WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2021

1232426282963

Replies

  • Katla49
    Katla49 Posts: 10,385 Member
    So far I've spent the day running errands. I have a meeting to attend this evening, but I'm planning to try it via zoom. I've tried this with limited success in the past. Keep your fingers crossed for me to succeed this time. :star:
  • grandmallie
    grandmallie Posts: 10,094 Member
    Ok took a nap,and starting to get a bit stir crazy.....my new roomate is an older italian lady with dementia and she ia sundowning bad poor thing.....im sitting in the recliner after my walk.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    edited January 2021
    barbiecat wrote: »
    :) Yesterday I listened to two podcasts about New Year's Resolutions and how they tend to come from one's inner critic snapping the whip. The suggestions were to be more compassionate toward yourself and make resolutions about changing attitudes and mindsets. Thus, they were saying that those of us who chose kind and compassionate words for the new year were on the right track. One of the podcasts was titled "Dump Your Inner Drill Sergeant".

    :) Another podcast was listeners' voice mails about what they were going to eat more of in 2021.

    :) Listening to podcasts while walking has improved my mental and my physical well being.

    <3 Barbie in drizzly NW WA

    Agreed! to me many many people keep saying, "just focus on finishing your thesis this year"...so I'm seeing what I can do. It seems impossible without putting some pressure on self. It's not happening in a "flowing" way. (non-ease which apparently seems to not be unusual, though there are exceptions to all).

    Some years I have made simple resolutions, such as, be as happy as possible, or enjoy life as much as possible, (maybe not exactly that, but something along that line)...but this might not be the year for only that, as much as I might like it to be...!!!!

    I guess just like some parts of day or week or year are more for relaxations and enjoyment, some years are more working years and other more enjoyment focused, more balanced...for many of us anyway, I think.

    For almost 6 years (with just a few little breaks) I had to put on my "uni blinders"

    https://equinehelper.com/what-horse-blinders-are-used-for/
    "Horse blinders work to effectively restrict a horse’s field of vision, forcing the horse to focus on what is in front of them. By minimizing possible distractions to the sides and rear of the horse, blinders often help a horse to perform with greater focus and dedication."



    Similarly, I had to shut my eyes to most of the "other stuff" and focus on university. There were, of course, things I absolutely needed to do like paying bills and dealing with my husband's situation. But there are a lot of things which I just left.

    So yes, some years are working years!

    For me, after 3 years, I was faced with the potential of 5 more years and that was just too much so I was motivated to get through it as quickly as possible and finished in just shy of 6 years in total.

    It's possible you may need to put on the "thesis blinders" and focus mainly on that to get it done.


    https://equinehelper.com/what-horse-blinders-are-used-for/
    "Additionally, horse blinders eliminate the potential for spooking, something that can cause disruption or possible injury during a race or pulling work."


    Now I've removed the "uni blinders" ... and I'm feeling a little spooked by everything else that's out there!

    Part of my thinks I need to prioritise and get the most urgent things done because I'm only on a short break from uni ... and then I have to tell myself that I've got time, I don't need to panic. But there are still a few more urgent things I need to do.

    Part of me just simply doesn't know where to begin, so I feel a bit paralysed by choice.

    Part of me wants to relax and enjoy the summer ... but then I start packing things into every minute in an attempt to enjoy it all as if there's never going to be another summer.

    Part of me knows I still have responsibilities and several things with deadlines have come up in the last couple months.

    I expect I will need to settle into a new routine and maybe that will happen in February. Semester 1 classes start again in February and I will NOT be attending because I'm done. Perhaps then it will sink in that I'm not just on a summer break, I'm done. And maybe by then I'll be able to settle into the new routine.


    M in Oz
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    edited January 2021
    Walking - I estimate about 200 calories per hour. I walk about 5-6 km/h.


    Northern Lights - I lived way up north in Alberta and used to see them quite regularly. They come in more colours than just green. :) They also have a slight sound. When I've heard them, it's been a bit like distant static.

    Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) - I would love to see them, but they're elusive!


    M in Oz
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    auntiebk wrote: »
    Machka what you said to Katla about an MRI, or at least an xray of the orbital sockets.

    Please consider at least an Xray. Hitting your face hard enough to break your lenses could also have fractured your orbital bones. :kiss:

    Yes!!


    M in Oz

  • exermom
    exermom Posts: 6,528 Member
    Did a body pump DVD today. Work tomorrow so I’ll just go by the steps.

