The New Normal
The new normal: Effects of a global pandemic on this carer
The world is in a lockdown or so it seems. No gatherings, no hugs, no toilet paper! ‘Social distancing’, ‘isolation’ and ‘quarantine’ are terms rarely left out of conversations. We have vague, fluid increasingly more restrictive societal controls being placed upon us, telling us who and what is essential. Children being home schooled en masse. University students and lecturers moving rapidly to adapt to online learning. Workers (or those still with jobs) are told to work remotely.
It’s interesting to see how inventive and flexible people and organisations can become when the need and understanding of flexibility suits the majority rather than a minority.
Services which I had deemed ok are actually not when placed under stress. With flexible working arrangements already in place with my role at UTS I have been fortunate to see how well this can work. In the world of COVID-19 however my internet speed and phone reception are severely slowed when in a household of four adults.
Our pandemic situation still presents its own obstacles to carers and demonstrates the diversity of the carer experience. Some carers are unable to get away from their carer role as they are seen to be onsite, therefore available to provide care rather than work or study. It demonstrates what carers face when working flexibly and also now shows the vital need to have dedicated workspaces away from home. Whether this respite comes from the act of going to work or study, distance is an essential wellbeing need.
Then there’s the wrangling of older parents. Adult children sitting their elders down to explain the devastating consequences of not abiding by government directions. This includes discussing their emergency plans including what they do should family fall ill. Even I have provided guidance and links to friends who have sought advice as they have had trouble convincing their parents of the same issues.
I’m acutely aware of that as a carer I’m in a privileged position on many fronts. I’m employed in a stable job, I have a home and because I’m employed I can continue to pay the rent. The people I care for are deemed to be vulnerable so they have the community checking in via phone and email to ensure they are ok and have what they need. When ensuring they have access to essentials they are ok. My father is a senior and able bodied so can attend the designated early community hour in place. My mother with a disability and in the aged care system qualifies to have groceries delivered under priority assistance programs. They also have meals on wheels deliveries and of course moi who takes great care to social distance, to provide home cooked meals and to limit contact with them.
I‘m trying to look at the silver lining of this COVID-19 pandemic. The increased demand for reliable IT infrastructure, flexibility in scheduling meetings, interruptions by kids, elders and well just life can curtail the judgement previously incurred. Working from home is now a norm and on a wide scale it is now being seen as a presenting its own challenges, not stigmatised as a perk or as a way which ones co-workers skive off. A large focus has been placed on maintain health and mental wellbeing. Noting feelings of isolation and factoring in the importance of checking in with others seems to be a new growth in communal wisdom. Poignantly the COVID-19 crisis has done more for carers’ advocacy than the best carers campaigns. These are all asks that carers have wearily championed over decades.
I really hope this experience of civic action on a global scale will increase the value, recognition and recompense of carers. That learnings of the masses will alter perceptions, induce empathy and comprehension of the challenges faced by carers in the community. And that visibility of carers is improved in a changed new (post coronavirus) world.
