I am 71 and when the rules came out in February urging those over 65 to stay at home because they were vulnerable I took a step back and looked at myself. I have never thought of myself as old and vulnerable before so it was a bit of a shock to be seen li

I am 71 and when the rules came out in February urging those over 65 to stay at home because they were vulnerable I took a step back and looked at myself. I have never thought of myself as old and vulnerable before so it was a bit of a shock to be seen like that. Before COVID-19 my life was full. I did a few days a month casual teaching, I bushwalked, kayaked or cycled every weekend with friends. I was the organiser of our bushwalking group. I was also active on Ten Forty Matrix Committee, which organises events, camps and information for NSW Lesbians over forty. I was one of the key organisers for fund raising and running events. In addition I had been in a book group for over 20 years and played cards regularly with a group of friends. My subscriptions to Belvoir Theatre and The Australian Ballet were supplemented by one off arts activities and movies. I also enjoyed a regular monthly dinner with my group of diners. Most of this continued until...

Suddenly all gone on 16 March. But by then I was already locked down. Over the weekend of 7-8 March I was struck down with the most painful sciatica attack. I somehow dragged myself to the Opera House as I was on a panel for International Women's Day, All About Women program. I ended up being helped to the taxi after in a wheel chair. The next day in more pain I was in an ambulance for the first time in my life on my way to emergency.

Quite reasonably the hospital decided since I could hardly move, lived alone, and was 'vulnerable' I should stay in overnight. This turned into three nights. I tottered home with my walking stick on 12 March.