22nd July - Staying safe

We've had some beautiful sunny winter's days recently here in the Yarra Valley. Although there has been frost the last two nights (so subzero temperatures), during the day the sun has warmed us to the core. This beautiful weather has enabled us to spend some time in the garden: cleaning up and planting natives. Our farmlet is the perfect place to continue our self-imposed isolation.

As the new variant of Covid spreads all around Australia, we must stay vigilant to protect Pat from getting it. Our doctors have warned us multiple times that Pat's immune system is so compromised that any illness, but especially Covid, will land him in hospital. So Pat rarely ventures off the property. He goes to his medical appointments and he occasionally comes with me when I need to shop (but he stays in the car). A few weeks ago, we did start to venture out, going for a coffee or lunch. But as the number of Covid cases has again escalated, we are back to getting takeaway.

So many of our friends and family have had (or still have) a severe cold, the flu or Covid (and some getting Covid for the second time). Fortunately, they are all aware of Pat's risk, and warn us and stay away. But it is difficult to stay cautious. Despite medical warnings, there are no longer restrictions, and most people are returning to "normal" life. I feel the pressure to return to face-to-face meetings, socialise, and return to the office. And for my own mental health, I need to get out, stay engaged with my interests, and connect with others. So we balance the risk with the reward - staying safe versus not completely disconnecting ourselves from the outside world.