Hi rx,

That doesn't sound right to me, but to be sure, look up your own's state government's website for what the rules/gudelines actually say about what shop owners & their staff are encouraged to do in this regard.

It is weird, because paper certificates are (for now), easier to fake than what you may have on the government's app/s - whether the Medicare Plus app or the state's check-in app

Hope they figure it out soon. For now, we may expect some inconsistancy around what to produce for which venue. This period used to be called the 'teething period', when the bugs are hopefully ironed out.

They also need to be more accomadting while the public gets used to what's required.

Personally, I would likely find another company to shop from. & if I was nto social media...I can imagine some reviews being posted as I think about it.

Take care,

mmMekitty

There needs to be uniformity in all of these requirements for showing vaccinations.

At my work place we do require paper copies for our own records. A lot of people don't have them.

So far I believe I have seen at least 20 different ways the Covid Vaccine information can be documented.

I have no idea if this information is legitimate or a fake. I am not asked to request people to show their identification!

We ask to see the information they have on their phone and can they email it to us? If not I have a camera and take a photo of their document, sometimes with very poor results.

I have to sort all of this out at a busy reception desk while also attending to other duties.

Thanks to the borders being open, South Australia has a list of exposure sites which is growing each day!

I dislike going to work now. Too much pressure, not enough information and direction on how to deal with the changing situation, and too many angry people!

Yeah the real craziness is up in my area through this whole what 19mths or so now through all this, when they've had no control and the virus was supposedly everywhere, we've all just been walking in and out of anywhere , scan the wall code thing and your off. Now it's supposedly under control and 85% of people are vaxed anyway, and they're suddenly carrying on like this.

And of they wanna carry on like this yet can't even figure out a system they even trust yet in 19mths let alone the rigmarole they expect people to go through just to get them, just wth,!

Most of Europe just have a green card and that's only for restaurants and stuff, but for here to be carrying on like this as if your a criminal , and at this stage now ha, sooooo typical.

l can't even be bothered getting their damn ph thing or certificate or whatever else they make it so damn complicate who has time and energy for that rubbish. Why don't they just stamp a damn card or something at wherever you got your second jab then and there and boom, done.

rx

rx

Is this post still actibe?

Hi Kylie this post is definately active.Would you like to share how you are coping at the moment.

Hello Kylie, & welcome to he forum. Please, eel free to contribute your thought, experiences, feelings & any thing you have done to help you cope with COVID-19 & these months of restrictions, lockdowns, vaccines, whatever you like.

I've been trying to assess what I can about 'Omicron' & what it will mean for me, & booster/3rd vaccine & when I will get it - I am in no doubt I will get the next dose, no matter if it is one brand or the other. Whatever I am offered. I have been advised to see about it as soon as possible, given some health concerns.

I am uneasy about crowded places, not being able to wear a mask, still, & knowing that doing everything but totally isolating myself forever, will not provide 100% immunity or protection from serious illness if I was to become infected. I have to still allow for some risk.

I've yet to encounter any major problems while I am out. Today, my helper was asked to verify that she had checked me in when she did the check in for us. The person there asked to see. We had no problem withthat.

My life & my concerns are still not as complicated as others, & I feel the frustration & pain when talking to people. As a border closes, people are again unable to get together with family & friends, & that's going to hurt.

I hope like heck we can soon be assured our health will not be threatened if we need to travel, need to, as I did, go to a hospital clinic, get on public transport, go shopping, go to Xmas parties, New Year's parties, everything.

It's been so hard on so many people, I would love us to be out of it soon. Doing everything we can gives us a chance to get there.

mmMekitty

I Feel all the fear of this covid time for myself and for all of you who have your individual fears...of separation from loved ones due to lockdowns, of the unvaccinated loved ones' health, and of covid itself.

It's the middle of the day and I find myself drinking because of the fear of the upcoming family Christmas, where I would normally be the most excited, planning recipes and gifts months in advance. The Delta was bad enough, but now having no protection against Omicron has thrown my world into darkness and gloom. My cowardly self is afraid of even seeing my kids and grandkids, where there is always so much joy and laughter.

The kids all have careers, lots of friends and colleagues and I'm convinced I will die this summer if I go.

I know it's crazy and selfish, but I try to remember the important things like gratitude and living each day to the fullest, but I had anxiety before covid, I needed meds just to travel out of town cause I couldn't breathe if I was 100kms between major Towns. The anxiety transferred itself to other issues because covid has plonked so many more issues on our laps.