    After exercise came home and had breakfast, then went to the foot docs since they needed to do something with the inserts. Only thing is I won’t get them back until next week. Then went to the Salvation Army, then Aldi, then stopped at TJMaxx and found two tablecloths for the holidays marked down to $8 each, then Target to return some protein powder for Jess, then Kohl’s to see if they had any bright red or green tablecloths (I don’t want vinyl). They didn’t.

    DrKatie – when Food Lion had sweet potatoes on sale (29 cents/pound) I stocked up. Been making sweet potato muffins. But you CAN freeze sweet potatoes. Unlike white potatoes, they don’t get “funny”

    About the vaccine: now my concern is that I’d be able to get it, only we’ll be in FL at the time. Wish I could get it earlier

    RV Rita – sending you a shovel. Maybe I should send a snowblower….lol

    I wonder what will happen to my job once enough people get vaccinated??? I guess that remains to be seen

    KJ – oh, I just love the pic of your grandson eating the snow

    Allie – I’m sorry your new roommate has dementia and is sundowning. In one sense, she should be grateful that she’s in the same room as you, you are so compassionate.

    Michele NC
  • barbiecat
    barbiecat Posts: 17,200 Member
    :)Over the years, I've had to readjust my priorities. Right now my priorities are staying safe and being available to my husband. That has changed a lot of what I do. In years past, my priorities have been different. In order to stay safe, I stay home a lot and stay out of stores. In order to be available to my husband, I've stayed home, eaten foods that aren't my first choice and watched things on TV that don't interest me. I've had to let go of certain thrifty habits like shopping at different stores for the best bargain and my desire to reuse bags for grocery shopping. In years past, those would have been high priority for me.

    :) When I have a disagreeable task to finish, I work on it first each day before I do the fun stuff.

    <3 Barbie in NW WA
  • Katla49
    Katla49 Posts: 10,385 Member
    edited January 2021
    Barbara & Machka: Paramedics from the fire department checked me out the night of the fall. The next day DH took me to the local clinic for a medical examination. I seem to have my wits about me now. My left wrist is still sore. My forehead bruising has significantly diminished. There are scratches on the outside of my left glasses lens, but the lens itself held together and the frame is flexible and remained undamaged. I went to my eye doctor the next day and had a thorough examination. She wrote a prescription for new lenses that should be ready in the next week or so. Thank each of you for your kind concern for me. It is great to have friends like you who care enough to speak out. I think I'm doing better now, and will be doing much better when I can get my new lenses. Katla
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    edited January 2021
    exermom wrote: »
    About the vaccine: now my concern is that I’d be able to get it, only we’ll be in FL at the time. Wish I could get it earlier


    I wonder what will happen to my job once enough people get vaccinated??? I guess that remains to be seen

    Michele NC

    How are you able to travel with the number of cases the US currently has?

    If one of our states gets 20 cases, travel shuts down.

    Even with the vaccine, we'll still have to wash our hands regularly, keep everything ultra-clean, and distance. That's just going to have to be the way of life for some time to come ..... I hope.


    https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

    M in Oz
  • sh0tzz99
    sh0tzz99 Posts: 971 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    exermom wrote: »
    About the vaccine: now my concern is that I’d be able to get it, only we’ll be in FL at the time. Wish I could get it earlier


    I wonder what will happen to my job once enough people get vaccinated??? I guess that remains to be seen

    Michele NC

    How are you able to travel with the number of cases the US currently has?

    If one of our states gets 20 cases, travel shuts down.

    Even with the vaccine, we'll still have to wash our hands regularly, keep everything ultra-clean, and distance. That's just going to have to be the way of life for some time to come ..... I hope.


    https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

    M in Oz

    Some states don't have any restrictions. Others do, but it's really hard to enforce them. Since each state is sovereign, it's difficult to get them all to do the same thing, especially as divided as we are right now.

    Tina
  • TerriRichardson112
    TerriRichardson112 Posts: 19,037 Member
    dlfk202000 wrote: »
    Finally back online and checking in. To say it has been a rough few weeks would be an understatement.
    Just after midnight on 12/30 I got the worst call ever. My dad suddenly passed away. Mom and him had gone down to be tested for Covid on the 29th and a few hours after he passed they were confirmed positive. We were all up there Christmas and yep, not only did my son and his girlfriend get it but I am 99% sure I did too.I was way too weak to drive the 30 min to get tested. I spent almost a full week in bed up there at mom's. She has been tired but not to many other symptoms.
    I was finally able to get up energy to drive the hour home on Saturday. That was it until today. Today was the first time to turn my computer on in almost two weeks.
    I will try and read all the posts and see what all I have missed.
    Really have missed reading about everyone's days.

