Hi All,

Hope everyone is taking care of themselves, their loved ones, and strangers in this weird time! I just wanted to call attention to the fact that the government's Better Access Scheme under Medicare now allows bulk-billing of remotely delivered services in some cases!

From https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/covid-19-national-health-plan-primary-care-bulk-billed-mbs-telehealth-services_0.pdf:

Why is this important?
The new MBS items will allow people to access essential health services in their home while they undergo selfisolation or quarantine, and reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for vulnerable people in the community.
This is a temporary six-month measure. Should the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC)
recommend an extension, it will be considered by the Government.
Who benefits?
Telehealth services will be available to:
 people isolating themselves at home on the advice of a medical practitioner, in accordance with home
isolation guidance issued by the AHPPC, and people who meet the current national triage protocol
criteria for suspected COVID-19 infection after consultation with either the national COVID-19 hotline,
state COVID-19 hotlines, registered medical or nursing practitioner or COVID-19 trained health clinic
triage staff
 people aged over 70
 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50
 people with chronic health conditions or who are immunocompromised
 parents with new babies and people who are pregnant.
People in isolation or quarantine for COVID-19 can see any eligible health provider through new telehealth
items. Patients in vulnerable groups can additionally see a health provider via telehealth for a non-COVID-19
matter if they have seen that provider face-to-face at least once in the previous 12 months

Hi all,

I hope all forum members are getting through this really difficult time. I have heard on this thread and on many other social media pages the vast sources of information and 'mis-information' being presented. It is really difficult to navigate. Below are a few links to both the Australia Department of Health which has many current fact sheets as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO) which offers a Frequently Asked Questions about COVID19 or coronavirus. See links below.

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-resources

https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

I really enjoy reading about the positive things that people are planning in this unusual time. Reducing public contact can be inconvenient but can also be highly productive. I am hoping to purchase some paint and start the a few walls in my home as I have been putting it off for ages.

Sending everyone strength.

Nurse Jenn

All people who are on a DSP or any other old age pension in one way or another are allowed into Safeway and perhaps other supermarkets at 6 am to purchase essential items and avoid not only the rush nor the crowds but get the items (toilet paper) they desperately need.

Check with your local supermarket.

Geoff.

• What thoughts are helpful for you at the moment?
• What are you doing to remain connected?
• How are you taking care of yourself and others?
• What are you finding helpful in reducing your anxiety during this time?

Hello all.

lot of people are writing here so discussion is helpful.

will answer Sophies questiondsand hope others will too if they want to.

What thoughts are helpful for you at the moment?

I find focussing on one source and looking at the positive things.

What are you doing to remain connected?

I find communication on this forum, staying in touch with friends and family.

How are you taking care of yourself and others?

I am eating healthily, walking and doing exercises at home I found for my age group on you tube. No need for a gym and I can doo them in ten or 15 minute intervals.

I am contacting elderly relatives and friends.

What are you finding helpful in reducing your anxiety during this time?

I find reading information on Beyond Blue , listening to music, keep a journal, and writing blogs and shirt stories and poems all help.

So have a go at answering all or some of the question, if you like, and it will help us pool information and help each other.

Hi all,

Personally on twitter I follow @normanswan for sound advice on the covid19 virus here in Australia

Hey Hanna & all

who is normanswan?.....any info can always help :-)

Hi everyone,

I think that this thread is a really good idea :)

To answer Sophie’s very helpful questions:

What thoughts are helpful for you at the moment?

Good question, I must admit that I don’t necessarily have an answer at this point.

But I think sourcing information from reputable organisations and qualified health professionals helps me to keep things in perspective :)

What are you doing to remain connected?

Admittedly, I am finding the recent, though understandable and reasonable, advice to practice social distancing difficult. I completely understand why we have been advised as such, & will personally try to adhere to it whenever possible.

But emotionally, I do find that difficult as I’m more on the extroverted end of the social spectrum. I’m trying to keep in touch with family and friends using alternative methods, such as texts.

But of course it’s just not the same as seeing them in person...the social distancing is actually what I’m finding hardest psychologically/mentally.

How are you taking care of yourself and others?

I’m taking care of the people around me by practising social distancing, good hygiene and checking in on them regularly with non-face-to-face methods :)

As for me?

I don’t know. Physically, I’m trying to practice good hygiene & am taking care of my health

But emotionally, I don’t yet have an answer, because what I used to heavily rely on was spending quality time with friends and family in person. But now I understandably need to limit that.