Different to each individual of course. So please if anyone can send one sentence to snap me back into Christmas mode...I haven't even decorated this year not just because nobody is coming but even for myself.

I'm yet to have a session of my favourite Christmas songs I used to play over and over. Then there's the realisation of no Carols by Candlelight for how many years? 2? Not sure. My favourite night of all, like a child I am with fireworks too!

What happened to our world?

So if any of you aren't feeling as "Christmassy" as you used to, you are not alone. It just feels so empty though doesn't it? I haven't even seen the shops for about 10 months, the Christmas displays that inspire you. Nope.

Sorry, I'm doing old person rambling now, my daughter jokes about it LOL..

I hope you are all well and if anybody is feeling anxiety after feeling "safely tucked away in lockdown" and now we are free to mingle and catch covid? Please share your coping strategies on here for me to read.

My adult son is collecting me for our family Christmas next week and I'm excited, but it's shrowded with fear and gloom. I love them all like crazy, so why am I so selfish and self serving just worried about dying from covid?

Hey Doog,

Thanks for sharing this, we’re sure there are many people who can relate to what you’re feeling and will be really glad to see this post. It’s a really uncertain time, and the end of year celebrations are particularly hard for a lot of people.

We’ll probably hear from the lovely people on this thread soon, but in the meantime, we just wanted to pop in and let you know we’re here if you want to talk this through with our counsellors. If you feel even a little bit uncertain or unsettled but don’t think your concerns are ‘important enough’ to call a support service – they are. That’s exactly why Beyond Blue’s Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service has been set up. You can talk to a counsellor at any time of day on 1800 512 348 or via online chat. You can also speak to them about your anxiety and they can help you work out if or how you'd like to get some more support with this. 

It sounds like you usually get a lot of enjoyment out of doing festive things. Is there any one thing, big or small, that you have done this year or think might be achievable? We'd love to hear it if so.

Just one last thing before we go; you’re not selfish! No one can blame you for the way you’re feeling. The fact you’re worried about that and sharing it here where you can work through some of the fears and feelings shows how much you care for those around you.

Thanks again, Doog. It was brave and powerful to share this here, we hope you can feel proud.

Kind regards,

Sophie M

Maybe this sentence....

Put on some happy Christmas songs, sing to them dance around to them in your living room. Look at photos of your children and grandchildren frequently whilst making a gift for them or wrapping up there gifts.

Watch some Christmas movies. Decorate your house the best you can possibly do, with what decorations you have. And if homes are lit up around you, maybe go a walk and look at all the pretty lights.

Yeah that is more then 1 sentence. Sorry about that. You can do it. I am sure that young child is still in you.

Hello Doog,

It's very sad to hear how much fear you are feeling, & that ist is keeping you from enjoying what would usually be a wonderful time of year for you.

I'd love to share with you what your favourite music, is, so I can go search for it on YouTube. I'm betting on some old favourites like Come All Ye Faithful, Mary's Boy Child, Noel, & Good King Wenceslas - that's a fun one! I like Silent Night & songs like Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer & Frosty the Snowman I once wond a little competition singing The Little Drummer Boy, & got a bag of liquorice. I held it up to show everyone & much to their amusement, I held it upside down. 😺I still had the liquorice.

I can't say any words which would magically make things all better for you. There may be a small risk when you go outside your door & amongst people. We takes risks of various kinds every day, & unless you have some other serious health concerns, & have, for any reason, not been vaccinated at all , & don't/cant wear a mask, & know this is true of anyone you would like to spend time with, then that would make the risk greater. As things are, though, your risk is low. Not sure, please talk to your GP. They have information I can't reliably quote here, as I'm no doctor, nurse or anything, but someone who has listened to what they are saying Primarily on ABC News, & that from knowledgeable & well qualified sources. & I read a lot on our governments' own websites.

If you want to talk more, I will be around, more often in other threads, & intending to be around over Xmas & New Year. 😺

I don't know how big your place is, but if I could, I'd be decorating it, inside & out, & inviting them over. an outdoor picnic, bring a plate, sort of thing. Would that be a slight possibility? Even invite one or two people to help set things up. I would love to do something like this, myself, but my place is too small. It's just that a mainly outdoor Xmas get together would be COVID safer.

Maybe I'm Xmas Dreaming...😻

mmMekitty

I'm becoming nervous again.

