AS COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria are easing, restrictions in Sydney are escalating. It is a perfect illustration of the dynamic nature of the pandemic – ever-changing, ever-unpredictable, ever-stressful. It’s hard to relax, even when the news is positive, for fear that the next case or cluster is just around the corner.
But I’ve come to realise that celebrating the small wins matters. It’s the key to maintaining hope and resilience at a time when everything feels so difficult and uncertain.
Throughout the latest lockdown, the stories have been heartbreaking — stories of business owners crippled by weekly overheads of up to $18,000 a week and barely able to make an income. You can hear the desperation in their voices and do what you can. But it always feels inadequate.
Another wrenching aspect of the rolling COVID-19 lockdowns has been the situation in aged care.
Elderly residents have been isolated from their families for extended periods. Local aged-care providers have struggled to interpret and apply government directives.
While the rules provided some flexibility, the extent of that flexibility was not entirely clear. Aged-care providers were no doubt moved by the personal circumstances of families desperate to connect with their loved ones face-to-face, but were also very conscious that of the 800-plus COVID-19 fatalities in Victoria, the vast majority were aged-care residents. The stakes were very high.
But, as families pointed out to me, and as I pointed out to the government, the vaccination rate among local aged-care residents in our local aged-care facilities was high. It just didn’t seem right that visits would be disallowed even if the aged-care resident was vaccinated, the visitor was vaccinated, and both were wearing masks and washing their hands.
Finally, on Wednesday, the good news came through. Up to two visitors at a time would be able to visit loved ones in aged care (and other care facilities) and up to five visitors were allowed per day.
This outcome is testament to the advocacy of our community and communities around the state. We are grateful the government has listened.
