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OPINION

The Victorian lockdown 2.0 is taking it’s toll but it’s the small things that count

Victorians are battling their way through lockdown 2.0 but it’s those simple things in life that only now many of us are starting to appreciate, writes Sophie Elsworth.

Who could really go for a haircut right now? Picture: David Caird
Who could really go for a haircut right now? Picture: David Caird

OPINION: They often say it’s the little things in life that matter the most.

And that couldn’t be more true than now.

While Victorians are in the thick of what feels like the never-ending lockdown 2.0, many of us have been restricted from doing the things we know and love.

Basic human rights such as our freedom have been diminished.

Who would have thought Melburnians would have a curfew on them to be home and tucked up in bed by 8pm thanks to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ ever-changing rule book?

The things undoubtedly many of us take for granted have been taken away.

An empty Degraves Street. Picture: Getty
An empty Degraves Street. Picture: Getty

Seeing family and friends, going out for a meal, making a weekend trip to Bunnings, playing sport, taking the kids to the playground, going to a friend’s wedding or having after-work drinks.

Even getting an education or seeing our workmates.

Doing these simple things seems like a pipe dream.

But I did have a little luck on my side last week regarding one of those small things.

I managed to book in a haircut before hairdressers were forced to slam shut their doors for the next six weeks.

Man in his 30s among 12 new Victorian virus deaths

It’s one of the small luxuries I really look forward to every few months.

Shutting down hairdressers will undoubtedly make many people feel worse than they already do.

Getting your do done is an easy way to make you feel a million bucks.

Not many things beat a short, back and sides for the blokes and a cut and blow wave for the ladies.

Even such simple things such as having the lawn mowed have been banned.

The reasoning behind this seems crazy – how could someone possibly be a risk to another person while outside, trimming grass.

Good play to those who got in before the lockdown. Picture: David Caird
Good play to those who got in before the lockdown. Picture: David Caird

I feel most for older Australians or those people who rely on someone else to cut their lawns because they cannot.

They’ll have to deal looking out the window of their homes at scruffy crops of grass until at least September 13.

Too many times I’ve been told to make the most of things and that hasn’t seemed to make as much sense as it does now.

While many of us are locked up at home, there's one thing that we can’t be stopped from doing.

That’s picking up the phone and speaking to those you are special to you.

I haven’t been able to see my parents who live in central Victoria for months and I’m not alone.

It will be extra special the next time I do get to see them, when hopefully the state gets this virus under control so we can all get on with it.

sophie.elsworth@news.com.au

@sophieelsworth

Sophie Elsworth
Sophie ElsworthMedia Writer

Sophie is media writer for The Australian. She graduated from a double degree in Arts/Law and pursued journalism while completing her studies. She has worked at numerous News Corporation publications throughout her career including the Herald Sun in Melbourne, The Advertiser in Adelaide and The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast. She began covering the media industry in 2021. Sophie regularly appears on TV and is a Sky News Australia contributor. Sophie grew up on a sheep farm in central Victoria.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/the-victorian-lockdown-20-is-taking-its-toll-but-its-the-small-things-that-count/news-story/b5a29ee4a62c210c260fa88ea6e8e342