I'm confused about why the governments (federal & state) are not wanting to encourage us to be taking more care while we are still learning more about the Omicron variant of COVID-19. & working to get us our next vaccine dose - I've just heard they have reduced what GPs are being paid to deliver the vaccines to us. That makes no sense to me. They have to have extra staff, this is an additional service for the practice, & with more people visiting the practice - all equates to more work & expenses to pay. The report was saying people are already finding they can't get appointments for this 3rd dose/booster as recommended by the government.

I suppose I'll be checking the Qld gov's website more regularly, again - just when I was feeling at ease with not doing that so much. It was always a possibility new variants would present us with more uncertainty from time to time, but a little more of a break would have been nice, so people could have a chance to feel they are recovering from all the lockdowns & restrictions, would have a chance to re-unite with distant friends & rellies, but no, we're not getting much of a break, if we want to be keeping ourselves as safe as possible, despite what governments say about how we can 'live with COVID' & ease up on restrictions.

For me, I was beginning to venture out again, but now, I will hold back & think twice about going into places which may be higher risk locations, due to numbers of people & whether we can or if people ar even trying to maintain social distances.

I need to go out for some things. Online shopping doesn't work so well for me. Other 'entertainments' I am considering are luxury items, so will not be doing them. I do need more exercise, & we can go outdoors for that. I'm still going to do what I've been doing for nearly two years. It is not ended yet. & I will grumble into the new year

mmMekitty.

I can feel your experience of nervous/fear/anxiety coming off the screen mmMekitty. And I am sorry, they are awful and heavy emotions to experience all right.

So do you believe you could give yourself a break? Maybe you are implementing this, I am unsure. Don't look at media. Because what I found it only made fear in me grow stronger and bigger. Far too overwhelming for me personally. Then focus on things in your life that are beautiful, lovely etc. Just fill your thoughts with these kinds of things instead. Maybe it would help, it has me.

Also I would encourage walking outside if you can. So that is a great thought of yours. As you are most likely aware fresh air, sunshine (vitamin D) and moving (walking) is helpful, especially more so at this time in history.

I know you didn't ask for advice.. So yeah hope its alright to give it to you.

I rung my doctor's this morning to book my booster.The lady on the phone said we haven't got supply of booster shots here yet.I asked her where I could get it,she said she had no idea.Wgat is wrong with people you think they could tell you where I could get it.Wgy dosnt anyone want to help?

Hi There Matchy69

I was online constantly googling my local vax locations, procastinating for months and I found a lot of places I called couldn't be bothered referring me an actual place. Some receptionists were actually rude and dismissive of my enquiry.

I found huge relief when calling our local Hospital and also HOTDOC (at least in Victoria) lists every place, Clinic etc to book a jab.

Please don't rely on just phone calls, as I also called the National Coronavirus Hotline and it was no more useful than the lint in my vacuum cleaner.

Keep trying, and if you cannot access internet please ask a trusted person who can google for you.

Hi Shelll, kindness & caring are always welcome. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ I've got it fairly well under control. I am not looking at media any more than I was a month or two before, which was less than I did last year & up until September (?), when I realised I had to limit how much I was seeing. Coronacast & some headlines, & I try to determine what info there is coming in about Omicron & booster/3rd dose. I need some info upon which to base my decisions, for my health, with regard to certain health conditions, & my inability to wear a mask.

As I am in Brisbane, I had decided I could go out more, & take the slight risk of infection. But now I have reconsidered that decision. I'm not as comfortable with easing my own restrictions, because of recent diagnosis & forthcoming treatment.

I spoke to my PDr, & so far, he doesn't have enough information, firstly about the government's announcement about continuing telehealth rebates, &, like me, not enough about Omicron. He does agree it would be good if I could get my next vaccine just as soon as I can, rather than wait until )for me) mid January. For now he still plans to re-open his practice to seeing patients face to face again. But if that changes, he said he'd email me.

I'd be okay with going to see him again, because my helper can drive me to & from, rather than me taking taxis with random drivers. That was my main concern.

I know I don't get out enough. I simply don't feel safe out walking by myself anymore. That's primarily about my vision, & being anxious about falling, or traffic or some other random event. It just makes me so anxious.

But you are right, geing out is important, & getting your vitamin D via being in the sun a bit, is better than getting it by taking a vitamin D supplement.

I've planned more time with my helper for next year, so that will help.

*

Hi Matchy,

I don't know what to tell you. I suppose the state's infoline will be jammed with callers who are trying to find out where to get their booster, too, but that is the only thing I can think of. It seems to happen often that governments announc things & then are not geared up to deliver. That's why I want to get in & talk to my GP now, rather than wait. I've been advised to get it, so I want it, NOW!, really. I hate waiting.

