A window on quarantine

It was a slow and quiet week for many locals, with hundreds in quarantine or isolation after visiting an exposure site in San Remo or on Phillip Island.

According to the state’s Covid Commander Jeroen Weimar, last week there were over 805 local people isolating or in quarantine.

Between July 16 and 19, the list of Tier 1, 2 or 3 exposure sites reached 30, including 24 in Cowes.

Michelle and Greg Harrison spent 14 days in quarantine.

They said it brought them closer as a family, while their daughter Caitlin spent her time on some lovely art projects.

“Family and friends have been so kind,” said Michelle.

“My older sister sent us a grazing plate from Grazing Phillip Island. 

It made such a difference, so we paid it forward by sending one to our grocery collector (Rachel Dafner) and the Post Office who have been working on minimum staff.”

A positive outlook

After spending 14 days in quarantine, Stephanie and Mark Ippel said they’re grateful for the support from friends, family and the local community.

“Iso has had its challenges but we are all safe and well,” they said.

“Basically we’ve had to call the ambulance here and they were amazing!

“And our neighbour who we hadn’t met yet picked up our shopping and made us some fresh muffins. Our other neighbours own the French restaurant, and they gave us some free meals from the pay it forward they have and so did the Indian restaurant.

“I also got a delivery from two friends of some cookies from Island Cookies and have had friends collect shopping and petrol because otherwise when I got tested again I would run out.”

They said there wasn’t really a chance to prepare, as they had to isolate with no real warning.

“There are lot of little things you don’t think of.”

To date, there have been no positive results returned from any of the 805 local people in isolation or quarantine.