    Debbie
    Napa Valley,CA

    So sorry about your dad. I hope that you and the rest of the family recover quickly. (((Hugs)))

    Meg: Good to see you posting again.

    Allie, continued prayers for your healing.

    Back is definitely much better today. We even managed a walk in our nearby park.
  • Katla49
    Katla49 Posts: 10,385 Member
    edited January 2021
    "Some states don't have any restrictions. Others do, but it's really hard to enforce them. Since each state is sovereign, it's difficult to get them all to do the same thing, especially as divided as we are right now.

    Tina"


    Tina is absolutely correct. We are the United States of America, and each of the 50 states is sovereign, with it's own State Constitution, laws and rules. Each state border is open to people from other states, no passport necessary.

    Katla
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    Katla49 wrote: »
    "Some states don't have any restrictions. Others do, but it's really hard to enforce them. Since each state is sovereign, it's difficult to get them all to do the same thing, especially as divided as we are right now.

    Tina"


    Tina is absolutely correct. We are the United States of America, and each of the 50 states is sovereign, with it's own State Constitution, laws and rules. Each state border is open to people from other states, no passport necessary.

    Katla

    Australia is also a collection of states with their own state constitutions, laws, rules, and area which they govern. Each state border is (usually) open to people from other states, no passport necessary.

    However, if one state, like say New South Wales, has a sudden surge of cases ... maybe 20 or 30 of them ... Victoria and Queensland will likely close their borders to New South Wales. Other states and territories may as well. When NSW's cases drop back to 0, the borders will reopen.

    Our borders are opening and closing all the time these days. If we travel, we run the risk of being stuck in another state, not able to leave that state and/or not able to return to your home state. Or we may have to quarantine for 14 days in the place we travel to or home on our return.

    So it's risky to travel.

    Here are the coronavirus border closure rules across all states and territories in Australia
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-11/qld-nsw-tas-sa-act-nt-wa-vic-border-closures-hotspots-explained/13047690


    M in Oz
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    ve91ehp9mlrq.png



    :):):)

    I do appreciate both my parents for encouraging me to play outside, to ride bicycle, to walk and run and generally be active in the great outdoors.


    M in Oz
  • sh0tzz99
    sh0tzz99 Posts: 971 Member
    edited January 2021
    Machka9 wrote: »
    Katla49 wrote: »
    "Some states don't have any restrictions. Others do, but it's really hard to enforce them. Since each state is sovereign, it's difficult to get them all to do the same thing, especially as divided as we are right now.

    Tina"


    Tina is absolutely correct. We are the United States of America, and each of the 50 states is sovereign, with it's own State Constitution, laws and rules. Each state border is open to people from other states, no passport necessary.

    Katla

    Australia is also a collection of states with their own state constitutions, laws, rules, and area which they govern. Each state border is (usually) open to people from other states, no passport necessary.

    However, if one state, like say New South Wales, has a sudden surge of cases ... maybe 20 or 30 of them ... Victoria and Queensland will likely close their borders to New South Wales. Other states and territories may as well. When NSW's cases drop back to 0, the borders will reopen.

    Our borders are opening and closing all the time these days. If we travel, we run the risk of being stuck in another state, not able to leave that state and/or not able to return to your home state. Or we may have to quarantine for 14 days in the place we travel to or home on our return.

    So it's risky to travel.

    Here are the coronavirus border closure rules across all states and territories in Australia
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-11/qld-nsw-tas-sa-act-nt-wa-vic-border-closures-hotspots-explained/13047690


    M in Oz

    It's the same more or less here, but it's impossible to enforce. California tried closing all hotels to out of state visitors unless they stay for 14 days, but the hotels aren't going to watch to see if they leave their rooms.

    It's just impossible.

    Tina
  • csofled
    csofled Posts: 3,022 Member
    💜❤️💙💚💛
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    edited January 2021
    sh0tzz99 wrote: »
    Machka9 wrote: »
    Katla49 wrote: »
    "Some states don't have any restrictions. Others do, but it's really hard to enforce them. Since each state is sovereign, it's difficult to get them all to do the same thing, especially as divided as we are right now.

