Middle NZ: A walker's comment made my day

You can still take a walk along the beach while in isolation as long as you stay well away from anyone else apart from who you are isolating with. Photo / File

I'm writing this at my dining room table as New Zealanders try to imagine what it will be like to stay home for four weeks.

If last weekend is anything to go by, Mr Neat and I are in for a tough month.

On Saturday we decided to get some plants for the garden. That's not unusual for us. We visit the garden shops frequently to buy vegetable and flower seedlings and whatever else we need for the garden.

There were hardly any seedlings available. We managed to get some broccoli and rocket. I didn't actually mind at all. Our garden is nearly half full and it was fantastic to hear from staff that they had been inundated with people buying plants.

I'm not going to go so far as to say it's a plus to the virus that has turned all our lives upside down - there are no pluses.

I will say that it makes me happy to think more people are going to be planting, growing and eating their own food.

So after a bit of housework and gardening on Saturday, we decided to go for a walk along the beach. We parked near an older woman and basically set off at the same time. She went one way and we went another and we met at crossroads, said hello and carried on.

After about 20 minutes Mr Neat decided he was hot, should have worn shorts, "I'm too hot" and on and on he went.

We had planned on walking to a certain destination but it became obvious that this was not going to happen so we turned around and started heading back.

We ran into the lady again and as we passed each other — keeping our distance — I said "he wants to go back", she looked at us and grinned and as she walked on past, she said "what a wuss".

I laughed and laughed. It just made my day and reminded me just how amazing our elderly are. They are resilient and have a great sense of humour and that's what will get them through the next weeks.

Of course, there are some who are very vulnerable and others that have no family nearby.
I've seen many on social media offering help to people over 70 who have been told to stay home, and that's fantastic.

However, I would urge you to make yourself known — at a social distance — to anyone in your neighbourhood who you think might appreciate a phone call or simply to know that if need be they can call you to pick up some milk or bread for them.

The days ahead are not going to be easy. Every time I think about not seeing my family for at least a month, it brings tears to my eyes.

Linda Hall

Just like you I have people I am worried about. We all have a huge part to play in this and the following quote sums it up: "The virus doesn't move, people move it. We stop moving, the virus stops moving, the virus dies, It's that simple."

I think the next weeks will feel as if we have all taken a time capsule back 50 years. No dining, no shopping except for food and medication, children will be playing either in their own backyard or in their home.

There is no doubt it's going to be hard. More so for some than others.

I'm so glad I live in New Zealand with leaders who have moved fast and hard. If we all fight fast and hard we can beat this thing.

Be careful out there, look out for each other and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Linda Hall is assistant editor of Hawke's Bay Today.