Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.

Well scheiße, ladies and gentlemen, what a crappy few weeks it has been downunder. How’s that for an impressive, or pathetic, example of tautology? It has been all about the corona virus (Covid-19) these last couple of weeks. You know the old saying, “Pride goeth …” Hubris, pubis. Australians have been so self-congratulatory about how we got “on top of” the virus. Apparently and allegedly, all the time we thought our borders were closed, our borders weren’t actually closed, if you know what I mean …

Our suspicions should have been raised when our PM said that we needed to get out from under the doona. Unfortunately we left it too late, and there was an “infection control breach” at Victorian quarantine and the pox started to pop up all over Victoria. Meanwhile, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, desperate for cash, welcomed an injection of Victorian holiday-makers before hastily closing their state borders after Victorian holiday makers brought the virus with them. Surprise, surprise.

So what does this mean? In summary, Dan (the Victorian premier) is going down, as is the economy; the virus is looking up; and, we are “in trouble”. I wonder if that is what the PM meant when he said in a moment of solidarity that we are all Victorians?

In a desperate attempt to hide my dismay, I have been rather facetious in my commentary today. Through bad luck and perhaps because of some questionable behaviour and over-confidence in our ability to contain the virus, Victorians have found their lives and livelihoods once again at risk, while neighbouring jurisdictions with open borders have been slow to react to protect their residents. As a result, people will lose their lives. Families will lose loved ones. Aussies for the main are committed to ensuring that we get this virus under control again to protect our families, our friends, our work colleagues, and all those working to keep us safe. I hope that as a community, we don’t let them down. Wish us luck.

Take care everyone. Stay safe and stay out of trouble.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

PS. Oh yes, apparently it is now finally acceptable to wear masks. I bought some from Victoria. The parcel arrived today. My True Love had to take the parcel out of the delivery truck himself. The courier wouldn’t touch it!
I’m joining in the Ragtag Daily Prompt (Shrivel) today, because that’s how I feel. I just want to hide under the doona and never come out. Thank goodness the ravens are back. I bloody need them to hold my hand.

54 thoughts on “Gash in the Fabric”

    1. Margaret, I hope the re-opening process goes well there. It is so easy to stuff up a really good response by a few miscalculations. Fingers crossed for you that everyone continues to work together to lessen the risks. A lot of work is going on here in response to this latest outbreak and for that I am truly grateful.

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    1. Worse there, Martha. I think it has taken by people by surprise here. Reminds me of how it rattled around Seattle before authorities realised they had a huge problem on their hands. They are on to it now though. Fine where I am, just nervous about it possibly rattling around here though. I must make some masks. I knew there was a reason I kept those old stretched out knickers! 😮 Dog prints and snow flakes sound more classy.

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  3. A meme circulating on Instagram predicts, “If you hate wearing a mask, you will really hate tracheal intubation!” Some folks are arguing that they have the right to ignore health care warnings.

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      1. I’m okay Tracy but like you I’m deeply concerned. Here in British Columbia our chief director of public health, Dr Bonnie Henry has implemented policies that have flattened the curve of the infection and its spread. Our population is around five million and our deaths so far are under two hundred. Our border with the USA is closed as are our borders with neighboring provinces. Dr Henry’s pandemic rules are wear a mask, frequent hand washing, do not touch your face, do not travel, keep a social distance of two meters, stay out of care homes for the elderly and be kind. People are advised to go for walks and exercise. Dr Henry has been holding nearly daily press conferences answering hypothetical questions about her pandemic recommendations. Across the American border the pandemic is raging. BC is in a bubble of care and as long as the pandemic continues Dr Henry says, “Stay in your bubble!” Stay safe Tracy! We do have citizens here who scoff at Dr Bonnie Henry’s bubble rules.

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      2. I watched a couple of Dr Bonnie Henry’s briefings online. She really is tremendously caring and compassionate. I didn’t realise that BC’s borders were closed. I’m really a fan of that strategy. It must make BC the envy of other Canadian provinces. It seems the logical option to me not just for BC residents, but also for residents of other provinces who may end up relying more heavily on the goods and services that BC can provide. Take care, Sid, as I know you will. So far, so good for me too.

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  6. You chose a very apt video. It was horrifying. Here in th US, it feels like the vengence of hell is being visited upon us, in the form of other people, to paraphrase Sartre. I pray God Australia doesn’t go down the same road.