Good luck to all of us...😼 I mean, how much is going to happen over the next two weeks?

mmMekitty

Hello Hanna. 😺 You came in the window while I was typing? ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ for you & Matchy & well, anyone we chance to meet around here!

mmMekitty

Hi mmMekitty,

I can understand your anxiety about walking around outside - where I live they aren't putting paths (cement ones) on the footpaths anymore, so they are uneven, and anyone disabled/walking frame/having difficulty walking, is even worse off now. And yes Matchy, I have friends in the city in their 90s and they are unable to get the booster shot as nowhere has the vaccine to give it yet! They have phoned several places with no luck.

Hey Matchy....super nice to see you!

I nearly due for the booster....and even though I am double vaxxed...Im just going to book in with my GP

Merry Christmas!

Paul

Hey Hanna3

my mum is 91 and unvaccinated as my 55 year old sister is power of attorney (and an anti vaxxer) and has done everything possible to coach my elderly mum not to get the vaccine..... So....my mum is still unvaccinated and my anti vaxxer sister goes shopping and walks into my mums home with the groceries...and its legal

I just want my mum to have the vaccine.....not to mention the booster!

Happy Christmas Hanna and thankyou for all of your TLC too

Hi Paul,

I feel for you regarding your Mum's situation with the vaccine.

I'm not sure what the rules are in your state, here in S.A. everyone needs to have double covid vaccine to enter and Aged Care Facility, that includes the residents. People are being turned away from receiving care as they are not vaccinated.

These rules may differ from state to state. Might be worth having a look for future needs regarding your Mum's care.

Kind regards from Dools

Hi Paul, I keep scratching my head, thinking, to hold a Power of Attorney meant that your sister must have your Mum's best interests forefront in all the decisions she makes on her behalf, NOT what she prefers for herself. I wonder if the Power of Attorney can't be revoked or rescinded? Are you willing to look into that & challenge your sister's ability to make such serious decisions, while she is unable to seperate her personal views from what your/her Mum is likely to wan or needt?

If your Mum is denied care/therapy/treatment/the facilities of an aged care home, because your sister has not ensured your Mum is vaccinated, then that is a serious neglect. I feel appalled that this can possibly be legal.

mmMekitty

Unvaccinated ppl I believe can still enter stores etc here in Vic, as I think our vaccine rates are high.

I think when last sat the government moved the timeline for getting booster to shots to five months instead of 6, the pr and noise about boosters prompted a lot of bookings....the poor pharmacists, drs and nurses weren't given advance warning on this.

Really silly to put out there that we should get booster shots....but none are available?

So hard to plan anything or keep up with these changes and announcements. Matchy I totally feel the same!

Hi Doog’s

Your post really resonated with me as I too feel like I have lost the Christmas spirit in the last couple of weeks. I have put the Christmas tree up but don’t feel inspired to decorate it. I have 23 for Christmas lunch and am now dreading it. I was so excited last month, had my menu planned and table decorations sorted and now nothing,

This latest variant of Covid and the huge increase in numbers has set of my anxiety again.

We have cases in our rural town again and a friend of mine has tested positive and a group of us were with her for a Christmas lunch. I had a test just to be sure, although I haven’t been notified as a close contact, which has thankfully come back negative, but it has really rattled me.

I am supposed to be going to another Christmas party tomorrow afternoon at a very dear & close friends and I am so worried and anxious now about going.

I just can’t seem to lift myself out of this rutt at the moment.

Hope you manage to enjoy your Christmas with family and not worry too much.

Covid pandemic is one of the most challenging things I've been through. I thought I'd share my experiences along with some of the things that helped.

Firstly, I experience intense loneliness. Before Covid I could socialise when I felt like it (or not). Lockdowns and safety meant these things were severely restricted. Some friendships waned and probably will never really come back. But some improved, especially online ones.

I love to travel. It's the only way that I really get organic human interaction. But this was off the table. Human interaction became a bit 'planned' and artificial. I love to see live music (when I'm in the right headspace). This was off.

I've done all the right things and best things for myself, my loved ones, my workplace, my community. And just when I was finding my feet again, this week it's crashed. I'm in Newcastle NSW, and covid is rampant (a word a friend used and just seems to fit!). I've had to cancel, change, juggle, squeeze plans to avoid exposure sites (a difficult task) and will pretty much have to stay at home for the next week so as to not risk being in isolation for Christmas. Sitting home alone on Christmas day will almost break me. On top of this, my employer was going to require us to start working half the week in the office in the new year, after 20 months of almost totally working from home. I was going to have to put a case together to reduce this. Fortunately, in a weird way, the return has now been postponed due to the outbreak.

