Items
Subject is exactly
Health & Wellness
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2020-04-16
Humans of Covid-19 AU: Jemma Katz
“In November, I was diagnosed with a cancer of the immune system. I've been undergoing chemo ever since. I finished three weeks ago, but the chemo is really intense and makes you very vulnerable to catching everything, so I can’t leave the house at all. My sister caught a tiny cold and it gave me a really intense chest infection. I have nothing in my body to fight off infection. My life was meant to go back to normal after chemo, but it hasn’t. Very much the opposite. The whole experience of cancer and then corona all around has made me realise how much I took for granted in my life, like being independent. I pretty much can’t do anything alone. I'm 23, and not really living the life of a 23 year old. I've found it helpful to establish a routine. I’m looking forward to being able to do the simple things once this is over, like going for a drive or a walk alone, being able to look after myself.” Instagram post on Jemma, a university student, and her experience during the pandemic, which was created by a psychology student living in Melbourne who was interested to hear about how COVID-19 was impacting on different peoples’ lives. -
2020-04-16
Humans of Covid-19 AU: Ani Jordens
“I’ve been feeling fully immobilized by this pandemic. I’ve noticed many people jumping into new interests and hobbies, and I'm just struggling to work out: who am I outside of work? What hobbies do I have? What are my interests? I just don't know! I’ve been observing my friends and family who have lost the jobs and livelihoods that gave them a sense of purpose. An important part of self-esteem is drawing it from multiple sources. If all of your eggs are in one basket and it gets taken away, then you will have a massive drop in self-esteem. But right now, people have lost multiple sources of self-esteem, which puts intense strain on mental health. Perhaps we need new structures and more supportive systems. The working-at-home thing has revolutionized able-bodied peoples’ lives, and could be used in a really productive way post-pandemic to make careers more accessible to people with a disability. Hopefully we learn something from this.” Instagram post on Ani Jordens, a university student, and her experience during the pandemic, which was created by a psychology student living in Melbourne who was interested to hear about how COVID-19 was impacting on different peoples’ lives. -
2020-05
Zoom Fatigue
With the pandemic came online learning and being forced into a class room situation where everything was mediated through our screens. I found this learning style to be mentally draining and had felt that I was alone in my experience when all I saw online was people celebrating the wonders of connecting through zoom. Seeing this infographic which acknowledges zoom exhaustion and breaks down why it happens and ways to overcome it was really nice. It shows that my experience is felt by many and while technology has allowed many of us to stay connected it isn't with negatives. HUM402 -
2020-05-09
Window
I am including this selection of two photos of my bedroom window, as this has been the dominant view and my sole saving grace throughout lockdown. The photo on the left was taken in my first week of lockdown on the twenty third of March, which was the first week that I began to stay at home as I am asthmatic and was very concerned about my own health making me more vulnerable. The second photo was taken on the first of June, and marks ten weeks since my own ‘lockdown’ began, I have somewhat lost track of the various stages of lightening of restrictions as I was still mostly avoiding going out up until the point when the second photo was taken. In many ways my asthma and anxiety made this experience pretty traumatising, I stopped walking my dog because I people kept patting her and I had too much anxiety about the conflict of constantly asking people not too, and I was worried about the contact risk to myself from people touching my dog. After the rate of community transmission stabilised, I felt safer going out to places, but then I found the secondary anxiety of people behaving in rude and hostile ways towards me in public due to my obvious coughing or wheezing from asthma after I had an obvious asthma attack in Officeworks. My isolation has thus been pretty intense and long lasting compared to some others and combined with anxiety has induced an intense sensation of feeling trapped in my bedroom. The access to sunlight and fresh air through this window, as well as my beautiful view has been a literal visual lifeline, I found myself taking lots of photos of the window and my view. In many ways I feel like this has made me far more attentive than I have ever had the opportunity to be to the changes between night and day, and the slow seasonal change into winter. -