    Tina"


    Tina is absolutely correct. We are the United States of America, and each of the 50 states is sovereign, with it's own State Constitution, laws and rules. Each state border is open to people from other states, no passport necessary.

    Katla

    Australia is also a collection of states with their own state constitutions, laws, rules, and area which they govern. Each state border is (usually) open to people from other states, no passport necessary.

    However, if one state, like say New South Wales, has a sudden surge of cases ... maybe 20 or 30 of them ... Victoria and Queensland will likely close their borders to New South Wales. Other states and territories may as well. When NSW's cases drop back to 0, the borders will reopen.

    Our borders are opening and closing all the time these days. If we travel, we run the risk of being stuck in another state, not able to leave that state and/or not able to return to your home state. Or we may have to quarantine for 14 days in the place we travel to or home on our return.

    So it's risky to travel.

    Here are the coronavirus border closure rules across all states and territories in Australia
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-11/qld-nsw-tas-sa-act-nt-wa-vic-border-closures-hotspots-explained/13047690


    M in Oz

    It's the same more or less here, but it's impossible to enforce. California tried closing all hotels to out of state visitors unless they stay for 14 days, but the hotels aren't going to watch to see if they leave their rooms.

    It's just impossible.

    Tina


    We brought in the army - there are military guards outside the quarantine hotels here.

    If you're a visitor, and if you come here from a medium or high-risk area, you pay to go into a quarantine hotel for 2 weeks.
    "All people undertaking quarantine in a government-designated accommodation facility are required to pay $2,800 per person."
    https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travellers-and-visitors/quarantine

    People do try to escape, but they get caught and are charged hefty fines.

    "Quarantine is very important to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Tasmania. If you have been told to quarantine at home, you must do so. Breaching the quarantine process may incur a penalty of up to $16,800 or face the possibility of up to six months jail time."
    https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travellers-and-visitors/quarantine


    So basically, we have to be very careful about where we travel.

    In our case, my husband and I can't leave the state anyway, and it would be super stressful if we were stuck somewhere, so we continue to explore Tasmania. As I've said before ... thank goodness it is pretty! :)


    M in Oz

    (To whoever disagreed, I've provided the link so you can read it yourself and see what I've said is true).
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    Wednesday -- Beautiful, sunny 26C (79F)

    68bm80oabrgr.png


    I'm up to 37 km of walking so far this month ... and this year! I'm in a challenge to walk 100 km this month. I don't think I'll do that, but you never know! That would be 3.5 km/day.


    Machka in Oz


  • Snowflake1968
    Snowflake1968 Posts: 6,950 Member
    Michele - if Rodger would go to the doctor they might be able to the bottom of it.

    Lisa - I must be a princess too. I absolutely despise getting my hands dirty or sweating. I kept many a wood fire though and I don’t know if I would do it on my own anymore or not.

    Katla - maybe call your local public health office. Here in Canada only public health will be administering the vaccine. You would get a good solid answer at least and maybe they would move you up the line.

    Flea - I’m glad you are able to stay with your Mom longer if she asks. I wouldn’t be able to.

    Machka - I swear I am taking a vacation with the sole purpose to be catch the Northern Lights. They show up long after I’m in bed most nights.

    I don’t have a lot to contribute tonight. Tracey in Edmonton
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    Machka - I swear I am taking a vacation with the sole purpose to be catch the Northern Lights. They show up long after I’m in bed most nights.

    Tracey in Edmonton

    For 11 years, I lived north of Grande Prairie ... the Northern Lights would usually show up in March and sometimes in autumn, if I recall correctly. And I seem to remember seeing them around 11 pm or midnight or so. :)


