Son’s veggie patch lead eases remote working issues

I couldn’t be prouder of him making do in tough times.

OPINION

A DOG is barking outside my window, a mower roars nearby and someone up the street revs his car.

They are probably familiar sounds of a Sunday for people who enjoy a leisure day at home.

However, for someone used to fulfilling Sunday duties in an office or out and about at Ipswich's sports fields, it's a strange new experience.

Working remotely is something we've been able to do at The Queensland Times for a number of months, thanks largely to a recent office relocation.

We were encouraged to set up work stations in our living rooms, a study or even more mobile locations depending on what needed to be done.

The dedicated QT editorial staff responded and we have largely been out of the office for two weeks.

Yet nothing really prepared us for the current situation.

Working full-time at home has advantages like access to fresh food and drink at your fingertips and even being able to sit at your computer in casual clothes and with no shoes.

My family is doing the right thing by self-isolating at home except for essential food or newspaper runs or going for a walk. The focus is get in, get out as fast as possible, keeping a safe distance.

Back at home, it can be extremely frustrating wondering about what else to do.

Despite being unable to venture too far, my son is a shining inspiration.

He's been doing his school work, watching videos (sometimes at the same time but who minds at the moment) and trying to stay active at other times. He's going for daily walks around the block.

Someone who enjoys the outdoors, he's now making a veggie patch in a garden previously overrun with weeds. It was his idea.

I couldn't be prouder of him making do like this.

My daughter has worked all night at the election so has sensibly retired to her room for a sleep. She knows she has to stay at home now except for work.

My wife also completed her overnight work duties before taking a well-deserved morning snooze. She's leading the charge, regularly going around the house with disinfectant.

I'm so grateful for all that.

But as a whipper-snipper interrupts some brief tranquillity, it's all one can do.

I feel for those trapped in quarantine quarters, some describing it this morning on the ABC's Australia All Over as prison-like.

It must be tough.

But we all have to do our bit if we are get through this.

Try to stay positive and keep in touch with friends online or by phone are common messages we are hearing. They are valid in our confined new world.

Keeping busy, like doing some gardening or extra house cleaning, can break the monotony for those not working today or feeling trapped in an isolated home environment.

As I return to focusing on sourcing more sport stories for the week ahead, I hope everyone can look after each other.

To use a sports analogy I can't wait to see active again: "Let's do it for the team''.

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