Xtina in Oz

During the old normal, my alarm went off at 5:45 and I caught the bus at 7. I would hand my keep cup to the barista at The Sweet Spot who knows my name and order. I’d walk into work by 7:50 and have nearly an hour to get settled and ready before homeroom at 8:45. On a full day I’d teach 5 classes of 19-27 students, a mix of English and Drama. I like the variety of this set up. On Tuesdays after school I would catch the bus to the Waverley Library and tutor a Year 7 student. On Thursdays I’m on bus duty and would stand at the gate to the school holding back the throngs of students until their bus is called by my colleague standing down at the street. On Friday night we’d maybe order some takeaway and have a bottle of wine, or go to the pub for a burger or a Parma. Saturday morning was my spin class, which I had finally gotten myself into a routine with going. Now, post COVID19.... My alarm goes off at 6:30, and I catch a 7:20 bus. Yes, still going to work (so far) although I really don’

2404 confirmed cases.  7 deaths. Today a parent told me her and her husband had both just lost their jobs. Suddenly the Strictly Ballroom presentation seemed insignificant.  I know teachers have been unhappy and vocal, but I am very grateful to have a job. Weddings have been postponed, funerals are reduced to no more than 10 people, and small businesses are unlikely to survive what the government says could be 6 months of severe social distancing. Also I'm 5 points of contact away from a confirmed case now - the link between the case and my life has been cleared so that's more good news. Let's remember despite being told to be alone that we're all in this together. 

As of 3 pm yesterday we had 1709 cases. Yesterday morning the NSW premier announced that while schools would remain open, parents are urged to keep their children home if possible. All instruction is to move online. Any children presenting at school will be receiving supervision not face to face teaching. I’m now 4 points of contact away from somebody diagnosed with COVID19. 

I left work Friday feeling very frustrated, and now I’m waiting for my Monday morning bus feeling the same. Over the weekend, the Prime Minister scolded the nation and expressed disappointment people were still going to the beaches, pubs and cafes. Of course the pubs and cafes were supposed to be abiding by new restrictions on people and space.  Then, Sunday afternoon came the news that NSW and Victoria state premiers were announcing a lockdown for all non-essentials in the next 48 hours. Victoria announced it would start school holidays from Tuesday, and NSW said ‘stay tuned’ But by the time I went to bed Sunday night, the news was ALL fun stuff would be shut from noon on Monday - gyms, pubs, etc. restaurants and cafes for takeaway only. But apparently the Prime Minister has ‘walked back’ the state premiers from an actual lockdown. And I’ll be surprised if NSW defies him and closes schools. So, occupying a venue with fewer than 100 people is too risky, you cannot sit down and eat a me

Well, as of Saturday night there were over 1000 confirmed cases. So nearly double since my first post on Thursday. New restrictions were announced on Friday but also thousands of people packed Sydney’s beaches on Friday during a heat wave. So now Bondi Beach is clasped. (This is why we can’t have nice things) I went to the gym yesterday morning, where class sizes had been drastically reduced. No more than 10 in spin class :  We opted for takeaway for dinner, trying to support local business as long as we can. The waiter who handed us our food (and brought the credit card reader outside to us) asked us to stay well and look after ourselves. Of course tomorrow morning I’ll get my bus to work as usual, and interact with probably over 100 people face to face. I understand the enormous cost that comes with closing schools but I’m not sure how ’social distancing’ applies with these numbers. I selfishly want to at least get through this week so my Drama students can perform their assessments.

709 cases. 7 deaths.  More restrictions on social distancing with a recommended 1 person per 4 metres. Still not observable in school, even with the enormous rate of absenteeism. Bus drivers are being granted more of a safety zone than teachers  Maybe I’m spiralling because I’m tired and hot and hungry, but if the government say one more time that “ the risk to children with this virus is very low,” I’m gonna punch somebody . If they are worried that children will transmit this virus to the larger community , they are basically admitting they don’t care if they transmit it to teachers. I guess we’re not part of the community? 

It’s March 19. There are over 500 confirmed cases of COVID19 in Australia as I type this. 6 people have died. Travel bans are in place and getting more restrictive every day it seems. Indoor gatherings of over 100 people have been banned, less than a week after gatherings of 500 were banned. Schools are still open. This morning I noticed my bus drive past 3 stops in a row with nobody waiting. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that - it’s a busy bus route at almost any time of day.  Of course the panic buying started about 2 weeks ago- first toilet paper, then dried and tinned goods, then meat, pharmaceuticals and now... well just about everything. I always seem to be a couple days ahead of the next wave and so am not too worried about going without anything. Australia is an incredibly resource rich country and most of the food is local. The mood is weird. The Prime Minister keeps saying ‘life is not like it was before’ but my days are still the same, just threaded through wit