    M in Oz
  • skuehn48
    skuehn48 Posts: 3,046 Member
    <3
  • pipcd34
    pipcd34 Posts: 17,264 Member
    n5w6pi0tfirr.jpeg
  • evie1958
    evie1958 Posts: 864 Member
    Debbie, I'm so sorry to hear of your father's passing and of illness passing thru your family.
    Allie, thinking good thoughts for you! Sure hope your sundowning roomie doesn't disturb you too much! If she does, make sure you call in medical staff to settle her, that's their job, not yours, you are supposed to be resting too.
    Heather and KJ, great photos of the grands!
    Covid vaccinations: sounds like we will be lucky to get them by the fall, kind of a slow rollout here in Canada. Frontline workers and vulnerable folks are getting it first, hubby and I are really neither. He is an asthmatic with a heart condition, but he's not in a care facility, so his chances of getting sick are lessened. That plus the fact that he doesn't go anywhere..... good thing he's a homebody! lol And I am careful when I'm out, masked and distancing!
    I must get up at the crack of dawn tomorrow so I'm am off to bed!
    Hugs for those needing them, congrats to those celebrating and welcome to the newbies!
    Evelyn, Vancouver Island
  • OregonMother
    OregonMother Posts: 1,664 Member
    edited January 2021
    barbiecat wrote: »
    :)Over the years, I've had to readjust my priorities. Right now my priorities are staying safe and being available to my husband. That has changed a lot of what I do. In years past, my priorities have been different. In order to stay safe, I stay home a lot and stay out of stores. In order to be available to my husband, I've stayed home, eaten foods that aren't my first choice and watched things on TV that don't interest me. I've had to let go of certain thrifty habits like shopping at different stores for the best bargain and my desire to reuse bags for grocery shopping. In years past, those would have been high priority for me.

    :) When I have a disagreeable task to finish, I work on it first each day before I do the fun stuff.

    <3 Barbie in NW WA

    I have so much respect for your, Barbie. I aspire to be as content as you are and as present for my own husband as you are for yours.

    Flea
    Sleepless on the Olympic peninsula because of scary, scary winds. Pine cones and branches are being thrown onto my mother's roof! :scream:
  • OregonMother
    OregonMother Posts: 1,664 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    exermom wrote: »
    About the vaccine: now my concern is that I’d be able to get it, only we’ll be in FL at the time. Wish I could get it earlier


    I wonder what will happen to my job once enough people get vaccinated??? I guess that remains to be seen

    Michele NC

    How are you able to travel with the number of cases the US currently has?

    If one of our states gets 20 cases, travel shuts down.

    Even with the vaccine, we'll still have to wash our hands regularly, keep everything ultra-clean, and distance. That's just going to have to be the way of life for some time to come ..... I hope.


    https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

    M in Oz

    There are no border patrols between states (except agricultural checks going in (and maybe out of?) California. Some states have tried to restrict travel, but it's not enforceable. I tried to obey the rules when coming up to be with my mother -- got a test, quarantined until negative, and I am limiting my travel while I'm here. I've been here nearly two weeks, and except for my walks around the lake, I've been out of her house twice -- once to take her to the doctor and the second time to go to the grocery store. (We have been ordering in, but the gluten free bread they delivered most recently was so moldy, I couldn't eat it. I needed to go and pick out my own, to be sure.)

    Flea
    Willamette Valley, OR (soon, I hope)
  • OregonMother
    OregonMother Posts: 1,664 Member
    sh0tzz99 wrote: »
    Machka9 wrote: »
    exermom wrote: »
    About the vaccine: now my concern is that I’d be able to get it, only we’ll be in FL at the time. Wish I could get it earlier


    I wonder what will happen to my job once enough people get vaccinated??? I guess that remains to be seen

    Michele NC

    How are you able to travel with the number of cases the US currently has?

    If one of our states gets 20 cases, travel shuts down.

    Even with the vaccine, we'll still have to wash our hands regularly, keep everything ultra-clean, and distance. That's just going to have to be the way of life for some time to come ..... I hope.


    https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

    M in Oz

    Some states don't have any restrictions. Others do, but it's really hard to enforce them. Since each state is sovereign, it's difficult to get them all to do the same thing, especially as divided as we are right now.

    Tina

    Ha! I should have read your response first.

    Liberty and freedom are high values here. I wish we had pushed personal responsibility and the importance of community health, but it is what it is. I don't notice it so much until we have times like these.

  • OregonMother
    OregonMother Posts: 1,664 Member
    edited January 2021
    Machka9 wrote: »
    Katla49 wrote: »
    "Some states don't have any restrictions. Others do, but it's really hard to enforce them. Since each state is sovereign, it's difficult to get them all to do the same thing, especially as divided as we are right now.

    Tina"


    Tina is absolutely correct. We are the United States of America, and each of the 50 states is sovereign, with it's own State Constitution, laws and rules. Each state border is open to people from other states, no passport necessary.

    Katla

    Australia is also a collection of states with their own state constitutions, laws, rules, and area which they govern. Each state border is (usually) open to people from other states, no passport necessary.