What makes this even more frustrating is that I made a deliberate move to minimise my news consumption and all the related arguments (I have had friendships end over vaccinations and lockdowns). But I had to go back to checking details so I could strategise the next week or so.

I'm done and I'm not sure how I'm going to handle another setback in this.

Thankfully I, and all of my loved ones, are vaccinated and well, even my mum who is nearly 80, and we're all in the one region. But I feel for my community and wonder when is the universe going to give us a break!

I have noticed a lot of my friendships have not really bounced back, we are being tentative and not really interested in catching up yet. Some of us got used to being apart.

Being an only child, I am used to being on my own, so being around a lot of people can be a shock to the system.

I have been back at work for several weeks now, working in a corner of the office far away from anyone, we have spaced out our workspaces and even using a spare office area to ensure we are not huddled up in one space. We will not be closing the office this year, due to losing work time with the lockdown, with most of us going back to work after the Christmas long weekend, however we are being more flexible with start and finish times, so we can get away earlier and come in a bit later.

I am spending Christmas with my parents and a couple of my Dad's ex work colleagues, we would prefer having family, but they are a pain in the butt. I personally would of rather seen these people after Christmas as in my opinion, they are not the kind of people I would have to Christmas lunch, as Mum and I never had much contact with these people Dad worked with. I would rather have closer, more long standing family friends, but this is out of my control.

Still feeling a bit obsessed with Covid, and not having any contact with anyone that is unnecessary, especially with this new strain.

I am feeling so sorry to hear so many in other states who want the booster and can't find it. WA critised how Eastern states took more share of the vaccines during the delta outbreak. Now, we are in the situation that the govt is desperate to get them into people arm (first dose, not booster)! They are having pop up at supermarket, super vax weekend etc. Honestly, i don't think inconvenience is the excuse anymore. People who want it would have it by now. I am a bit in doubt that our WA border would re-open. Do i really want it open? it is a complicated question because this virus isn't going away......it will never be a good time to re-open. I'm not rushing to travel but it does provide an option if there is a family emergency, which was an issue i faced couple months ago. Honestly, i felt safe to travel at the time as our case load is so low and was happy to do quarantine etc. I was at least glad that my mate got to see his father before he passed without going through all the paper work last month when the international border re-opened. It has been hard for migrants. Not everyone wants to travel for holiday.

As predicted, WA is completely shut to the rest of the country before xmas. Perhaps it is a move to boost the vax rate -- it certainly has proven to increase the vax rate in QLD once the re-opening date was announced. Perhaps it does work to get people booking for their booster. At least i did as I wasn't in a rush to get one knowing that i already have some sort of protection. I want to max out the efficiency when the virus really gets here. I could only hope that there would be enough for kids when they are eligible as i'm getting mine jabbed now knowing the date. My disappointment is that there is not much preparation here over the last ~20 months. A bit like we are locked in here to buy time and nothing has been done. Neither quarantine facilty nor extra hospital beds would be ready when the state re-opens. Preparation for school as well......A bit insane to go from completely isolated to wide open to the world without the preparation......

Yeah your not wrong in that last line there just heard today International won't even have to isolate now.

What a bizarre thing to come out with today of all days breaking new case records here and with the rest of the world already far ahead of us and back into 10s of thousands themselves and breaking their own previous numbers. Why would they bring in a no isolation thing here today, this wk of all times, seems madness.

rx

Just pondering this... I wonder of us people that experience mental illness, especially anxiety and fear. Well we look at a lot of issues through anxiety/fear glasses. And for us it just seems covid and everything related to it looks worse.

Hi Everyone

Thankyou mmMekitty and Dools for caring about my unvaccinated 91 year old mum

" I wonder if the Power of Attorney can't be revoked or rescinded?" Thanks Kitty....It can be yet it would be a long time in court....and mums health is deteriorating...even though she is still independent at 91..at the moment) 

It breaks my heart

Hugs and appreciation...Paul

Hi Paul

Is your mum in aged care or is she still at home? My neighbour has a friend who is 100 and still living alone in her home but with help from support with shopping and housework. Wonderful!

I'm worried about my elderly fully vaccinated friends here in NSW as the powers that be are letting this virus rip now. It's all about the economy and not about caring for vulnerable people. Governments should try to protect their citizens.

I hope your Mum is OK I can understand how worried you must be.