BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021

Subject: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 03:24 AM

Tomorrow the residents of New South Wales (NSW) will have Freedom Day, with some caveats to behave sensibly and still abide by some COVID restrictions.

In Newcastle, Oz, we were suddenly and without proper warning placed into lockdown on Friday 6 August, so we've been stuck at home for nearly 10 weeks except for essential reasons to leave home, but some Sydney areas have been locked down for much longer.

Today our state of NSW has reached 72.8% double doses of vaccination for everyone aged 16 years and over, however the percentage of double doses is not evenly spread across the state due to a number of factors.

Because we reached the 70% target this week the people who are double-vaxed in NSW have been granted some freedoms, starting from midnight tonight.

This comes with a lot of potential problems. I'm hoping with all my heart that everyone will act sensible with a high level of working together as a community to prevent high outbreaks. Judging on past history, there will still be enough hedonistic, self-entitled yahoos who will put the community in danger, so - here's the phrase which says it all in this COVID crisis - "we're not out of the woods yet".

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 05:13 AM

latest from the state government
NSW business owners cautious about reopening after months of COVID lockdown
Covid-19 vaccine Australia rollout tracker by state
October 11 isn’t “Freedom Day” in NSW. It is a reminder of all we have lost

a friend described 11th Oct as (quote) euphemistically being called "Freedom Day" (end quote)

Greater Sydney lockdown started 23rd June - so we moved our June concert to a spare weekend in October. which is a busy month with 2 festivals ... & lockdown extended so the festivals in October cancelled, & then lockdown extended to 10th October.

The hall where my club meets is open for events that do not include SINGING INDOORS, so bye-bye to an October concert. Tho conditions will change as life gets "freer" & we might be able to have our 4th Sat November concert.

But there are still lots of anti-vaxxers, nutters & careless (carefree??) folk around so I'll stick to my masks & distancing. In the past few days some of these carefree/no worries folk were walking about without masks. Some merely had them under their chins.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Mrrzy
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 09:27 AM

Pretty sure Tazzie is staying closed. No visit for me yet.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 09:55 AM

one day ...

here's a link to keep you up to date - Oz covid coverage

Tasmania News

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 04:23 PM

Thanks for the links, Sandra. The article "October 11th isn't 'Freedom Day'..." says most of what we are probably all feeling.

In September here in Newcastle - I'm not sure if it was the same in Sydney - we could gather outdoors in a group of 5 fully vaccinated people with restrictions on areas we were allowed to travel within, so our music session started up again. It has been my job to organise the gatherings by email to make sure that we worked within the guidelines, and that everyone in our session group had a chance to come to at least one session - except for one of our members who lives in a neighbouring local government area (LGA) but too far away from the border with Newcastle LGA. Complicated. We compensated for the restrictions by holding a session every week instead of just twice a month.

Suddenly my sense of mental balance started coming back into a normal range. Playing music with my friends has been a mainstay of my life for most of the last 40 years. Life without that was unimaginable, and I never even contemplated that there would be a reason not to be able to do it as and when we chose.

Today is the first day that we will be gathering with no limits on numbers or distances travelled as long as we are all fully vaccinated. I'm fairly sure the rain will clear - mostly - by lunchtime but I don't think rain will stop us. As I said a couple of years ago at the wedding of one of our music friends, if it rains on your wedding day during a severe drought it is a blessing not a curse so I think that that applies to gatherings of friends as well on Freedom Day.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Oct 21 - 08:00 PM

I've been emailing friends with my plans - Libraries are open & tomorrow I'll visit one council library to return my books & get more, Friday the craft group meets up & I'll also drop in to my other library to return their books & get more. I need new books to read. Last year I re-read all my (small) fiction library & gave away about half of it. I need more library books!

As I said to a friend - I'm going travelling this week!!!! Carrying my double vacc certificate as I have a sensible phone, not a smart phone.

Across 3 local govt areas within 6 or 7 kms, rather than the old limit of 5km & in own LGA, always masked & socially distancing

sandra (with fingers crossed)

Some COVID-19 restrictions in NSW ease today for fully vaccinated people

Sydney's 1st taste of 'freedom' will offer 'living with COVID' lessons for oz

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Hrothgar
Date: 11 Oct 21 - 06:11 AM

Not letting you into Queensland yet, either.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 11 Oct 21 - 01:52 PM

Thanks Hrothgar. I wouldn't let us in there yet either.

Personally I think the decision to open up NSW at this stage is a bit rash. And like many of the decisions made about COVID in Oz, I think that politicians are playing to their fan base and also showing public approval for decisions made by other pollies in the same political party while condemning decisions made by the other party regardless of how sensible or commendable those decisions have been. I don't think COVID decisions should be made mainly on economic grounds. I think the safety of the people should be foremost. But all of that is just my opinion. I could say more, but...

