Gallup is Closed

[NowthatIamretired]

Mark, I hope that will not be the case. Might sound selfish, but I for one rely on it
I too have been in these four walls for weeks now, and not been outside lately, since winter is coming. The fear is that the flu season will bring a second wave. Very, very few folk are out without a valid reason. At $1600 per person [$1000 in NSW, $1300 in Qld]compliance is not a problem. I shake with horror when I see the protests in the U.S. Sure it gets boring, but then I remind myself of the point often made on this site - boring is a state of mind - and I try to think of/do something else. As our Prime Minister said right at the start: "This is no time to talk about rights. Right now we all have the responsibility to look after one another."

Alhough I would never vote for him, I am proud of the way he has handled this siuation, involving the leaders of health, industry and employers, All State Premiers and all union bosses. No more reds vs blues, no more bosses vs Unions! Just all of us caring for one-another.

Lifey

I have a dear friend who, with her husband spent February visiting their son in Australia, first time there and loved it and were fine. Then March 11 flew from Sidney to San Francisco, overnight there and then to Washingto Dulles. About a week later both came down with it, both ended up in the hospital, for her only three days but her husband died after being in ICU on a respirator for two weeks. At one point she had said she wished they had stayed there. I feel so bad for her, for her son far away. At least the hospital was able to allow their daughter to be with him and hold his hand when he passed. I know if they had it to do over, they would have stayed in your country with their son for now.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I have a dear friend who, with her husband spent February visiting their son in Australia,

We are sorry for your loss. It is a tragic result from a dreadful disease. Thanks for sharing.

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

Mark, I hope that will not be the case. Might sound selfish, but I for one rely on it.

We've been through some "interesting" times before. RTA et al will be fine.

Hoping you and your family continue to be well and healthy.

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

A very dear friend of ours (we regard her and her kids as family) has just lost her father to COVID-19. He was in a care home and she was unable to visit him because of the virus, she had not seen him for over a month in person, she could not sit with him while he passed and had to collect his belongings from outside the home stacked up in black bin bags. She can't get hugs from us or extended family.

These are tough, tough times. I hope you can give your friend and her kids some virtual hugs -- hardly the same -- but still valuable.

Hoping that you and Lezli and all of your extended family remain well and strong and sane.

Here's our newest published book -- if you want to read about an alternate reality -- Fly Fishing!

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

Thanks Mark.

Yes she is getting plenty of virtual hugs and support from us and we are coping pretty well with the whole situation.

Best wishes to you and Megan and your nearest and dearest, stay safe and keep smiling !

Dave.

(I will take a look at the link)

[Lifemagician]

I know if they had it to do over, they would have stayed in your country with their son for now.

So sorry for her. I agree they may have been beter off staying. I am also aware that folk who are now overstaying their visas, are not being deported.

Where does their son live? Sydney or Melbourne? or ?? The two places most densely populated, so with the most cases..... including a dozen and a half who died at an age care home.

Still, it is now more than 100 days since the first case arrived in the country - from the Diamond Princess, if I recall correctly - and today we had the 98th death. The bulk of those can be traced back to cruise ships.

Slowly starting the opening up. Today, golf, fishing, hiking (but not camping) have been allowed for the first time in more than two months. Visits to family and friends - 5 at a time max. - meeting up with friends up to 10 in a group, outdoors, keeping physical distancing in place. By the end of this month all children should be back at school. I think my grandchildren are due to go back 26th May.

It's all looking good, but there is one caveat, any more outbreaks or clusters, especially at schools, will see all these wound back again..

And boy have I got a lot of knitting done! My local city council has set up a morning coffee and a chat each day. We all make a cuppa, and ring in on our phones and have a chat with those we have not seen for weeks. They have also set up quizz sessions a couple of times a week, by all phoning in; and bingo. Another one in which I do not partake is an exercise session over the phone. No smart phones required, not even a mobile, as many seniors do not have mobile phones. As well as that I get weekly calls from them asking how I am going, and do I have any needs.

Alls well, and I am well. Hope this finds everyone else the same way.

Lifey

p.s. Almost forgot - I can now get to and plan my next trip for the southern hemisphere spring....... to New Zealand. Both countries are working on getting tourism between them up and running again.

[NowthatIamretired]

So sorry for her. I agree they may have been beter off staying. I am also aware that folk who are now overstaying their visas, are not being deported.

Where does their son live? Sydney or Melbourne? or ?? The two places most densely populated, so with the most cases..... including a dozen and a half who died at an age care home.

.

Thank you. I’m pretty sure he’s in the North Territory, most likely Alice Springs since he’s a contractor and went over for his company. I know there’s a bunch of “stuff” there from the US. They did get to travel several other places, especially the wine area as they are all into that. Interesting enough when I did talk with her she thought they perhaps contracted it in Sydney where they spent time touring all over the place just before leaving the country, and she said it was crowded there. Right now it’s just a wait and see when travel ever starts up again so her son can come back for a memorial to happen some day.

Lack of traveling is hitting a lot of people. My son, in his 30’s loves traveling and it just got to him as he’s had two events canceled so far and then we found out a family wedding in the LA area is now canceled over Labor Day. I’m just as glad because of the air travel to get there. As my niece said, she just wants it to be a good time and not have to worry if she’s killing a family member.

[Lifemagician]

I think you're right. Much more likley to have been in Sydney. Sounds like he may be in country NSW, or QLD. I dsoubt there is any wine growing areas in NT, but there is lots in country NSW. Regular international travel may be a while off yet. Heard someone on the radio say to think of another twelve months or more.

Hope your family stays well. Staying apart keeps us together.

Lifey