The July lockdown, and, as of writing, the recent extended lockdown to our region, brought more traumatised businesses, residents who can ill-afford to lose a day’s pay, and confusion over directives and how to deal with the Check-in QLD app. To all, including our incredible businesses, who have battled on through this with a smile, even when hurting themselves, you have our sincere gratitude, and we ask all residents to be understanding of what others may be going through.
The lockdown also fostered a barrage of questions surrounding the for/against the vaccine, concerns over mandates as well as supply, and is what governments are doing across the world legal? In the hundreds of emails, links, and clips sent, there has been a variety of claims that the wearing of masks, lockdowns and other constraints are against the constitution and human rights. These ‘shares’ were heavy on criticism, peppered with misinformation and ‘misconstructions’ from credible reports, and light on solutions except to ‘open up’. In amongst, there was excellent fodder for further thought and action, especially around the power of the human body and mind, and the responsibility to keep them in the best shape as part of developing strong immune systems.
What I love more than anything is an enquiring mind. Questioning what is happening is healthy, as that is part of making informed decisions for oneself and your family. It engenders self-responsibility, furthers knowledge-gathering and creates good discussions surrounding our world.
What is not healthy is the volume of information that is misconstrued to suit arguments. When personal choice is challenged inappropriately, labels applied such as vaxxer/anti-vaxxer, and viewpoints are put forward disrespectfully, including online bullying to contest directives or perceptions, it diminishes credibility and trust in each other.
Understandably, there are frustrations and serious ramifications that are unbelievably stressful for so many due to inconsistencies and ‘gaps’ in decision making, poor communications and clarity around valid questions. Be assured, I write to the Premier and Chief Health Officer (CHO) regarding this and offer suggestions to alleviate some of the load of those wearing the brunt of these shortfalls. As we knew from the start, there was no roadmap and the journey would be fraught with changing information and strategies. However, that does not provide license to direct that anger to those around you. This contributes to increased angst, isolation, and declining mental health for many in our community. It divides, instead of cementing, the unity required to support each other as we have now for some 18 months, which the very vast majority of Noosans have committed to, regardless of viewpoint, and is deeply appreciated.
You will often hear the term ‘social contract’. The official Wiki definition is ‘an implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, for example by sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection’. And yes, that requires us to follow rules and regulations as part of sharing space, which we may not like or support. Road speed limits, when you can mow your lawn, putting our pooches on leashes, or yes, wearing a mask unless you are unable to do so, are just some examples!
Arguments about the effectiveness and advice from the medical and scientific panels who have the responsibility of getting us to the other side of this ‘bug’, and whether governments should be allowed to do lockdowns, takes the focus away from where it should be. The how, and when we can see an end to these lockdowns is key. The quicker we can get to that ‘magic’ place, the quicker we can get back to normal where this, and other viruses into our future, can be managed without disruption. For our inquiring minds, this requires an element of trust. Both in ourselves, to self-manage our physical and mental health and the decisions surrounding that, and in those with expertise in the realm of viruses who guide decisions made by governments across the world.
Globally, as countries open up when they have hit those vaccination percentages, no doubt so shall we. And it will then be up to us, as individuals, to be responsible for keeping ourselves safe, and to make decisions, accordingly, including when to hunker down if we are vulnerable. Whilst scientists/commentators/experts debate the difference between vaccine and gene therapy, the who and how it happened, and the failings of decision makers across the world, we now have this bug as part of our world, and that we have capacity to argue and question protein spikes, mRNA and PCR testing, is an indication of how well we are actually doing.
We live in an amazing country, with some incredibly smart people, so let’s keep the questions and conversations vibrant, not vicious. And let’s use this time to practice getting mentally ‘fit’, as part of the journey forward, which we hope won’t incorporate more lockdowns, but could.
Knowledge shared at the Tewantin Country Women’s Association (CWA) AGM on how to do this, included acknowledging our cup as half full versus empty, increasing physical exercise, having gratitude, meditating and doing some of those wonderful breathing exercises that we have available at sandybolton.com/noosa360
As well, give time to volunteering when we come out of lockdown! The benefits for recipient and giver are enormous, including a good dose of feel-good chemicals to pep us up. Many organisations currently need you, including the Red Cross who provide visitors to those in our aged care facilities who have nobody to sit, listen, peruse their photo albums and maybe take a stroll. When you do good, it feels good!
And let’s plan for that day in the future when we can host ‘hug’ (yes, hug, not bug!) parties across our electorate. Really big ones, Noosa country and beach style, where we can all dance like no one is watching! And I will bring my furry pooch Bear who is now three months old, but by then will be quite the man.
