Hey Everyone,
As the only news story going around at the moment I guess I have to write about it as well. Here are my observations on what it’s like to live in Brisbane at this time, the local restrictions and how people’s lives have changed.
First of all, I am one of the lucky ones, so far. Many people have lost their jobs, their livelihoods and their health as a part of this crisis. Australia’s mortality rate, whilst quite low compared to other countries is still truly tragic.
I applaud the frontline health workers who are doing an incredible job in testing and treating the sick and vulnerable which must be an extremely stressful environment to work in. The number of tests already done in Australia is quite incredible.
So what’s it like now in BrisVegas?
Brisbane City
Everyone who can, is working from home with Brisbane City a virtual ghost town and only a sprinkling of people around in what is normally a thriving city. Cafés have closed as the demand is just not there for the daily latte anymore.
Transport
The movement of people to and from work, whether by private vehicles, buses or trains has dramatically dropped – the daily commute at the moment for many is one from the kitchen to the spare bedroom. Conversely, despite the social distancing guidelines there seem to be more people out for an early morning or lunchtime walk, run or cycle, which is recommended by the Health Department as ALL sport is cancelled and ALL gyms are closed.
Groceries
Buying groceries is challenging – you can’t order home deliver anymore unless you are a vulnerable person (and fair enough as well), so you go to the supermarket as little as possible and try to touch only things that you have to. Disposable gloves, sanitizing shopping trolleys and carry baskets smothering hand sanitizer are all part of the normal shop now. But at least the stock levels have ‘started’ to normalize again after the initial round of toilet paper, hand sanitiser and pasta panic buying.
Social Distancing
What a concept which we hadn’t even heard of 2 months ago! When you are out at the shops it’s a different experience – there’s this pause when you are approaching someone else’s space, you politely look at them and then choose which path each of you will take to keep 1.5m away. Starting to look at people in a different way, but there’s still a sense that we are all in this together. I have tried to shop without a trolley or hand basket with mixed levels of success – I have a 2 bag system at the checkouts.
Working from Home (WFH)
I am fortunate enough to be able to work from home. Many people who travel regularly for work are already set up to work remotely (via VPN etc), but this is at a whole different scale and is the largest WFH experiment ever. Rather surprisingly, the systems and internet infrastructure seem to be working and rapid adoption of tools like Teams and Zoom will change the way we work forever.
I have full confidence that WFH will become much more prevalent and accepted in the new world and this will have flow on effects to many other areas.
Flatten the curve
The other phrase that we have heard so often lately and is basically what all of this is about – to try to slow the spread of COVID-19 as quickly as possible, through implementing measures that we couldn’t even imagine just 2 months ago. Australia seems to be winning this war for the moment, but there is so much uncertainty out there, and all we can do is hope that the trend continues.
New restrictions
Surfers Paradise Beach, my home away from home, is set to be closed to the public from tonight. I have spent so many hours on the beach, swimming in the surf or going for walks that’s its hard to imagine the beach could be closed. I have only previously seen it closed during extreme swell conditions in the aftermath of a cyclone.
Messages of hope
Most people recover
Whilst the virus can lead to brutal symptoms, thankfully most people do recover. As the number of new cases continues to fall in Australia it can be expected that the number of people recovering from the virus will also increase. I can only hope that this trend continues and wish those directly impacted and their families a speedy recovery.
Governments are trying to step up
Australia did not even recover from the bushfire crisis before we had to deal with this Pandemic. Despite the awful nature of the virus, the economic impact of the measures put into place are just as devastating for almost every business, from the local café to consulting firms, councils and everything in between. Government response to try to support the economy has been swift and decisive. There is so much more to be done to support the small business owners (not just their employees) whose livelihoods have been devastated by the measures put in place by the Government. Its great to support casual workers, but if the business they worked for doesn’t exist after the wages support is over, it will all be for nothing.
New cases are reducing
Seems to be positive news in Australia when you review the range of graphs and stats available. I am keeping up to date with this via the ABC news App.
Aussies are doing the right thing respectfully
There are exceptions to every rule, but for the most part the community are doing the right thing, being more patient when out and about, and maintaining social distance where possible. Some of the systems put in place at smaller retailers are a bit confusing if you are not used to it, so occasionally tensions arise between the staff and customers when the signs / arrows aren’t followed – I will know for next time right!
Taking it in our stride
It amazes me the way in which society can adapt to an event like this. In a way people can go about their lives, thinking nothing of heading to the local coffee shop in the morning or the supermarket just as they did before. On the opposite end of the spectrum, businesses at all levels are being completely overwhelmed. The elderly relatives in my family have also accepted their part in adapting to the isolation imperatives, with family gatherings off the cards for a while and finally taking on board grocery home delivery. I think it is partly that the communication from the experts and government in conjunction with the tragedies unfolding in other countries, in other words a combination of understanding and fear that has triggered a swift adaptation from the community. Technology has also played a role in getting information from a local and global sense almost instantaneously.
Find an outlet
MY best purchase (in hindsight) from this year has been an electronic drum kit. I didn’t think I would need it as much, but its currently set up in my home office – I can jump over there, play a tune and be back at my desk before I am missed! These little distractions are essential to avoid getting cabin fever!
And finally, we are starting to wonder what the new world will look like…
- Will we travel like we did? Australians love to travel!
- Can we attend a concert or the next Broncos NRL game?
- What will the psychological legacy look like? Will we ever shake hands again?
- Will there be a renewed sense of patriotism and community once we get through it together?
These questions can keep you up at night if you think about them too much.
A sense of one world
They say that it’s a connected world, and never has that been more evident than in the last 3 months. The effect of each of our actions can impact many people in positive and negative ways. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if this could lead to a broader appreciation of how our individual actions and motivations can directly impact the lives of others.
Please stay safe and well!
