Second wave COVID19...created from a dirty pour symbolizing "hot spots". Victoria and NSW are two regions in Australia that were drastically hit with rising numbers of casualties and deaths due to a delayed response by some sectors of the community to the seriousness of the pandemic. Rest homes were some of the worst hit and "at risk" elderly most affected. However, the virus does not discriminate, with children and young adults also adding to the numbers. Both the above states took a hardline approach to the virus, closing borders and imposing rigid rules that saw business's close and severe changes to people's livelihood's through financial suffering. Mental health issues escalated and domestic violence increased as the pressures of lockdown uncovered the deadly silent demise of women and children at risk. Western Australia was relatively unscathed to the same extent as it went into lockdown earlier at the onset of the pandemic, halting the spread of the virus. Restrictions became more relaxed, mobility and business's continued as some vendors got creative at servicing their clientele via pick up services and social distancing imposed and adhered to. I consider myself very fortunate to have been in Perth during this time. I even got to spend time with my grandchildren during school holidays as the parents exercised caution keeping them home right at the start and insisting that I be tested before any contact was made. Although there were roadblocks between Perth and outer regions of WA, family members privy to concession clearance because of the nature of their work, were cleared to travel and that was only possible because of the considered forethought of their employment and I am grateful. Being with family during this time was so important and I feel for any senior citizen who did not have that contact. Recently NZ and Australia went into an agreement to relax the international travel ban and allow people to enter Sydney without a 14 day quarantine but some have taken advantage and continued on to "safe" regions such as WA and that is causing a stir. There was talk that WA was advocating to become an independent state and close it's borders to everyone!
"HOTSPOTS AUSTRALIA"