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    1. I don’t think we will, Liz, but things are dire for one state and I worry that the virus is hitching a ride with holidaymakers. Half the country is on hiday now and the virus does seem to like to exploit our weaknesses.
      But dire is relative isn’t it? In the good old days, leaders would cherish a crisis to win broad community support and unity by swinging into action. I find the approach in the US and a few other countriex quite shocking.
      Still the virus might out run us too despite our leaders’ efforts. We shall see.
      Take care, Liz.

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  7. We have so many friends in Melbourne and I’d just started to relax and move their share of my worrying quotient to other friends and family. Oh well, seems I have greater capacity for anxiety than I thought. Stay safe Tracy; I hope the response this time round will have been quick enough to stop further spread.

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    1. It us hard not to worry, Su. It must be a relief to many of your friends that restrictions have been put in place again. But it must be so crushingly disappointing that this has happened. I feel sorry for Dan Andrews. He ought to have been able rely on his senior management team to have put in the appropriate checks in the quarantine and health care systems. I’m such a back seat driver. What did I say about pride? So glad I don’t have that job. We shall see what happens.

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      1. We’re having similar issues with cracks appearing in the systems, and our Health Minister resigned last week. I guess we’re starting from a better place, but with the number of absconders from isolation, I’m starting to feel it’s only a matter of toile before we have Covid back in the community.

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      2. It certainly is an everyone-in strategy, Su. Your recent absconder did seem to go above and beyond (or through in his case) to get what he needed. Can’t send all people in quarantine to maximum security though. 😦 I guess that is why hygiene and social distancing is still so important to maintain even in countries with no known active cases. Going on your road trip to see your dad will be such a nice way to spend time in your bubble.

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      3. Absolutely. I’ve noticed that, after a bit of a drop-off in hand sanitizers and sign-in requirements in shops, etc, it seems to have ramped up again as people are being much more careful.

        For a variety of reasons, I’m not going to get to see my dad this month, but am having a short road trip anyway. I’m sad, but it is for the best.

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  8. The situation is dire. We have cancelled a weekend get-together as there were going to be family from Melbourne there. I felt bad about it, but we have to look after ourselves. Now there is COVID in Canberra, I believe, so stay safe, Tracy.

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    1. You have to do what’s necessary,, Jane. Any Melbournians who’ve arrived since 24 June are supposed to be quarantining. It must be horrible to feel like shunning the Melbournian family but if you don’t know how long they’ve been in town and that conversation is too difficult to have, then there is no other choice.
      The ACT government is still telling us that those cases are low risk to the community. I’m worried about those cases we don’t know about.. I had an emergency dental appointment on Monday. One of the staff told me that her nephew had been sent by the AIS to Melbourne for training the previous week. This was at a time when we were being advised not to travel there! There’s no social distancing happening here and still no mask recommendation from the ACT government. I find people stay clear of me when i wear a mask because they think I’m weird. The psychology is so interesting.
      You stay safe too Jane.

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  9. Officials patting each other on the back, lifting restrictions too soon, holidaymakers flooding touristic destinations, people ignoring even the few safety rules that are left… oh yes, it sounds very familiar. It’s all so sad and disturbing at the same time… Stay safe, Tracy!

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    1. It is very disheartening, Ana, and must be especially so for healthcare workers and other essential workers who put their lives on the line for us. I’ve spoken to a number who are dismayed. I hope we snap back to some semblance of social responsibility soon. It’s the least we can do. I have my own little bubble here.

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  10. Thank you for sharing your news on the COVID-19 virus Tracy. It seems to be the same scenario in most countries. Too many people reopening too soon because of the economy and hurting everybody in the process. Bad leadership can really lead us all astray. Please stay safe as best you can. 😷💕

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    1. Hello Christine, Yes, all too common unfortunately.

      I hope you are keeping well and staying safe too. I think the whole world has been keeping a close eye on developments in your country. The situation looks terrifying.

      I will give Australian national and state governments credit for the measures they’ve put in place and for our success to date. I think some of these have been caught unawares by the staggering growth in cases in southern Australia. I’m thankful they are on to it now and hopefully they will respond much faster in future.

      Some people are very happy to be led astray. It absolves them of responsibility. 😦

      Take care, Christine. Likewise, I’m staying in my bubble as much as I can.