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 12 Oct 21 - 05:08 PM

AMA vice-president slams NSW for putting health advice 'second' as COVID-19 restrictions ease but our new economics-focused bloke-in-charge is charging ahead with the next phase of easing restrictions - when we reach the 80% double dose vaccination target, which is expected to be this week.

Long live the almighty dollar! Even if lives are put at risk.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Oct 21 - 07:53 PM

the quote my friend again - (quote) euphemistically being called "Freedom Day" (end quote)

news article yesterday about rabid anti-vaxxer abusing the young female barista alone in a cafe. Naturally he posted his tirade, which brought lots of extra customers to the cafe, at least one travelled a distance to visit. It's a nearby suburb I've visited in the past & if I had reason to be there, I'd also visit the cafe.

But I'm only going to places I need to visit - libraries, & craft group & sometime soon I'll visit a dept store to get something I can't get on click & collect.

masked & socially distancing!

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: JennieG
Date: 12 Oct 21 - 08:54 PM

I am waiting eagerly for the mask mandate to end. I panic and cannot breathe in a mask (don't judge, it's stuff from when I was younger.....some things never leave you, you know) so have stayed home for several months unless I have had a medical appointment. Himself has been doing the shopping/running around for us.

What I dislike most of all is the mistrust and cruelty that this pandemic has brought up. Families separated and unable to meet before a loved one's death, children kept away from their parents, people kept away from their own homes despite having correct paperwork, things like that. One of our sons lives in Canada, his wife is Canadian - we don't know if we will be able to be in the same room ever again, which makes me sadder than I can say.

I'm pleased to see the world opening up. Covid will, I suspect, always be with us in one form or another and we can't stay shut down forever.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 12 Oct 21 - 11:07 PM

Essential shopping. Five different kitchen utensils broke within a couple of weeks and I was denied entry to a big department store (Big With blue letters) because the security guys at the door said that kitchen utensils are not essential. Well, having to cook three meals a day is essential because eating out was a no-no, so...!!??

But even worse, the wife of one of my music friends was turned away at the door when she told them she needed to buy underwear. When they said undies aren't essential, her counter-arguments unfortunately fell on deaf ears.

Jennie, I can relate to your breathing issue with masks. One advantage for me of the pandemic and hand sanitising and social distancing has been not having any sinus attacks in the last two years. Who'd have thought that? I now have a plan from this year forward to be sinus attack free.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 12 Oct 21 - 11:11 PM

Also, Jennie, I'm assuming you are still in New England area. I finally found a site where I could see the Hunter New England Health - COVID stats with details on specific areas and suburbs within each LGA. I like to know how close the threat is to my suburb and so far over the whole couple of years there have only been a handful of cases in my suburb.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: JennieG
Date: 12 Oct 21 - 11:44 PM

Helen, can you buy cooking utensils at your supermarket? Ours has some - we can get basics, even if not gourmet. Ditto undies, a small selection but still possible; certainly to tide you/your friend over until more shopping is allowed.

My breating problem is a mental health thing, not sinus or asthma. It dates from an abusive childhood.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 13 Oct 21 - 12:10 AM

Jennie, I did find what I needed at the supermarket, so problem solved and now we can shop anywhere for whatever we want. It was just a funny/weird thing that the utensils all broke within a couple of weeks.

I did wonder whether the problem with your breathing might not be a physical issue.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 13 Oct 21 - 12:20 AM

Sorry, I meant to say, I did wonder whether the problem with your breathing might be a physical issue with a mental health issue as its origin.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: JennieG
Date: 13 Oct 21 - 02:57 AM

Helen, I can't stand having things over my face whether it be a sheet in bed, or a mask. It's easier to stay home than to answer questions; my doctor knows, but I don't have a medical exemption from wearing a mask.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 13 Oct 21 - 03:55 AM

Yes, I can only imagine how difficult it would be to have to explain over and over again.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Donuel
Date: 13 Oct 21 - 06:39 AM

The US is planning to allow tourism for vaccinated visitors in November.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Oct 21 - 08:06 AM

in the middle of the pandemic, a new cheap airline has just started up for regional domestic travel, & the international companies are raring to head out.

Meanwhile my travel plans are fixed upon visiting a friend in the next Local Government area on my way home from Craft group, which meets just up the road from her!

Only 2 more sleeps!!!

big travel plans

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Donuel
Date: 14 Oct 21 - 12:18 PM

Do feel more free yet?