What are you finding helpful in reducing your anxiety during this time?

I’m actually more concerned than anxious. More so for my older relatives/family than myself.

I’m exploring more creative outlets like drawing and other forms of art and self expression :)

Thank you for reading. Sorry for all the mentions about social distancing, but it’s because I’m actually finding that part the most personally stressful and upsetting.

I’m an extrovert too, so perhaps that adds an extra challenge for me

Kindness and care,

Pepper

I couldn't agree more Hanna, Norman Swan is an excellent source of info regarding the virus, I respect his opinions and trust that he is being open and honest.

I think its important at this time to make sure the source of our information is reliable.

Hi sorry Smallwolf - Dr Norman Swann is an award-winning journalist and investigative reporter who informs the public about heath issues - born in Scotland now here on the ABC. You don't have to be on twitter, just Google @normanswann into Google and you can click on his twitter thread. You can also look him up on Google.

On Q&A on the ABC last night people were wishing he was running the country during this virus like the fire chief did during the bushfires - instead of the politicians! I find his advice very informed and sensible - do have a read of his twitter thread. He recommends:

We should have closed the borders, especially to the USA

Social distancing:

Avoid gatherings of people and crowded places, stagger and minimize your shopping time, be aware the virus is spread by contact with droplets and can be on surfaces such as tables, stair railings etc. You won't catch it walking outdoors it isn't in the air, but stay six feet away from people particularly indoors.

The reason for avoiding large gatherings (he recommends no more than five people) is that way they can trace who each person was in contact with. Also more people can be affected in a large gathering by one person alone.

Very sensible advice. I know all this is scary, but he has a calm decisive manner and explains things very clearly - there are videos etc on his thread. Best wishes.

Hi calmseeker,

Yes his twitter thread is very informative, excellent clear advice, I wish he was informing us on the television regularly! I am checking his twitter feed regularly. Good videos and information there. These are scary times for everyone, he helps by giving calm, decisive, sensible advice which we need at the moment!

Hi Matchy,

Did you find his twitter thread? There are also videos by him on Google if you just type in his name. I think he gives much clearer, more decisive advice than we are getting from the government here, no wonder people are panicking as we keep getting no information or conflicting information, it's confusing for everyone. I think what he says sounds like sound advice - I'm going to check on his thread daily to see what he has to say - people's questions and his replies are helpful there too. I hope it's helped you - it's an anxious time and the social isolating will be tough for people alone like me - all my social things are shutting down.

I'm really glad if it helped you a bit, maybe recommend it to others you know, I think it's the sort of advice we need... cheers Matchy!

Hello all

I agree with Hanna that Dr Norman Swan is a great resource and a person who can be trusted.
I like Sophie’s idea of looking at what we can do to help ourselves rather than what we can’t do.

There are so many what ifs about the virus that if we tried to answer them Itwould make us more anxious.

Thanks pepper for your honest answers.l

Jamzies welcome to this thread. I think that Drs are people who differ in opinion.

i think trust one persons a ice who is respected and go with your gut.

patience I think going alcohol free works for you then it will help. It may. Ot work for everyone.
thanks every one fir your thoughts,.

Maybe what can I do rather than What if this happens .

For anybody who is a keen reader, there is a list of online book clubs etc to join if you are stuck at home on a blog by Lisa Hill in Melbourne, it's at ANZ Litlovers Litblog.

She has lots of ideas for bookworms who are stuck inside during the virus outbreak!

Thanks Hanna i found him ok and there is some good information for people and the government should be listening to him.

Take care,

Mark

Hi everyone,

Answering the questions.

- What thoughts are helpful for you at the moment?

We will get through this. These are unprecedented times something we haven't seen before (probably since WW2) but we will get through this.

- What are you doing to remain connected?

I'm doing what I normally do in my normal day to day. Keeping in contact with friends/family.

- How are you taking care of yourself and others?

Practicing good hygiene, making sure I cover my mouth etc. I make sure I buy only what I need from the shops and only buy a little bit at a time.

- What are you finding helpful in reducing your anxiety during this time?

Keeping away from all of the coronavirus talk, making sure I only read from trusted sources.

remembering that we will get through this.

talking to my loved ones

keeping up with my taekwondo and poker.

On a personal note -

I'm starting to get a bit anxious about going into lockdown/quarantine. My taekwondo and poker games help keep me grounded. I don't really know what to do if im unable to do them for a period of time. I need to get out and about as being couped up really effects my mental state.