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  11. Sadly this will be us in a couple of weeks now that the pubs have re-opened. My wife just texted very upset because the guy that came to fit our blinds (delayed since March) took his mask off once he got into the house and worked like that for a while before she spotted it. The first person in our house since february and he does that!

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    1. That is very distressing, Darren, not only because of the possibility that he might infect others, but also because it is such a breach of trust. I’ve got the aircon man coming on Monday. I can’t go another summer like we’ve just been through without aircon, but if he is not masked he won’t be allowed in the house.

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      1. Keep an eye on him Tracy. This guy wore his mask whenever he was in sight of Susan but at one point he made a loud clattering noise on dropping something so she popped in to see if he was ok – to see his mask under his chin.

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  12. I’m so sorry, Tracy. There is still so much we don’t understand about this virus, and I think that is giving a lot of people a false sense of confidence that it has, or can be, defeated. Until the treatments and vaccines are discovered and common, we just have to be very careful.

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  13. Dr Bonnie Henry was praised in a New York Times article. Part of her career was as a Medical Officer on a Canadian warship caring for a company of 1000 men. She served for ten years as a naval officer doctor. Her training shines through. She is not a politician just someone who cares. ‘Be kind, be caring and look after each other.

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      1. The irony is that folks tune in for public service announcementS on their phones. Dr Henry has become a source of comfort when she speaks in her mom voice or what Pluto would call mom’s cookie voice. Too many of our politicians are using what Pluto calls, “The who peed on the carpet voice.” Be kind, be caring and take care of each other. As Dr Henry says we all make mistakes and no one is perfect. To round out Bonnie’s background a little, Dr Henry owns a small winery. How cool is that. Yes, BC has a tiny wine industry.

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  14. I had to leave my workplace as we were not allowed to wear masks – they have to be worn correctly but there is so much misinformation about them, even from the authorities. They absolutely can help protect us and others. Stay safe. The second wave seems to be on us already.

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  15. Horrific rise in Covid cases throughout the US, especially where I live in Southern California. Death rate rising as well. Pugnacious refusal to wear masks by those who insist that the pandemic is fake news generated by Democrats/liberals. Science has no place in the US. We are nation led by the moronic right wing, and they’re making money from the anguish of the ill. I worry who it will be in our family – don’t we all?

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    1. It is like five different countries there, Sharon. However, I’ve come to realise that my own country is quite odd in many ways too.

      The potential loss of friends (including those I’ve met through this blog) and family members keeps me awake at night. Hence, I always look forward to hearing from you, Sharon.

      I’ve noted that my blogging peers are a comparatively well resourced, educated, careful lot. I find this slightly unsettling, if you know what I mean. …

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      1. Yes, I do. Interestingly, the same scoffers don’t care for public education either. They’re at the forefront for a Medieval society. Fortunately our governor cares about everyone in the entire state.
        As for worrying about blogger friends I haven’t heard from in months – that too – worrisome.

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  16. First: I really must congratulate you on the perfect use of a German curseword, Tracy! 😉 (I think Scheiße is the most favourite one here 😂) I’m just so sorry that you have reason to use it. 🙁
    That’s so worrying what’s happening down under, well, everywhere really. If you haven’t got enough masks it’s good to sew some extra. Remember to use only cotton or linen as you can wash it at 60°C which is sufficient in killing any viruses or bacteria.
    I’m know exactly how unsure everyone must be feeling whether to wear a mask or not if it’s not mandatory yet, it was the same here. And I was astonished to hear that GB only make it mandatory last week! Their numbers are so high, I can’t understand why it took that long.
    Lots of idiots here too who don’t wear them, like the guys delivering my new fridge this week – I was so not sureprised. 😯 Please take good care, dear friend! ❤

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    1. Sarah, I’ve ordered my fabric face mask but it is going to take a month to get them! Demand is high at the moment. I can make some though with the assistance of my son who knows how to operate a sewing machine. If I get desperate, I could always wear a pair of underpants on my head. Clean ones. 🙂
      I hope those delivery men got their masks from the truck. Typical. The men seem to need a lot of encouragement to do the right thing.
      As Scheiße is a noun, I should have capitalised the first letter, right?

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      1. Underpants, sock heels or half a bra!! 😀😉 Gotta be creative. 😁
        Don’t be too harsh on yourself, Tracy – you got the ‘ß’ right!!! I’m so proud of you. 😘

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