Project COVID Skies - Part 8

May 24, 2020 Geoffrey O'Hearn

Here we are another week down and another week closer to the easing of more restrictions. Social (or physical, really!) distancing is still imperative as restrictions get eased with more announced. In Victoria from the 1st June, we will be able to have gatherings of up to 20 people and pubs and cafe’s can open with limits of up to 20 people. The serving of alcohol will only be available to seated patrons.

The number of new cased as ticked along at a steady slow rate with most coming from known sources. High levels of testing will need to remain and the public really needs to take the advice to not go out if displaying even the mildest of symptoms of a cold or flu. The simple message is if not 100% well then stay home.

The easing of restrictions and the return of workers to office buildings will be one the biggest challenges in terms of keeping transmission low. There will be much higher risk as people travel more, spend more time in close proximity to others and use more shared touch points. The increase in people travelling to work and the return of students to school will pose many difficulties as capacity on public transport is reduced which will put greater strain on the road networks. As such, if you can work from home then you should still work from home.

The weather is cooling down more. We had a few nice days with a chill in the air and a few days with some rain including one 2:00 am storm that did some serious damage in the Melbourne area and hitting Geelong the hardest.

Project COVID Skies - Part 5

May 3, 2020 Geoffrey O'Hearn

Another week under the COVID-19 restrictions has passed and there has been some progress with some freedoms being given back. Residents of Queensland and NSW are allowed to get out a little more, shop for non-essential items and visit some people. Social distancing is still required. The ACT has no active cases and the numbers across Australia have remained low with most cases coming from known clusters. The launch of the government’s contact app has had a steady take up with approximately 4 million downloads at this point.

Our brothers and sisters in New Zealand have also had their restrictions revised from the very strict full lock down of level 4 to level 3. It seems the thing the Kiwis missed the most was their fast food fix, or maybe just over home cooking, either way queues at fast food drive thru locations were extensive and out of the surrounding streets.

The NZ Warriors in the Rugby league today are flying direct to Tamworth to set up quarantine and base for a hopeful and eventual return to competition later in the month. The AFL is waiting a little longer for their plans to be made available. For many at home the return of sport is something to look forward to and even though these competitions will be held without crowds, it will be a welcome return for many and a fix for those craving their weekly dose of footy.

27th April 2020 4:55 pm There was not a cloud in the sky most of the afternoon.

Project COVID Skies - Part 2

April 12, 2020 Geoffrey O'Hearn

Another week has passed in effective isolation. The current restrictions mean the only time I leave the house is to go to the supermarket or for a walk to get some exercise.

Living in outer suburban Melbourne, the houses are tightly packed in together so at home there is not much to look at from left to right. The only other option is to look up at the skies.

Melbourne’s ever changing weather brings about dramatic contrast, often in the same day. It is not an exaggeration when people describe Melbourne as having four seasons in one day.

6th April 6:14 pm. The golden light of sunset breaks through the storm clouds.

7th April 2020 8:13 am. A patch of light through storm clouds

8th April 2020 8:47 pm. Miracle of miracles, the Melbourne sky is clear for a celestial event. The pink super moon is the brightest of the year. This image was not captured at the optimal time.

9th April 2020 10:43 am. Not a cloud in the sky, the only interest was the constant circling of aircraft as the flight schools operated all day long.

10th April 2020 6:46 am. The sunrise just breaking through to add a splash of colour to the sky.

11th April 2020 2:24 pm. One of those days where one minute is raining then the next sun then the next raining again.

11th April 2020 5:37 pm. The setting sun casts golden highlights on the dark clouds.

11th April 2020 5:38 pm. Seeing the light through the storm.

12th April 2020 7:01 am. Easter Sunday looking East

Project COVID Skies - Part 1

Project COVID Skies - Part 3