I totally understand why things like travel restrictions and lockdown/quarantine are needed and totally support it to keep the spread of coronavirus to a minimum.

I am really grateful for this thread.


I’m a uni student in a health profession, I work in public hospitals treating patients 3 days a week and go to classes the other days. I feel like I can’t switch off from covid-19. At the hospitals from staff and patients, at uni, at home... it’s just constant talk. Otherwise I have friends and family contacting for advice. Of course I am extremely anxious about it all, but I try to act like I’m strong. My medical knowledge is making this much harder to deal with. You know the saying that ignorance is bliss! I feel pressure not to show any kind of fear or weakness or to admit that I’m falling apart emotionally. Not amongst my peers, nor at home. I feel extremely alone in this situation. Even though we are all in it, I guess there is so much variety of personal responses, beliefs, opinions and that makes it all feel so uncertain.
I find that a part of me is actually eagerly wanting a shutdown, just to put an end to all the uncertainty and waiting and have a clearer stance on what to do.

What thoughts are helpful to you at this time?
there are things I can control
I have a plan
I can take action
I’m proud of myself for being prepared and taking care of myself

what are you doing to remain connected?
Listening to podcasts (they feel like friends!)
Studying with friends 1:1 and remotely

How are you taking care of yourself and others?
Did online orders for both my grandmothers so they wouldn’t have to go out (they don’t know how to use the internet)
I prepared myself for a period of isolation, not just food and medicines but as I live alone I know I’ll need to prevent loneliness and depression if I need to isolate. so I bought a bunch of new mystery novels, journals, craft and knitting supplies, magazines, and a yoga mat for doing yoga. As a recovering alcoholic i resisted the urge to stock up on wine. If I need to isolate I am prepared with healthier tasks to cope so I don’t relapse with depression or alcohol

What are you finding helpful in reducing your anxiety during this time?
Reminding myself that I have gotten through hard times before, we all have
Change is scary, but we can adapt, we can take whatever comes. We may not like it, but we can get through it together
The power of acts of kindness! Focusing on all the kind acts I’m seeing around the place and thinking about how I can do the same, such as donating things I don’t need to my neighbours

Hi all,

First timer here. This coronavirus issue means different things for me and my family than what is generally being put out there. I unfortunately had to quit my job 2 weeks ago due to an injury outside work. I work in a tourist town and there are no prospects at all. My husband works away sporadically and is due to go overseas for a month next week - most likely won't happen. We are relying on him going away so we can pay the mortgage - if he doesn't, we can't. We can't ask the bank for assistance as we have used our one chance to suspend mortgage/credit card/loan repayments when my hubby was out of work a few years back. Then we got a break after cyclone Debbie and they did it again, but I'm not feeling hopeful this time.

There is so much more to it which I won't bore you with now, but to anyone out there who is suffering - or about to suffer - financially from this, my thoughts are with you. I am frankly terrified, not sleeping, and grateful I am already on meds for depression or I think I may end up in a pretty bad place soon if nothing changes. Too much unknown, and for a control freak like me it's no fun!! lol

Hello Everyone

So many of you have asked if all the information is correct or genuine. People have also expressed the feeling they are not being kept informed. May I suggest a couple of things.

1. Only read information and updates from good sources. The colleague at work or the neighbour down the road does not necessarily have all the information or the correct information. Go to the various govt websites and read about it all.
2. Take sensible precautions such as hand washing, covering up when sneezing, eating properly. Avoiding people or situations will only add to your anxiety and may put you in a worse position.Closing schools may sound good but what are the students going to do? They will still be out in public with their mates and with a greater chance of spreading the virus. Parents will need to stay home to care for them which means they may not get paid. What will happen if the childcare centres also close down?
3. Inevitably some people will be hit harder by the flow-on effect. We can do little to stop this but we can keep tabs on our neighbours and offer a helping hand, make sure they are well etc. No need for direct contact but a phone call to ask how someone is going would be great.
4. The difference between this pandemic and the recent fires and floods is that we could see what was happening with the latter. We cannot see a viral pandemic so naturally we worry about the illness being passed on.

I hope that helps someone. I am concerned that my reduced immune system may not stand up to the strain so I need to take reasonable precautions but spending my time worrying will not help. I prefer to continue with the activities I can do, keep myself occupied, keep in contact with my family. Will I remain well? I have no idea but I will try my best.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is unwell and all those who are trying to keep us well.

Mary