2020-05-23
#Keepourmobsafe
HUM402 The Australian Government has launched a campaign to #keepourmobsafe. This image is of a screenshot of an ad for the campaign, which the government is using to educate Indigenous Australians regarding the risk of COVID-19. The ads appear to be targeting Indigenous Australians living in remote communities, giving them tips on how to stop the spread of COVID-19 and utilising indigenous artwork and slang to appear 'relatable'. -
2020-05-29
Andante: Short Story on this pandemic
I have written this short story around the circumstances in which we found ourselves in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Short story based on actual events in the current health crisis. -
2020-05-26
Australian school library COVID-19 information desk
Mentone Girls' Grammar School Kerferd Library information desk during the COVID-19 return to campus (Phase 1) 26 May 2020. For student and staff safety the library stopped lending headphones and chess sets. In phase 1 junior school students in Prep to year 2, as well as senior school students in years 10, 11 and 12, returned to campus. Students in years 3 to 9 remained off campus and continued with online learning until phase 2 which commenced on 9 June 2020. -
2020/05/22
Kangaroo-themed social distancing guidance at a supermarket in Bondi, New South Wales, Australia
Kangaroo-themed social distancing guidance at a supermarket in Bondi, New South Wales, Australia -
2020-04-08
How will this moment be seen in the Future?
This is a tweet reflecting on what it may be like explaining to people in the future what it was like living through Covid-19. The tweet also wonders what impacts this event will have on us. #HUM402 -
2020-03-26
Take what you need
This shelf was placed at the local community house where people could take what they needed or indeed leave what they did not need. As there was no toilet paper on the shelves of the supermarket just a few 100 metres away, I thought the toilet rolls would be snapped up pretty quickly, but to my surprise they stayed for some days. -
2020-03-22
Sewing fabric masks
This is a photo of my wife making a set of fabric masks for the family as no masks have been available to purchase. There were many patterns available to download online or instructional youtube videos. This design allows for one to insert a disposable tissue or paper wipe for additional protection. My wife wore her mask once or twice to the supermarket, other than that we have not had cause to use them. -
2020-05-12
Covid-19 Safe App
HUM402 The Australian Government has created an app that allows people to see if they have come into contact with a Covid-19 positive case. This is an advertisement on Facebook raising awareness of the app and encouraging people to download it. -
2020-05-08
Social distancing sign at a sheepskin products shop
A handwritten sign at a shop specialising in sheepskin products in Woollahra, New South Wales, Australia indicating that social distancing will be enforced within. -
2020-04-25
Social Distancing at the Supermarket
This photo depicts a supermarket in Tasmania, Australia, where social distancing measures are being enforced. Red tape is used to create a line where customers have to queue prior to entering the store. The staff member to the left of the image is counting the customers as they enter the store to enforce the customer limit. -
2020-04-02
Play School COVID-19 Special
Play School has been the leading early childhood education television program for over 50 years in Australia. This special episode communicates the changes happening, empathises with the children as well as telling them what they can do to help. -
2020-03-28
James Boag's poignant press ad
I saw this ad in our local paper on the first Saturday after the toughest social distancing restrictions were announced with gatherings in public of more than two people prohibited. I felt this was a very poignant press ad placed by a well-known, sturdy, enduring, local brand. It empathised with the public as well as encouraging support for the distancing measures. -
2020-04-29
Curve almost flattened. Australian Department of Health graph showing number of COVID-19 cases up until 29/4/20
Graph showing the new daily cases reported in Australia, showing peak cases and a flattening of the curve. -
2020-04-16
Pedestrian crossings on Macquarie St, Sydney automated to discourage transmission of COVID-19.
This photograph shows measures taken by a local authority to slow the spread of the virus. -
03/17/2020
Handmade ‘glove’ using crocheted wrist band with recycled plastic bags.
