Apart from going to work at the prison 2 days a week I've only ventured outside the boundaries of our block to go to the beach where I can isolate myself. I've been emailing one of my closest friends daily but on Friday we both needed to chat with a real like-minded person (other than our partners and pets of course). We decided to meet up at a beach halfway between our 2 properties - about 40km apart.
My friend suggested in the email that we should wear the fine cotton masks she had crocheted for us and dress ridiculously. I reckon I dress like that most of the time (except when I'm at work) but it gave me the opportunity to wear this brilliant hat I found at the local Tip Shop (which I had washed of course).
We walked a long way up the beach together but maintained the required 1.5 metre distance. The sound of the ocean made it difficult to hear at times but we managed OK. The local ranger did a drive by so we were glad we were adhering to the rules. She waved and smiled, maybe because of the way we were dressed, or maybe because it was a bit absurd that we were sticking to social distancing rules on a deserted beach. No matter - these are strange times and there is still a lot to laugh about.
I'm a loner and mostly happy with my own company, but it was great to have a proper, long conversation with someone. There is a lot to process.
I'm struggling with the order to continue working in my 10 hour a week, 5-week rolling contract teaching job. I don't want to have to deal with the nightmare of Centrelink and I'm not sure they wouldn't refuse to give me the allowance anyway if I technically still have a job. Dealing with the projected implications of this virus in the prison system is huge enough without everything else that is going on outside of it. COVID-19 has presented all of us with many conflicting dilemmas. I really can't see things returning to 'normal' once it's over, and I hope it doesn't. Apart from the physical ones, I think there will be many psychological casualties as we are all forced to re-evalute our priorities, our belief systems and the way we live on the planet.
Photo: Jillian Green.
I *love* the idea of dressing ridiculously. I often see people walking by my house (I live on a deadend road so it's a nice quiet place for people from the nearby village to walk), and it would be much more fun if they were dressed in ridiculous costumes. Day 23 of quarantine here ....
ReplyDeleteYes jo(e), there's something quite subversive about dressing ridiculously in a culture so obsessed with fashion trends. Has your quarantine been ordered by your government? I'm guessing you are in the NE of the US? I'm not quite sure when we started self-isolating but it must be about that long as well. Thankfully we have 5 acres and live in a small coastal town so we can get outside at least. And it's never really cold enough in Australia to stop us doing that which, as we head into winter, is a bonus.
DeleteI love this photo! I'm so glad you and your friend met up for a walk and maintained the appropriate distance. I've been trying to get my sister to do that. She's alone in her house and doesn't get out much. I think it's important to consciously walk with friends. I hope you don't have to work and that you get your allowance.
ReplyDeleteI'm a loner too. That's why I love blogging. Getting to know people on our beautiful planet without actually having to talk to anyone. It's perfect!
Take care there and stay safe and healthy.
Thanks Robyn. Yes I can't say too much about my job online as I work for the government and have already been spoken to by security for a very obvious observation about the judicial system. I am so angry that I am seriously considering resigning, not because I am being forced to work, but because they expect my loyalty when they have kept me on rolling 5 week contracts for the last 4 years.
DeleteI said to my friend in an email recently that we must keep a lookout for anyone we think might be struggling psychologically. I worry that some people will become more and more isolated, maybe even get into a deep depression or get ill and won't be able to ask for help.
So wonderful to see you in that gorgeous hat Seashell!
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of chatter now about the abomination of a largely casualised education sector. Most plebs didn't get how widespread it is and now they do, thanks largely to the work of people like Sally McManus.
I've cruising through this and then lost my shit yesterday when Selkie broke a foot bone. I was quite surprised at how vulnerable I felt. By this morning, I realised I had a full jar of comfrey cream and taped up her foot, remembering that I didn't go to the hospital with broken ribs until I started coughing up blood. The comfrey worked a treat then. I learnt something yesterday, that I need to trust myself, now more than ever.
Haha Robin borrowed that hat for his Facebook profile pic. Looks better on me of course.
DeleteYes I sometimes think that if one little things doesn't go according to plan at the moment it will have much greater consequences than usual. So I understand the vulnerability thing. Great witchy response to a small crisis. Don't forget you can always ask for help though. I'm really bad at asking for help but I keep being reminded that it's really important for us all to remember we have support if we need it.
Love the hat! I've seen some fun photos on-line of people dressing in costume to grocery shop. Hey, if you've got an alligator mask, why not wear the entire outfit?!
ReplyDeleteWatched a program about a mental health clinic in NYC that serves low income people - mostly women. They have moved all their sessions to the telephone, because vulnerable women who have been living on the edge are REALLY on the edge now. Thank Goddess the clinic remains there to help.
I've also read that some hospitals in NYC are cutting physician's salaries in half because the hospital is running out of money. Of course they'll continue to work, but holy shit what a blow. In your case, getting treated like that, I would consider resigning. That's an awful way to treat vital personnel, and they do it because they can get away with it. Shame on them.
Stay safe and well!
Haha I love the idea of wearing an alligator costume Tara. And yes we are also grappling with domestic violence ramping up during this time. Pretty scary stuff.
DeleteWow I didn't realise NYC was running out of money. That's tough on doctors, especially at this time. I'll bet Donald isn't taking a pay cut. Are you in New York?
I could opt out of my job at the moment and claim the Jobseeker payment from the government, which is twice the usual dole payment. But I am also worried about my students - these people are some of the most disadvantaged in our society already and to abandon them now feels wrong. It's a horrible situation and making the right decision is impossible. I think this is adding to the stress for a lot of folk who are still working.