This is not an easy post to write. How do I capture the immense angst, distress and isolation felt by people all over the world right now? How do I write with a voice that feels insignificant against those from China, Italy and Iran and so many other countries with higher numbers? I can't, and won't. In the few weeks where social distancing is being encouraged globally, online social connection are becoming of even greater importance. Through my phone I have the ability to check in on friends in Denmark who are in lockdown, see videos of them singing from the balconies in Østebro. I can talk to my friend who has just arrived from Indonesia and is in 2 weeks of mandatory quarantine. I can Facetime my boyfriend in Canada, when I don't know when he'll be coming home. I can check in on family in Finland, and see the situation there and make sure my grandma is being looked after. And as such, I'm writing this to keep everyone up to date on our current situation.
- Currently in Australia, there have been 298 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 5 deaths.
- In the world, there are 170,532 confirmed cases and 6,521 deaths.
- China's first death due to COVID-19 was on the 11th of January.
- On the 11th of March, it was declared a pandemic.
This virus is affecting everyone. Victoria has just declared a State of Emergency like many other regions. To update everyone on the current measures being taken in Australia, specifically Victoria and how this is affecting our lives at home:
1) The toilet paper hoarding. Panic buying is causing those who really need toilet paper to go without, and others to hoard tens of dozens of rolls. None of us are proud of it.
2) Panic buying in general.
3) Large events are being cancelled - such as Grand Prix, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival as well as the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
4) Many small business are struggling to stay open, and many will have closed down by the time this is over.
5) Christian's school has closed down, and they are commencing online teaching for the following month at least.
6) University curriculum is changing, including extending holidays and taking many lectures online, cancelling large tutorials. My brother has already had a two week delay to his semester starting, with many laboratory practicals cancelled and final exams are being moved online.
7) I have essentially lost my job as the workflow dries up and no shifts are available.
8) The University of Melbourne has shut all its sports facilities, meaning that for the foreseeable future I will not be training for hockey. Further the National Gallery of Victoria, the State Library and the Arts Centre Melbourne have all been closed.
9) All gatherings of over 500 people are to be cancelled.
10) Mandatory 14-day self-isolation for anyone entering Australia, with up to $20,000 fines to those non-compliant.
I expect many other places to be the same, but I can't stress enough how these inconveniences can't be compared to places where the death toll is high, and rising. We are lucky to have relatively few cases and to only really be feeling the ripples of this pandemic. In some strange way I can see the silver lining in all this - my generation is incredibly privileged and has never experiences something like this before. To feel this uncertainty, and to feel that not everything is in your control and you don't have all the choices and privileges you did before will, I believe, teach us a new perspective on life. We will learn to appreciate the society we live in and the opportunities we are provided with rather than taking everything for granted. We will learn to look beyond ourselves, and to protect those who need protecting by doing the right thing. So everyone stay home and wash your hands.
Stay safe and healthy everyone!
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