    However, if one state, like say New South Wales, has a sudden surge of cases ... maybe 20 or 30 of them ... Victoria and Queensland will likely close their borders to New South Wales. Other states and territories may as well. When NSW's cases drop back to 0, the borders will reopen.

    Our borders are opening and closing all the time these days. If we travel, we run the risk of being stuck in another state, not able to leave that state and/or not able to return to your home state. Or we may have to quarantine for 14 days in the place we travel to or home on our return.

    So it's risky to travel.

    Here are the coronavirus border closure rules across all states and territories in Australia
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-11/qld-nsw-tas-sa-act-nt-wa-vic-border-closures-hotspots-explained/13047690


    M in Oz

    Honest question -- how is it enforced? Do you have to go through a border check all of the time when going into another state? Do you have special checkpoints set up for this situation? Or do people just obey the rules and don't test them?

    Allegedly, we can't even make sure people quarantine for the required/recommended amount of time. It used to be 14 days, then went to 10, and where I used to live, in Kansas, the county health officials reduced it to 7, in the hope that people will obey the recommendation if it isn't too draconian. They don't.
  • OregonMother
    OregonMother Posts: 1,664 Member
    So, I am really spooked by this weather.

    It is so beautiful here, and I often think I would like to live here permanently after I retire. The walks are amazing. The lake, pretty decent sized, is across the street from my mom's house, so we can kayak easily. It's an older community, so pretty quiet.

    And then we have nights like this, and I am just sure one of her trees is going to crash in on me. She's perfectly calm. (I went in and checked on her.) I do not want to see what it's going to look like out there in the morning. And don't forget! She already has a tree down, leaning up against another tree.

    Oh, dear. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. :cold_sweat:
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    edited January 2021
    Machka9 wrote: »
    Katla49 wrote: »
    "Some states don't have any restrictions. Others do, but it's really hard to enforce them. Since each state is sovereign, it's difficult to get them all to do the same thing, especially as divided as we are right now.

    Tina"


    Tina is absolutely correct. We are the United States of America, and each of the 50 states is sovereign, with it's own State Constitution, laws and rules. Each state border is open to people from other states, no passport necessary.

    Katla

    Australia is also a collection of states with their own state constitutions, laws, rules, and area which they govern. Each state border is (usually) open to people from other states, no passport necessary.

    However, if one state, like say New South Wales, has a sudden surge of cases ... maybe 20 or 30 of them ... Victoria and Queensland will likely close their borders to New South Wales. Other states and territories may as well. When NSW's cases drop back to 0, the borders will reopen.

    Our borders are opening and closing all the time these days. If we travel, we run the risk of being stuck in another state, not able to leave that state and/or not able to return to your home state. Or we may have to quarantine for 14 days in the place we travel to or home on our return.

    So it's risky to travel.

    Here are the coronavirus border closure rules across all states and territories in Australia
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-11/qld-nsw-tas-sa-act-nt-wa-vic-border-closures-hotspots-explained/13047690


    M in Oz

    Honest question -- how is it enforced? Do you have to go through a border check all of the time when going into another state? Do you have special checkpoints set up for this situation? Or do people just obey the rules and don't test them?

    Allegedly, we can't even make sure people quarantine for the required/recommended amount of time. It used to be 14 days, then went to 10, and where I used to live, in Kansas, the county health officials reduced it to 7, in the hope that people will obey the recommendation if it isn't too draconian. They don't.

    When the state borders are closed, there are border checks with police, SES and sometimes military. People need to show their identification and papers. If they don't have the right information, they are turned back or fined.

    One such bit of paperwork is the G2G Pass:
    https://www.g2gpass.com.au/initiative

    If people have to be in quarantine, they either go to a quarantine hotel and are guarded by the military (if they are not a resident of the state) or they go to a private residence (if they are a resident of the state) and the police, military and SES will check that they are where they are supposed to be. There has been discussion about ankle tracking bands but so far that hasn't happened. If people aren't where they are supposed to be, they are found and fined.

    Businesses (like hotels, restaurants, etc.) can turn people away if they don't have the right paperwork. A group of Queenslanders were "caught" that way last weekend. A local street food festival checked everyone's paperwork before letting them in and they discovered that these Queenslanders were from a "hot spot". They weren't allowed in and I suspect that the authorities were notified. I don't think anyone was fined because the rules had just changed that day and these people claimed not to know.

    Here are a couple photos of state border crossings:

    6azdpqxgd008.png

    kclgyv7dbqxs.png

    M in Oz