Cam says
Well, fuck.
It’s week four of Semester Two and we’re now back in Lockdown. It’s Coronavirus 2: The Sequel.
I wish this sequel was something like Shrek 2; a worthwhile addition to the canon that actually gave real depth to the Shrek™ universe. Instead it’s like COVID-19 and the Temple of Doom. Except it’s bad. And the temple is New Zealand.
I don’t know about y’all but I was getting quite used to normal life. Last week, we published our sex week edition. We had saved this for when we were back in print and back on campus. We didn’t really know that by Tuesday night we’d all be drawn back into Lockdown for the next two weeks and university would shift online again.
The consolation in all of this is that we’ve moved fast. We have decisive and confident leadership that is backed by science and evidence. It took other countries weeks to enact lockdowns after similar clusters emerged. If we can all go home, stay home, for a few weeks and break the chains of transmission, with some luck we could be back to ‘normal’ before we know it. Besides, we still have takeaway coffee and that makes the day just that little brighter.
Stay safe,
Cam
Dan says
I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.
Two weeks ago I wrote an editorial in which I wished the lines in front of the HSB microwaves would disappear. Like Mr and Mrs White in The Monkey’s Paw, my wish has come true – but not in the way I had expected.
So again: I’m sorry. I apologise. I won’t be wishing for anything anymore. (Except maybe for National Treasure 3. We all need something to get us through these trying times.)
I hope that this lockdown goes well for you. I hope that you find that it’s a time to relax – a time to kick off your shoes, sit back, and crack open a bottle (or two) of your finest wine. Personally, I don’t mind the lockdown. It’s a lot of calling mates to talk on the phone, reading in bed, and pottering around parks with a mask on. I’m basically just living as a grandpa in my early 20s.
But I know that the lockdown isn’t fun for everyone. I know that some of you will be reading this from houses where you are dealing with family violence, or looking after people, or don’t have access to WiFi, or computers, or a study space. For you, I sincerely hope that things get better. Please don’t forget to check in with friends. Please do reach out to classmates. Please do use the services provided by the university and AUSA. If you have any questions about any of it, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Craccum – we’re happy to help in any way that we can. We’re sending you our best wishes. I know it’s not much, but it’s sincere – and I hope that it helps.
Stay safe, stay happy.
I’ll see you all on the other side,
Dan