I didn’t want to waste gloves that Health workers might need. We were all getting inventive about protective gear. -
2020-04-12
Sharing herbs with neighbours
In Young Street Annerley we started a Facebook group 'They Young Ones’ and shared garden edibles, books and art materials. -
2020-03-31
Socially distanced family meetings
HUM402 The new measures my parents and I take to see and provide my sister with the supplies she has been unable to source herself for her own home. My sister is a nurse and alike many others, is working extra hours to keep hospitals safe and functioning for our community. Our brick fence now acts as our divide, to keep us physically apart but still able to see and support each other. -
2020-04-09
"Eyes in the Sky"
The Mercury (online) published on its daily coronavirus blog an article entitled, “'Eyes in the sky' to monitor travellers.” The article informed the public that helicopters would be used over the coming Easter long weekend to ensure Tasmanians were adhering to social distancing and lockdown laws. HUM402 -
2020-04-24
The Tasmania Project
Project to gather information during and beyond the pandemic. -
2020-03-19
Email to all UTas students regarding online lecture delivery due to COVID-19.
HUM402 On March 19, this email was sent to all UTas students in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 and its impact on the delivery of lectures. For thousands of students, this meant that the academic year was significantly going to change. -
2020-04-21
Notice on front of St Vincent de Paul's op shop, closed during lockdown, Ballarat, Australia.
Another image of a closed down business in regional Australia -
2020-04-21
Notice on the front of the Savoy Cafe, Ballarat, Australia, during lockdown.
An image of a closed business in my home town during the lockdown. -
2020-04-21
Salvation Army Op Shop, Ballarat, closed
Shows a notice on the front of a closed down business, Ballarat, Australia -
2020-04-21
Closed business in Ballarat, Metro Hair Design
A picture of a closed business in Ballarat during lockdown. -
2020-04-21
Closed shop in Ballarat Linen and Living Homewares
Image of notice on closed business -
2020-04-21
Ballarat 3 21 April 2020 Being Sick In This Time - But Not With The Virus
An account of how lockdown has affected delivery of some medical services -
2020-04-09
Kimberley Bulletin: Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Responses
A regular Covid-19 bulletin issued to local indigenous community members and health providers describing hygiene practices, local travel and safe distancing restrictions, background information on covid-19 and available social support using terminology and cultural examples specific to the region. For example, a 'sorry camp' is special area where visiting relatives would stay when attending a funeral in a community, as communities can be extremely far apart. These are subject to the country-wide limit of a maximum 10 people at funerals current at the time of publication. Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander communities are considered to be at higher risk of severe impacts from Covid-19 than the wider population due to their higher level of chronic health issues, frequently crowded households, and long distance from healthcare. The Kimberley region of Western Australia has unique travel restrictions in place to limit movement between the four Shires, in addition to restrictions on movement across different regions of Western Australia and lockdowns of individual indigenous communities. -
2020-02-11
Victorian State Government "Novel coronavirus confirmed case" fact sheet
Government advice to people who have "2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)". -
2020-03-23
Australian Government Isolation Guidance
Australian Government fact sheet with guidance on self-isolation, Version 14 Isolation guidance If you have returned to Australia from overseas, or been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, special restrictions apply. Who needs to isolate? All people who arrive in Australia, or think they may have been in close contact with a person diagnosed with coronavirus, are required to self-isolate for 14 days. Stay at home or in your hotel When travelling home or to your hotel to start isolation use personal transport, such as a car, to minimise exposure to others. If you need to use public transport (e.g. taxis, ride-hail services, trains, buses and trams), reduce the spread of germs through good hand hygiene and avoiding physical contact. During the 14 days of isolation, you must stay at home or in your hotel and don’t go to public places including work, school, childcare, university or public gatherings. Only people who usually live with you should be in the home. Do not see visitors. If you are in a hotel, avoid contact with other guests or staff. If you are well, there is no need to wear surgical masks at home. Ask others who are not in isolation to get food and necessities for you. If you must leave home, such as to seek medical care, wear a surgical mask. If you don’t have a mask, take care to not cough or sneeze on others. Monitor symptoms When in isolation, monitor yourself for symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath. Other possible symptoms include chills, body aches, runny nose and muscle pain. What do I do if I get sick? If you develop symptoms (fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath) within 14 days of returning to Australia, or within 14 days of last contact of a confirmed case, you should arrange to see a doctor for urgent assessment. You should telephone the health clinic or hospital before you arrive and tell them your travel history or that you have been in contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus. You must remain isolated either in your home, hotel or a healthcare setting until public health authorities inform you it is safe for you to return to your usual activities. How can I prevent the spread of coronavirus? Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene and keeping your distance from others when you are sick is the best defence against most viruses. You should: • wash your hands frequently with soap and water, including before and after eating, and after going to the toilet • cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and wash your hands • avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people) • stay at home if unwell. Going outside If you live in a private house, it is safe for you to go into your garden or courtyard. If you live in an apartment or are staying in a hotel, it is also safe for you to go into the garden but you should wear a surgical mask to minimise risk to others and move quickly through any common areas. Advice for others living with you Others that live with you are not required to be isolated unless they meet one of the isolation criteria outlined above. If you develop symptoms and are confirmed to have coronavirus, they will be classified as close contacts and will need to be isolated. Cleaning To minimise the spread of any germs you should regularly clean surfaces that are frequently touched such as door handles, light switches, kitchen and bathroom areas. Clean with household detergent or disinfectant. Managing the 14 day isolation Being in isolation can be stressful and boring. Suggestions include: • Keep in touch with family members and friends via telephone, email or social media. • Learn about coronavirus and talk with others. • Reassure young children using age-appropriate language. • Where possible, keep up normal daily routines, such as eating and exercise. • Arrange to work from home. • Ask your child’s school to supply assignments or homework by post or email. • Do things that help you relax and use isolation as an opportunity to do activities you don’t usually have time for. More information For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au Call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450. The phone number of your state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor. -
2020-03-27
If you can stay home, you must stay home. If you don't, people will die.
I have the VicEmergency app on my phone to warn for bushfires. Around mid March, I started getting daily warning alerts from the app, initially for contagious disease in my area, and then for pandemic in my area. The alerts usually come between 5-6pm and provide information on the latest public health advice and restrictions. On Friday 27 March the alert from the app was particularly striking. One of the instructions, highlighted in bold, told people "If you can stay home, you must stay home. If you don't, people will die." This felt like very dire warning from what is otherwise rather a dry app with very practical instructions. -
2020-03-31
New park rules appeared today
We are going for a walk every day for exercise, noting as the days go by new signs and information about social distancing. These signs were not there yesterday, and the teenagers playing basketball at the hoop and the kids playing on the playground have now disappeared. Just groups of two, or families with a few more, walking slightly furtively past one another. And many more bicyclists whizzing past on the shared paths — have already seen a bingle or two. -
2020-03-23
Sign in bottleshop ‘please do not use vodka as a sanitiser’
A sign in a bottleshop, Liquorland, advising customers that vodka doesn’t work as a hand sanitiser. Shows the scarcity of hand sanitiser at this time! -
2020-03-26
Solo bike ride lunch in Kinglake, Victoria, Australia
Instead of organised rides in groups and having lunch etc at a cafe, most road cyclists are riding alone. This photo shows a lunch of muesli bars etc on a solo ride. Not shown is the hand sanitiser used to disinfect the tap used to fill water bottles. -
2020-03-26
Interview about the project
Radio interview by host Jacinta Parsons with Professor Andy May from the University of Melbourne about 'A Journal of the Plague Year' project. -
2020-03-25
The optimism of children
Schools have closed for an interim period (maybe) — the kids down the street send messages of encouragement for all the people in the neighbourhood who are out taking a daily constitutional. -
2020-03-25
Chalk messages on the footpath from neighbourhood kids
Schools have closed for an interim period (maybe) — the kids down the street have chalked messages of encouragement on the footpath for all the people in the neighbourhood who are out taking a daily constitutional. -
2020-03-25
COVID-19 Alarming Times
A piece of prose that highlights global opinions and assertions that were made in March of 2020. The author notes the state of Australian citizens and how people in general there, and worldwide, are being affected, either in a positive manner, negative manner or somewhere in between those two extremes . (Added by curator) -
2020-03-25
Our family home schooling schedule.
