< Back
Date
I am a 76 year old female. I live on the Central Coast. I am fully vaccinated. I have no children, grandchildren, partner or pet and live alone. The only close relative I have is my only sister, who is 5 years older and lives also alone in Sydney. During my spare time I work with the Red Cross. I am normally and outgoing person who loves life and am thankful to live in a safe and wonderful country.
When the lockdown first started I was happy to relax and let the world slide by. I enjoyed the feeling of no pressure of having to be anywhere such as birthdays and other social events. Also, I was not emotionally blackmailed by family and friends. I wanted to get on with jobs outside but unfortunately, it was winter so I could not paint or do gardening, however, I did finally finish one of my family tree which has been ongoing for over 30 years and will now complete the other 3 families. Any wonder that all my relatives have left it to me to complete.
Knowing what I have been forced to learn during this lockdown has been an epiphany, as I felt incompetent before and was awaiting help from other people such as librarians and various sources. This has made me realize that like other problems in my life I have only me to solve it: once learnt I am then the fountain of knowledge for all.
At times I felt this lockdown was unfair for someone in my circumstances, as I was not allowed to have a visitor until the final weeks, only then, one consistent person within 5 kilometers. Also, my sister collapsed and was taken to hospital by ambulance. By the evening they put her into a taxi and sent her home, where she was once again alone. I was very concerned for her as she has several problems including her heart. I presumed I would be allowed on compassionate grounds to go to her, but was advised that I was not allowed to go to Sydney as she was in a hot area although, both being fully vaccinated however, if I had been in a relationship with someone I would be allowed to go. So I was not allowed to go unless I was having sex with a partner, where is the common sense in that!!!
As we are approaching our final days of lockdown, I am looking forward to be able to see and mix with family and friends again. There were moments when I was depressed and longed for the company of my sister and friends. One day I only utter 2 words all day. If it had not been for the phone and people who called me, I imagine my sanity would not be intact. I am thankful for modern technology.
Hopefully, we have all learnt from this disease and we learn to live with it as with the common cold.
When the lockdown first started I was happy to relax and let the world slide by. I enjoyed the feeling of no pressure of having to be anywhere such as birthdays and other social events. Also, I was not emotionally blackmailed by family and friends. I wanted to get on with jobs outside but unfortunately, it was winter so I could not paint or do gardening, however, I did finally finish one of my family tree which has been ongoing for over 30 years and will now complete the other 3 families. Any wonder that all my relatives have left it to me to complete.
Knowing what I have been forced to learn during this lockdown has been an epiphany, as I felt incompetent before and was awaiting help from other people such as librarians and various sources. This has made me realize that like other problems in my life I have only me to solve it: once learnt I am then the fountain of knowledge for all.
At times I felt this lockdown was unfair for someone in my circumstances, as I was not allowed to have a visitor until the final weeks, only then, one consistent person within 5 kilometers. Also, my sister collapsed and was taken to hospital by ambulance. By the evening they put her into a taxi and sent her home, where she was once again alone. I was very concerned for her as she has several problems including her heart. I presumed I would be allowed on compassionate grounds to go to her, but was advised that I was not allowed to go to Sydney as she was in a hot area although, both being fully vaccinated however, if I had been in a relationship with someone I would be allowed to go. So I was not allowed to go unless I was having sex with a partner, where is the common sense in that!!!
As we are approaching our final days of lockdown, I am looking forward to be able to see and mix with family and friends again. There were moments when I was depressed and longed for the company of my sister and friends. One day I only utter 2 words all day. If it had not been for the phone and people who called me, I imagine my sanity would not be intact. I am thankful for modern technology.
Hopefully, we have all learnt from this disease and we learn to live with it as with the common cold.