How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?
I’m reading Click, the new crime thriller by Australian Author Sarah Bailey. It is set in January 2020. I think that makes it historical fiction!
I don’t usually give that era much of a second thought as I’m kind of glad it’s all over. I’ve had three bouts of Covid that got progressively worse and I’m not keen to go for round four!
I’m okay now. Luckily, I don’t appear to have any long Covid. I still have my occasionally gravelly voice, but I seem to have recovered fully.
We moved south of the border during the first lockdown to be closer to our business. We didn’t want to risk being locked out of either home or business.
The lockdowns gave me time to write. I was also able to complete all the writing courses on the Masterclass app. I learnt a lot and even won some writing competitions. It was a good time to be a writer from that perspective.
But the biggest changes for me since 2020 came in the form of my connections. Being literally metres south of the Queensland border meant I was separated from 99% of my family and friends.
People were busy with their own lives and most had little concept of the impact the border closure had on Tweed. There were cases 800km away in Sydney but we were locked down?
Because I was isolated, I set about making connections in my local area. I am fortunate to say I am still friends with three of the writers I met during that time including Penny Fields-Schneider, who I count as a close friend.
Sadly, one of my friends, Susie, who I became close to during that time has since passed away due to complications from breast cancer treatment. That was a huge shock.
It was a challenging time for everyone and I’m glad it’s over. I can’t imagine going through that again. I don’t think the people would tolerate the same level of control again.