My son's school closed on Monday. He is a high energy kid and copes better when he knows what the day holds. So I devised a schedule for us where he can continue to learn whilst school is closed. We are finding that having a schedule is really helping with our daily life. It is meant to be flexible and serves more of a touchstone for when things get difficult throughout the day. Many people are saying that time in isolation is a great opportunity to learn an instrument or language, master a hobby or really relax - but those of us with children don't have that luxury. -
2020-03-24
Almost three years old Roger, socially isolated in a playground.
A young child not yet three years old plays alone in a playground inside a park; usually there are several children with their carers playing here at any given time of the day, one day into lock down here and the park and playground is deserted. -
2020-03-16
Navigating COVID-19 and Chest-Binding
8 tips to look after your respiratory health for trans and non binary people who bind their chest .I am a member of a secret online group for transgender men. A member of the group from the US shared this resource, on how to look after your respiratory health for trans and non binary people who bind their chest. I realised that it was written by a member of the Australian trans community, someone I have connections with in my own city. It felt good to know that resources developed by someone in my own backyard are having a global reach and that the transgender community around the world are pulling together to support one another at this time. -
2020-03-24
My new coworker is a bit of a bitch.
The challenges of working from home. -
2020-03-04
Single toilet paper roll sells for $1000 as coronavirus panic-buying reaches new level
A commercial news website reports on the panic buying of toilet paper. URL for full article here: https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/single-toilet-paper-roll-sells-for-1000-as-coronavirus-panic-buying-reaches-new-level-c-729542 In Australia, supermarket shelves were stripped of many essential items once people understood how serious the pandemic was, but the one that became a national obsession was toilet paper. People were filling trolleys with packs of toilet paper as soon as they realised lockdowns might be ordered. Major supermarkets eventually instituted 2 packs per person limits. A black market emerged online. There were many many memes, videos, articles, as well as serious analysis of this phenomenon. The irony is that toilet paper is in fact produced in Australia, so it was never going to run out. So this was an opportunity for us to think about human irrationality and panic; local and global manufacturing (and ignorance of this); enjoy humour as a response... and so much more. Also an opportunity to think about what people used before toilet paper was the norm - squares of newspaper, leaves etc! Suddenly ads for bidets appeared in our newsfeeds as well! -
2020-03-23
Self-isolation desk
As an Australian who has just arrived back from overseas (Thailand) on 20 March 2020, I am required to self-isolate for 14 days. As I am sharing a small one-bedroom inner urban apartment. I need to stick to my own room, while my fellow inhabitant lives in the lounge room. I’m also a PhD student in the final throes of trying to get my thesis done and do various casual research jobs at two different universities. This is my makeshift desk set up at the side of the bed to enable me to hopefully get some work done throughout this uncertain period. I also have a tiny 1.5mx2m space set up on the other side of the bed to try to do some yoga during the isolation period. -
23 March 2020
Leisure centre closure
Announcement of leisure centre closure in line with Government requirements -
18 March 2020
Trolley wipes
We can wipe our trollies, but no toilet paper. -
2020-03-28
The social distancing line
The Australian Government has recommended social distancing of at least 1.5 metres. This pharmacist has taped a line on the ground in front of their counters — it makes trying to reach forward to pay for goods a bit like a fairground game of "tap the card reader with your bankcard".