It seems that the difficult times are persisting. We can’t feign surprise… we were warned from the very start of the Covid-19 pandemic that suppression would be complex; that it would likely be, at best, suppression only – and that recurrent ‘second wave’ infection should be anticipated. As we usually reap the predictions of our experts, unfortunately it seems that it is harvest time!
The attached graphs clearly show a heightened infectivity rate in the comparatively disease-proofed young, but a heightened illness rate in the relatively more susceptible old. Source [4th July 2020]: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-current-situation-and-case-numbers
Human nature is also oddly predictable. When differences like this surface between one group and another, it is the easy course for those in the more ‘damaged group’ to point a finger at those in the more ‘resilient group’, and call foul. Also predictably, some in the desperately socially distancing, hand sanitiser-splashing older set can now be seen gazing, brows furrowed in frustration, as their bullet-proof young mingle and meld, seemingly now oblivious to the ongoing pandemic.
But, be assured, not all of our youth are careless – or care less. Many have taken a serious, thoughtful attitude to the pandemic. They have sought to learn from it: to posit a better future.
Stand-out leaders among our more thoughtful young are the VCAL students at our very own Lorne P-12 College. These kids –Bailey, Che, Jenae, Justin, Maddy, Matt, Perry, Reif, and Sam – are standing tall, each and all, and I cannot praise them enough. They are to be congratulated for the responsible way in which they have worked together to develop a unique, community-wide, instructive and constructive project – T.A.L.L. … or Tales of A Local Lockdown.
T.A.L.L. is an on-line, digitally diverse platform [with a hard copy option for those less online adept] that seeks thoughtful, individual feedback regarding the positive and negative of the lock-down. The website can be found at the following URL: https://locallockdown.weebly.com/
The T.A.L.L. students hope to reach out to all strata, age-groups, and interests throughout our community. Working with the Lorne Historical Society, they have constructed a proforma that asks a small number of open-ended questions about the Covid-19 period. They hope as many as possible – and not just from Lorne but from all along the Surf Coast and beyond – will contribute by completing the online or written option.
They are seeking individual responses… so, if you hunkered down as a family group, they hope you will respond individually in preference to submitting a single group entry. They seek a sense of both the positive and the negative aspects of the isolation period, with the online option allowing freehand entries without word limits. They also provide all age groups with the opportunity to record any personal, reflective thoughts and/or unique perspectives. Respondents can self-identify or remain anonymous – by personal choice. But, remember this is a student website, not a social media platform, so please keep your responses civil, considerate, and constructive.
As they hope to reach as many in our community as possible, flyers have been distributed from the Committee for Lorne, the Surf Coast Shire, the Lorne Aquatic and Club, the Lorne Country Club, Lorne’s sporting clubs, and several other helpful groups.
Posters providing information RE online access to the T.A.L.L. website and its proforma, plus hardcopy proformas for those without Internet skills are available at the Supermarket and at the Post Office (after the resumption of third term). Return boxes will be provided for any completed hardcopy. Those from Aireys, Anglesea, Wye River, Apollo Bay and further afield are encouraged to contribute… literally, the more the merrier. Later in the year, a collated exhibition will be held in collaboration with the Historical Society to showcase the mood of the community during the period of lock-down isolation.
Their collation will create an historical snapshot of this rather unique period in our history [note: I have deftly avoided the use of the over-used descriptor ‘unprecedented’ throughout], a snapshot that will inform future generations of the worries in, the pleasures from, the hardships under, the creativity induced, and the psychology of Covid-19.
So, let us all help the Year 11/12 kids from Lorne P-12 College make their project a success… and please come on board. Encourage your family and friends to take the project to heart. Spread it by word of mouth. All contributions will be treated with respect and, if you so indicate in the ‘tick box’, with anonymity. The students have put in a lot of hard work and deserve a robust return from the community.
Again… the T.A.L.L. website URL is: https://locallockdown.weebly.com/
Let’s give them a boost…
John Agar
