.. Each day I wake I silently thank ‘Whoever’ that I am well, purely for the fact that the thought of someone sticking a swab up my nose and at the back of my throat, makes me cringe! My kids are bored but I don’t worry: they are here and they are well. My husband is at work - so thankful for work! Day in, day out.. Only a few months ago I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of my mum and dad from Perth, excited yet scared that they would catch Covid from the plane trip over, thankfully they didn’t but their trip was cut short because of border closures, so off they went back home after only a few days. In to self isolation for 14 days. Day in, day out.. I’m thankful I can cook, I’m surrounded by family, I have a job, I can pay the bills without government assistance. I have time to look around me and appreciate what I have but most of all, day in and day out I’m alive.

Isolation has become my friend. Isolation and I are on good terms at the moment. He lets me read and write, (with little complaining) though I have to give him some attention during the day, otherwise he groans and moans about the place. “I know,” I say. “I see you, and you matter. Don’t be silly.” Of course, I’m talking to my front door. Locked and keeping shut. I don’t think it’s been opened in weeks. I’ve lost track of the days, it says it’s 2020, yet I have my doubts. Doubts have riddled my aching mind for the nights kept awake. However, larger things are at stake. Update: Today, I opened the front door named Isolation, felt the cool breeze waft over as if in a greeting. Then I sneezed and coughed at the same time. I’m back inside, until further notice. - J.W

I have only just started to get used to this new but bizarre life that has not only affected me, but millions of people around the world. I never would have imagined spending year 11 mostly online, stuck at home. whilst I don't have it bad, it still seems so surreal. I would have dreamed of staying home allllll day last year and the years before, but at this present stage, I can not think of anything worse. But there are some positives, I'm going out for walks more, doing more home exercises and even learning new languages. Life is strange, but I know it won't last forever. I just hope we can all learn from this and make sure this never happens again. Because, after this pandemic, the world will never be the same. I just can not wait until this is over, because I know I will make sure to be grateful for every moment I have!

The biggest change to my life with Covid 19, has been the closing of swimming pools in the community. Swimming has been a huge part of my life for over 50 years and this virus had taken this from me. The longest absence from swimming, up until now, was child delivery, 6 weeks out of the water 4 times. It will be so amazing to have a real swim. I wish I lived near the ocean to be able to play in the water now beaches are open.

Talk begins and ends with COVID thoughts contend with growing numbers those infected, rates of dying will it take a global virus to recalibrate the world with kindness? Sunday: what’s left furniture with legs going nowhere tempting to add two more to theirs stretch out and let Corona run unstoppable a morning walk with unexpected pleasure, neighbours never met rising up from sofa beds and desks to cycle jog stroll and step physically distant on this new-found common ground profound as the friend who calls it resurrection I’m keeping busy indoors while my resident spider continues her outside task of spinning a curtain across my kitchen window intricate pattern wispy thin catching glints of autumn sun it’s my lunchtime but as yet she has none waking now to silence even the currawong whose droppings adorn my courtyard paving has forgotten her song hearing the earth murmur it’s the depth of wordless keening creatures grieving our self-inflicted blindness our planet lamenting safe to touch to kiss and hug to commute with strangers on a train and not be bothered by a shoulder brush? safe to shop to meet for lunch to shake another person’s hand no longer anxious over human touch? an answer comes this too will end but when has it ever been completely safe to kiss to hug and trust another with our scars to shed our masks and bare our pummeled hearts? becalmed but not calm unsure of ever reaching my shore fearful of a sudden wind tipping me into chaos anxious of becoming less not more from somewhere near my centre comes a prompt about control choose what brings renewal jettison what is dead let go of yesterday it’s time to trim the sail

We can't go back, can we? I was running around from errand to errand before this. From event to event. From work to play. From the gym to the pub. I don't miss much of it at all. All the FOMO is gone. I'm realising that what matters I already have. I can drink my cup of coffee, in my favourite ceramic mug, on the balcony and watch the sun come up. The morning air is cold now, my coffee mug warms my hands and the heat seeps into me. I listen to music in my bedroom and dance around. Flailing, jumping, skipping, shaking. I feel like the performative element of our lives has been taken away, and when it's all stripped back, we've only got ourselves to be with. It's just me in my undies dancing in my room, and honestly it feels so joyful. Simple uncomplicated joy.

I am 72, female and live with my husband in Salamander Bay. We have been self isolating for 6 weeks and I have found a new sense of calm. Instead of having busy mornings rushing off to the gym 5 days a week I now go for a walk before doing an online class with our generous gym instructors who are keeping us oldies fit by doing classes on Zoom. Easy! We can all have a chat after which keeps us connected and we are very grateful for this. My daughter had forbidden me to go out to shop and said she would do it for me while working from home, keeping her household running and home schooling 3 children AND driving the 30 minutes to deliver my shopping. I declined her offer and said I would do home delivery, but I never did! The only other times we leave the house is to walk twice daily and shop for groceries. We have discovered so many beautiful walks in our area that we would otherwise not have found. Medical appointments have been by phone. After leading very busy lives socialising, attending the gym (me) and playing golf (my husband) I have been surprised how accepting I have been at staying home and actually enjoying my time. I am reading, doing craft projects, tackling jigsaws and my house and garden are now clean and organised. Having 6 grandchildren who live fairly close I have missed seeing them on a regular basis but thanks to facetime and phones we have been able to keep up to date with how they are coping. In April/May we have 5 birthdays and thanks to modern technology we have been able to celebrate via Zoom, such fun! It is all good!