My Role as a Citizen in 2020, and What Life is Like for Me at 77 ACT cases

There are 77 confirmed cases in the ACT. I've stayed at home almost all weekend. Tomorrow, I will visit a vulnerable friend for a few nights, to leave that relationship at peace. I really am torn about it. We were very close, but she is very hard to deal with, and it hurts a lot to even be with her. Also, I feel like I am too late with girls. This is the door closing... "Too slow, Jan."

I went to Woolworths Mawson during the weekend, and it was disorganised at the least. People all had different views, and I got within 1.5 meters of near everyone. They had sneeze guards up to protect the cashier girls, but no hand sanitiser as you went in. I am not wearing a mask. The masks have to go to the doctors. I am doing my bit by staying at home. I'd like to say I'm doing fruit picking, but obviously that's not in my power, being long-term unemployed, and a liability. I need to study. I need to stay at home. I need to allow the professionals to do their job. If anyone doesn't like it, that's their opinion.

I think people should write a shopping list before they go into the supermarket. I also think it is time for doctors and nurses to have free run of the supermarket on weekends. I hate authority, but that's a reality. At the start, I was going to pay a web designer to make a website, which organises regular people, who are well to deliver groceries to the sick. If a person had had the disease, they were the new people to run the place. I am not a leader. I am a follower. I have no choice anymore. I heard something... "Together, Apart." I joke, but this is hard. I will make mistakes, regarding putting myself and others at risk, but I will learn from them.

I think they should make a channel that just has text affirmations on it. Stuff like, "Thanks for being at home." "77 cases in the ACT." "Make a Shopping List." "If you are sick, don't even go out for Groceries." "If you are Sick and You think it's serious, Contact Here." "If you are lonely, contact here." Ah, and, "Watch DVDs, read a book, listen to the radio, or Lie under the blanket, if you are bored."

That's all I can say right now. Their is change in the air. I can feel it's different, but it isn't that different. The big change is I am not going to uni, I am studying online. In addition, there is fear on the streets. People don't want to get germs. I think it's a mistake that KFC and takeaway are still open, but we need them for the economy. If one cook gets sick, he could pass it on to tens of people. Oh well, I don't know the facts. However, I know I've got sick before off fast food. There was once a crook person working at Stockman's Chips, who gave me a terrible flu. I am ready for whatever comes. I am scared of pneumonia, but I know I should be able to make it through. That's the real test. If I get sick, I have to call Lifeline to check in. I want to give it to 00.000 people.

I have to visit my ex-girlfriend. I said I would. When I have, she is on her own, and the lockdown begins. There is no one to judge this action. I just saw the pictures on the news of people in hospital, without family around them. I can't be the hope in anyone's life, but I've said it. She is very, very difficult. When it's over, all I have to do is listen to her on the phone. Talking on the phone is a blessing and curse. It is a multi faceted way of being idle and also a tool. Now, you look at me from a safe time when the world has recovered, the economy is stable, and could a new world blossom from this? I know the government strives for the status quo, but will people stay home after this, and a new social awakening arise? Or will there be sadness? I fear it.

27/03/20 Pandemic Update

62 cases in ACT.
They've got the military in, in Sydney.
Touching surfaces is another thing
to be careful about.

Today, I walked with Rob, and went for a run. Rob and I stayed 1.5 meters away from each other. Actually, I went to get a Mobile Broadband dongle. I did my bit by not having KFC today. I had rice, 2 pieces of frozen fish, and half a handful of frozen peas instead. I have to tell mum to spend that money, because there may be inflation. Her money won't be able to buy as much product as now. I'm getting shoes etc. with my Economic Stimulus money. It's a relief I don't have to talk to anyone. We'll see; maybe it will be worse than I thought. It's late. I'm tired. We'll see, where these uncharted social and economic waters take us.

Number of Cases, and What Life is Like at 53 Cases

We are up to 53 cases in the ACT, and 1,219 in New South Wales. It's going up steadily. I'm getting a cat. I'm also going to sleep over for a while at a ex-girlfriend's flat, who I think is at risk. I'm going to spend some time at her house. Her friend really shouldn't go to Sydney. Those buses are a germ cage in regular times. I've gone out to go to the RSPCA and to get money out for a cat. At some point I am going to have to limit going outside all together. One less case, is going to save this. They think the economy will return to normal after it's happened, eventually. I also heard that things won't be the same for quite a long time. I wonder if in seven days Sydney will have 2,000 cases. Everyone is ignoring what the government said. There are just as many cars on the road. They seem to bank up at the lights. Can we trust Australians - the same Australians that hoarded toilet paper - to self-isolate correctly. There are idiots out there saying that it's hype, I'm sure. "Oh, I'll go out because all this Corona Virus stuff is an exaggeration." I am staying the hell at home when I get it. I'm going to tell everyone, in the authorities. I'm going to tell the Corona Virus Hotline. I'll call Lifeline if it gets bad, and just talk and get reassurance off the counselor. This is a long term thing. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has allowed retail shops to remain open. That has to stop. In 7 days, the retail will be shut, I predict. I suppose that it will make the job search stunted and consistent over a long time. Yes, we have very long social security ques. I think that the grocery store is different too. My life hasn't changed much, but it is apparent that things have changed. The noise of the cars is different. There are more people at home here... I just hope everything works out... I have a lot of vulnerable friends and family... (They should start military recruitment to keep people working...)