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 14 Oct 21 - 07:03 PM

This week when I've been shopping in the supermarket I've noticed that people seem to be pooling around aimlessly in the aisles like lost sheep. They have the appearance of people who have forgotten what they came for but they move slowly in random circles and seem totally oblivious of other people nearby so they walk straight out in front of us without any recognition or reaction. This isn't any one kind of person. Old, young, whatever. It has been very difficult to navigate around them while maintaining social distancing because it is difficult to predict the path they will take. All in slo-mo, like they are walking around underwater.

I've been predicting that the same thing will happen while driving and this morning I was proven right. I turned into a street and there was a car stopped in the lane (single lane, suburban street) so I waited patiently for the driver to do whatever s/he was planning, e.g. pull in to a parking space, or drive forward, and then s/he began inching forward (a snail would have won this race) then stopped, slowly edged toward the parking space, stopped, moved forward again, stopped, so I decided to drive - cautiously - around and go on my way and then s/he starting moving into the lane in front of me - without indicating - and I blasted her/him on my horn because I didn't really trust that the driver knew I was right next to her/him, and after I went past s/he - finally - indicated and turned right into the street across the road.

Luckily all this occurred in a 40 km per hour area, but I don't think that the other vehicle was doing much more than 5 km per hour.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 10:17 AM

My Tazzie sister reports going INTO lockdown.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 10:56 AM

Hobart region enters three-day lockdown after COVID hotel quarantine breach

is your sister near where the "uncooperative" man was found?

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 01:53 PM

Helen I think you could direct a zombie movie with your obervations.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 03:52 PM

Donuel, I think it would be a documentary not fictional. This is real life. :-D

My thoughts are tending towards the vague theory that everyone has been suffering anxiety and panic while in lockdown and we all expected to feel a sense of relief and freedom, but then the release is overwhelming and it freezes our brains. Like post-adrenalin reaction. Adrenalin kicks in to save our lives, fight or flight, but when it is all over and we are safe the body reacts to that shot of adrenalin by shutting down.

I've told this story before, but I remember seeing TV footage of a young girl who was stuck up to her chest in a mudslide and rescuers worked for hours and finally pulled her free. As soon as she was free, she suffered a heart attack and died. She had calmly endured the whole event but died when it was all over. One theory proposed, as I recall, was that while she was in the mud there was immense pressure on her heart, and when she was freed the pressure was suddenly released and her heart began racing. I always wondered whether the sudden joy of her release after her long ordeal also added to her physical trauma.

Mrrzy, here is another article about Tassie (pronounced Tazzie - like Aussie is pronounced Auzzie - go figure)

Half of Tasmania shuts down due to 'difficult' COVID quarantine breacher

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Mrrzy
Date: 16 Oct 21 - 04:24 PM

Yup,
her place is outside Hobart.

Thanks for the Tassie correction.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 16 Oct 21 - 06:06 PM

Back in January 2003 Hubby & I went on a lovely trip to Tassie. We took the car on the ferry from Melbourne and arrived at Devonport, then drove inland and down to a weekend folk festival near the southernmost tip of Tassie at Cygnet (southwest of Hobart) then stayed in Hobart for a couple of days, then drove up the east coast and arrived at another weekend folk festival at the top of Tassie at George Town. Then we drove down to the centre and stayed a couple of days at Lake St Clair on Cradle Mountain. Hubby did a bit of trout fishing, caught nothing, but it was a lovely spot, very peaceful and beautiful, then we drove back to Devonport and boarded the ferry again and then drove all the way up the east coast of Oz mainland back to Newcastle.

It was a memorable trip. When we can travel again (post-COVID) and when we no longer have a cat (we don't want to leave her at a cat boarding place) we'll go down there again, and we'll see the west coast as well, including the Franklin River area where a huge greenies revolution took place, altering the course of political history in Oz.

1982: Protests against Franklin Dam in Tasmania lead to formation of the Greens

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 Oct 21 - 07:56 PM

Mrrzy - wow! what an amazing place.

Helen, since before I retired in 2007 I wanted to go to Tasmania, to follow an old book published in the 60s that showing interesting survivals, ruins & traces of lost settlement. One pic showed an overgrown channel cross a weedy piece of land, once upon a time it connected to a mill.

I wanted to see what still existed, surely the small 2-storey stone cottage with 4 blocked up windows was renovated? Would other interesting sites still be there? but alas I don't drive & no driving friends were interested in driving me across Tasmania! And of course no tour companies visit so many different places.

Now I have too many sore bits to travel far, poor me!

