Day 31 Tuesday 21st April

I started this journal planning to do a daily entry for what was looming as the two critical weeks of the pandemic and our response to managing it. I kept going to monitor an eagerly awaited flattening of the curve and now I need to continue to see if snap-back means what it suggests. Also,Continue reading “Day 31 Tuesday 21st April”

Day 30 Monday 20th April

Many in the media are calling this pandemic the great disturbance. This talent for understatement is akin to an associate in South Carolina referring to the American Civil War as the great unpleasantness. With case numbers declining and deaths stable in Australia, calls for a “snap back” are becoming more insistent. Not, however, with theContinue reading “Day 30 Monday 20th April”

Day 29 Sunday 19th April

A sustained decline in new cases since mid-March suggests Australia has passed the peak of the pandemic. However, we must remain vigilant against new community clusters. It will be four more weeks before an easing of restrictions is seriously considered (mid-May). More testing (411,000 so far) and tracing will be conducted during this time. TheContinue reading “Day 29 Sunday 19th April”

Day 28 Saturday April 18th

Another beautiful sunny Autumn day in the Illawarra, making it impossible to be miserable. It is also the birthday of my late father, Winston (1916-2012). The Ruby Princess has still not left Port Kembla with its ailing crew; 2 passengers who returned to the US have died, along with the 19 in Australia. The QueenslandContinue reading “Day 28 Saturday April 18th”

Day 26 Thursday 16th April

The national cabinet met again today to discuss a coordinated approach to schools, which is a state responsibility. The safety of teachers at those schools that intend to remain open for term two was the primary concern. There has been further talk of planning “the pathway out” when restrictions may be eased. World leaders areContinue reading “Day 26 Thursday 16th April”

Day 25 Wednesday 15th April

The IMF (International Monetary Fund) Chief Economist says the world economy may shrink 3% in the worst recession since the Great Depression. It should, however, rebound 6% in 2021, conditional upon many unspecified factors. She predicts the Australian economy to shrink 6.7%. Job listings are already down 50%. Emerging conflict is brewing over whether schoolsContinue reading “Day 25 Wednesday 15th April”

Day 24 Tuesday 14th April

Another day of enforced inaction on our daughter’s birthday. A beautiful Illawarra Autumn day. A day when a beach romp with your dog is a highlight. A day that comes with knitted-brow warnings to be patient and careful, hosing down prospects of restrictions being gradually lifted. Despite the cash intervention of the Job-keeper initiative, weContinue reading “Day 24 Tuesday 14th April”

Day 23 Monday 13th April

We have been experiencing the flow and ebb of COVID-19 contagion, a gush then a trickle. Comparisons are made with the plight of other nations. The world coroner will later judge what role timely preparedness or ignorant delay played in their respective fortunes. 6,359 cases now for Australia, 46 new overnight and 61 deaths. ThereContinue reading “Day 23 Monday 13th April”

Day 21 Saturday 11th April

Day 21 Saturday 11th April Keep the lid on for 2 more weeks. Plan, but don’t anticipate. Dream, but don’t gamble. Hope, but don’t relax your vigil. Let’s batten down until at least Anzac Day. As the WHO chief reminded us today, “the way down can be as dangerous as the way up if notContinue reading “Day 21 Saturday 11th April”

Day 20 Friday 10th April

Bulletin points for Today, Good Friday: Don Harwin resigns NSW Arts ministry after copping a $1,000 fine for going to his holiday home on the central coast ahead of the Easter holidays, in contravention of a public health order to stay home to prevent virus spread. Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister, has been released fromContinue reading “Day 20 Friday 10th April”