What the Evening News Says

The news said we aren't looking at recession, we are looking at depression. The Prime Minister said this will be the hardest year of our life. I called my elderly mum today. She said she can't have me and my brother around anymore. She said, I'm quite happy. We all suffer. She loves her whippets. We all suffer from loneliness and isolation and maybe it isn't so bad for her. Did you know that isolation can hurt inside? It can be painful. I went to the grocery store, and my card was declined because I spent that money I spoke about in the last post on the diffuser fragrance. $71 dollars if I recall. I also had to pay my 3rd party insurance for my car. The cues of cafe workers trying to get payments was silly, but Centrelink's system went down. We are at 1300 cases in the whole of Australia. In other countries it looks bad. They put bloody bubbles over your head in hospital. I imagine you get itchy, and can't scratch... Those hospital rooms in Italy scared the shit through me. My mum or dad is not going to one of those places! Anyway, it's too soon to worry about this. In 2021 things will be better...

Frightened of the Isolation

I am worried about myself. I am worried my mum will die. I saw this hospital on the news. They had patients with bubbles over their heads. It seemed as if they were not allowed visitors. I'll suffer so badly if I am alone in the house, under curfew and my mum goes to hospital. It couldn't be worse than today. When you do university, always the hardest part is the anticipation. I am anticipating a curfew, but when the curfew starts, and I get further into it (say, 2 months into the 6 months), I'll be on my way. As well as university, winter is the same. It is toasty and warm at the moment, but I know the cold is coming. I think, "Why doesn't the cold just start?" When you get into winter, you actually start to enjoy it. The Prime Minister said that the borders are closed to people from other countries. I think every nation is doing this, and it is for the best. I think we are underestimating this, our people. Most of us are saying, we'll clear it. The economy, the isolation, the animosity, the greed, and the reduced choice at the supermarket will be tough. There is going to be chances for us to show compassion. I hope I take those chances. Let us not be ignorant. Let us feed each other from across the table. That's what you do in heaven, when the chopsticks are too long.

A Silly Buy from a Warm Heart

Tonight I spent $61 on a creativity mister, from an Australian website. It hurt. I'm usually very careful with money, but I kept saying it's for the economy. I think everyone who gets a bit of extra money should spend it. Let's get the spirit of this thing going. It was a very silly buy. I need to be careful, because maybe there will be economic struggle. I am not going to horde food, and I am going to spend my money, like they want us to. I'm leaving thoughts of the future by the wayside. I am scared of being hungry. Maybe it was a silly choice. What we need here is rationality. I shouldn't have panic bought. However, it is no big loss. Readers, let's get into the spirit of it. That is the lesson from this. A wise man can even learn off a fool. (That's a proverb, from the Biblical book of Proverbs).

The Government's Reaction to COVID-19

I am having difficulty figuring out how to spend my money within Australia. I'm going to buy pillows. That's not a bad idea, hey. I also like Sheridan towels. I didn't horde groceries, which the Prime Minister condemned today.

I have a survival pack though. I bought tinned fish, tinned beans, a packet of medium grain rice, and oats. I will also have coffee capsules coming in the mail for hot drinks, and cordial for cold, sweet drinks. It's starting to settle in now. They take it so seriously on the news, but I've acclimatized. The truth is we need to look after the elderly.

It is actually really good civilization has the car. It is convenient to drive to the grocery store. I suppose it exposes us to drive thru germs. If a chef gets COVID-19, hundreds of people will be exposed, so they should be recommending grocery shopping.

I really think the government are doing the right thing. They are trying to reduce economic impact. They are working hard studying all the stats in the world.They say: they'll keep the grocery stores open; they'll reduce the number of people allowed at gatherings; they are relying on self-isolation; and recommend social distancing.

I want to help out. Maybe those who have had the virus can join the workforce safely and replace the symptomatic ones. Maybe, if I get the virus early, I'll be indispensable as a chef or shelf packer. I'll advertise on Gumtree when I get the chance.

I've already got cabin fever, and I fear everyone will get cabin fever. Lucky this place is big. I'm a master at social-distancing. Books, petrol, and DVDs are the new currency. Board games are the new currency.

I came up with a cool idea. I'm already thinking of the end, and how we need a celebration. I've got an idea, which is kind of pervy. But it's cool and it's legitimate. I'll tell you tomorrow night, so stay tuned.

The Return of Survival of the Coolest

It's 10 pm at night and I'm thinking about Corona Virus. I think the answer is for people to read as much as they can. My favorite books are Les Miserables and Cannery Row. I also think kids should get educated on the internet. I also think that we need to figure out exactly what foods are important and grow them en mass. We also need to figure out what products are the new hot items, and tax the hell out of people who are making profit, and give it to the dying businesses. I don't pretend to be a expert, but maybe if an expert reads this, she'll come up with an idea, which won't be the same, but through association (in their mind), they've used their expert knowledge, and come up with an idea out of what I think. Anyway, I really have the best wishes for everybody in the world now. 💜💜💜💜