2020. This year started as a shocker after the completion of the shocker that was 2019. As an Aussie we faced entry to the new decade surrounded by fires that had been burning the length of the state since October 2019.  The constant smoke haze and subsequent air quality and pollution was unprecedented. The damage caused – unfathomable and just when we felt like we had started to claw our way back and the world was helping us finance the disaster with celebrities everywhere sending funds – COVID 19 hit our shores.

I remember saying early on – late January when we were first getting reports – that the Zombies would come in ships. I was joking – but then… they let a ship – a contaminated ship – The Ruby Princess go out – and come in. This was to become one of the biggest sources of outbreak NSW was to see. The Zombies arrived.

I toddled into work on March 11. They had already started damage control. I was sent home – to hopefully return in a few weeks time. But to set up to work from home with a dongle, a laptop and a wing and a prayer. And then the closures all started happening. And then the panic. There was no birthday lunch this year, there was no trip to the movies as the cinemas closed that weekend. There was only chaos and sadness and things that got scary. And all we could do was prepare our homes, try to purchase toilet paper and hand sanitser and bunker down for whatever was to come.

Its now the end of May. The world is slowly starting to wake up again. Some would say too soon. Some would say not soon enough. Others are spruiking conspiracy theories.

We have Avatars popping into our socials, business is conducted by Zoom,  work is being conducted on sandy beaches (because they have reopened in time for winter). We can book a holiday in regional NSW from June 1, but once we get there the “holiday” needs to be planned with military precision as everything requires booking. There is no spontenaity allowed.

We are in this for the long haul now. The key will be to be very aware and wash your hands and stay safe.  May your Avatar represent who you are. Mine is fat. And Im fine with that.