Changing Times

Who could have imagined that lives around the world would be changed so much in such a short period of time? I had decided that I wasn't going to mention the dreaded virus in a blog post but then thought that it would be good to record how things are going at this point in time which might make for interesting reading down the track when life returns to some form of normality once again.

At least this kookburra I found in the pecan nut tree the other day wasn't bothered by too much apart from working out where his next meal is coming from.

 At the time of writing on Friday afternoon on the 3rd April, 28 people have died in Australia from the Corona virus and I believe a number of them were infected on cruise ships as were two locals who died in our local hospital who had been on the Royal Caribbean and the Ruby Princess. Such a tragedy for their families! 

One of the hundreds of butterflies that have appeared in our garden. 

Many of our Australian States, if not all, have closed their borders and travellers who try to cross into Queensland from New South Wales are being turned back if they don't have the appropriate paperwork to allow them in Queensland for work, etc. 

Each State seems to have their own restrictions but these are the ones here in Queensland at the present moment which were sent out yesterday by our local member:

Queensland’s border restrictions

From 12.01am tonight (Thursday April 2), Queensland’s border restrictions will be tightened to limit the spread of COVID-19. That means, anyone who isn’t a Queensland resident or who doesn’t hold a border pass, will not be able to enter Queensland.

Anyone with an exemption must have a border pass prior to crossing the border. Only freight transport services will be able to cross Queensland’s border without a border pass permit.

The restrictions will replace the current arrangements which enable people to cross the border provided they self-quarantine for 14 days.

For more information or to apply for a border pass permit, click here.

Latest closures and restrictions

In case you missed it, the following restrictions now apply in Queensland:

• Picnic areas, toilet facilities, lookouts, popular walking tracks, swimming areas and four-wheel drive beach recreation areas in Queensland National Parks are closed.
• Strict travel restrictions apply to anyone seeking to enter an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community; all persons must self-isolate for 14 days before entering these communities.
• Temporary reduction in long-haul travel to rural and regional communities.
• Fossicking is temporarily restricted (except on private land with prior approval; social distancing rules apply).
• Recreational fishing is prohibited (except if catching fish for your family to eat; social distancing rules also apply).
• Armourers and dealers are no longer able to operate as per the non-essential business closure direction, except for purposes set out here.

Home Confinement Direction

The Queensland Government has issued a home confinement direction to all Queenslanders to stay home, unless:

• shopping for essentials - food and necessary supplies;
• medical or health care needs, including compassionate requirements;
• exercise with no more than one other person (unless from your household);
• providing care or assistance to an immediate family member, or;
• work and study if you can’t work or learn remotely.

This is an important direction to help stop the spread of COVID-19. It is also enforceable by law. Non-compliance with this direction carries a maximum penalty of 100 points.

For more information please click here.  

The Prime Minister has requested that people over 70 self isolate but tell that to my 83 year old sister who just HAS to 'pop' down to the little shopping centre to pick up the paper for her neighbour and pay her bills at the Post Office etc. even though I have told her there were alternatives. She said she saw a lot of 'oldies' at the shopping centre and what else were they supposed to do? I am sure that those who are registered with 'My Aged Care' would be able to get help. Does anyone know? As we are over 70 we are now not supposed to be going out unnecessarily either.

Anyway, enough about the virus which has taken over everyone's lives and changed the way we live. I am sick of hearing about it to be honest. I decided it was time to finish the loom knitted beanie I started six months ago and when it was finished I realised that it really wasn't a good idea to leave a beanie on the loom for that long as there is now a bump in the middle but I have been told that it will wash out. This one is for a really big head and I used the red loom from the kit I bought from Spotlight. I will make some more which will go to the homeless as our winters can get very cold although you couldn't imagine it as it is 30C or so today and we are in the second month of autumn.

Also because I feel like a beached whale due to not being able to go out, I have unearthed Leslie Sansone's DVDs and am trying to discipline myself to exercise each day. You can find her YouTube workouts here if you don't have the DVDs. 

If you are interested in making your own masks then check out the post Making a Mask on Organised Castle. Also Chris from Gully Grove has an interesting interview with Sally Fallon on her blog which you might like to watch. It is called Wise Traditions Podcast Coronavirus. Sally is the author of Nourishing Traditions. Chris is also one of our Simple Living Toowoomba workshop presenters as she makes great sourdough and you can find her tutorial here.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend....at home I dare say! I have to keep reminding myself what day of the week it is as the days just seem to run into each other lately :-)