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 16 Oct 21 - 10:40 PM

Maybe you could book some scenic helicopter tours. LOL

There were lots of old stone buildings and bridges. Hobart has some lovely old stone houses too. Salamanca Place in Hobart reminded me of The Rocks in Sydney. I mentioned in another thread about the town of Sheffield with lots of lovely murals. All the fields and trees were green. How I imagine the UK looks, instead of brown and dried up during droughts or burnt out during the bushfires.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Oct 21 - 05:22 AM

helicopter? I wanna see them close up!

this afternoon I went on a picnic! I contacted my bubble buddy about visiting & she was picnic-ing with people I knew so I joined them.

WE SANG IN THE PARK!! It was wonderful.

Picnics with up to 30 fully vaccinated people people are allowed & we were 10, good company, yummy food (cheese!) & good songs, sometimes silly songs. Several songs were variations of songs we all knew - created as the singer was singing! There are some talented songwriters in the Redfern Shanty Club https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/mar/30/a-lot-of-noise-a-lot-of-joy-sydney-sea-shanty-club-singers-raise-the-roof-in-raucous-reunion   ps.This article was published 7 months ago when Sydney came out of our previous lockdown.

Blickifier won't accept the entire URL - weird, it cuts off after "roof" I tried 3 times.

My folk club might be able to meet late November IF things keep opening up, but at the moment the hall does not allow indoor singing & people attending other events have to be masked. And of course, there are restrictions on attendees, 35 instead of the normal 100.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 17 Oct 21 - 05:52 AM

No, I meant you could fly in and elegantly alight at your destination, then fly to the next place on your itinerary. Less travel time so easier on your sore bits.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 17 Oct 21 - 05:57 AM

There's a cute little red helicopter in Newcastle which does joy flights over the harbour. One day I'm going to book myself a flight.

Aero Logistics Helicopters

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Rain Dog
Date: 17 Oct 21 - 07:08 AM

Based on my experience here in the UK, some people will take a while to get used to the lifting of restrictions. It does appear to vary with age, older people might be a bit more wary of mixing with others.

Of course you do have one major advantage, your climate. It does make meeting outdoors a lot easier. We had a cold, wet and windy spring this year. When we re-opened this year, pubs and restaurants could only serve customers outside. I did visit the pub a few times, sitting in the garden, well wrapped up, in the dark, chatting with a few other hardy souls. I was glad when they finally allowed customers back inside again.

Each of us has to make our own minds up. Stay safe and respect others. It is good to meet up with friends. Some people have found the isolation hard to deal with.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Oct 21 - 08:26 AM

We only need to keep masks on indoors, but I still walk out the door masked, & wander the streets masked, as do many other people.

It felt odd to sit at picnic tables unmasked, & some people walking thru the park (inner city) & on the nearby footpaths kept their masks on.

The anti vaxxers are a very vocal, very small minority, & covid delta is around, so I still prefer to be masked & socially distanced on most occasions.

Restrictions started relaxing on 10th Oct, a week ago, which a friend described as "euphemistically referred to as 'Freedom' day" & many folks have taken it literally. I have 2 friends who have barely left home in the past 2 years, both have other medical conditions (don't most of us Olde Phartes?)

Some years back the Govt announced an anti-terrorist campaign - "Be alert but not alarmed"

a good motto for today.

sandra

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/17/australias-polio-survivors-theyve-forgotten-that-were-still-here

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Oct 21 - 08:43 AM

Melbourne is newborn again.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Helen
Date: 17 Oct 21 - 04:12 PM

I can't imagine how the school children are feeling about going back to school. Especially the youngest ones who didn't have time to get used to being in school and they'll have to adjust to a normality which is not really normal for them.

At least us Old Phartes remember what normality used to be like.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: JennieG
Date: 17 Oct 21 - 05:13 PM

The One And Only Grandkid (who turns 7 in December, lives in Canberra) goes back to school next week. Before we know it Christmas holidays will be upon us, so he will be back at home again. His formal schooling, which only began at the start of last year, has been very disrupted. His mum is a teacher so she has been able to keep him going.....but I think they are all getting tired of this.

I'm just glad my kids are grown and long gone.

Subject: RE: BS: NSW, Oz - lockdown ends 11 Oct 2021
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Oct 21 - 07:08 PM

One of the recent articles about life in lockdown showed a mother sitting at the kitchen table teaching her 5 year old with her other children (she has 4 under 5 years old!) grinning & smiling from the sidelines - so cute!, but the caption said they were constantly wanting her to play with them & teaching was difficult.

Then there was a cartoon after the big (Sydney) covid hoax/freedom march back in July - a pocket cartoon by Golding (master of details expressed by a few lines) showing a large parade of determined men & women under a big banner saying "Homeschooling working parents against having the lockdown extended" & the freedom marchers are running away!