Pan Pacific Hotel, Rm 1214 (Melbourne)

Saturday 2 May 2020

We all know the saying … “a watched pot never boils”?  Certainly, there’s a sense in which the more you think about being locked up in a room – even if the lock is on the inside – the slower time goes and the more the walls appear closer together with each passing day.

Like the other day when my friend was waving from the bridge down below, and asked me on the phone … “What’s it like NOT being able to open a window and get fresh air?” … to which I jokingly answered … “Well I never really thought about it until you mentioned it just then…!”

There’s a sense in which you become what you think about … or put another way, you move towards those things that occupy your mind.  Think “confinement” and you’ll feel confined … Think “hungry” and you’ll feel hungry. 

Obviously “Mind over Matter” only goes so far, as I saw today in a news clip concerning other “overseas returnee folk”, confined in a hotel room for 14 days.    

Funny how I seemed to stumble across an online story that directly relates to me. Like you buy a Volvo and suddenly you notice how many other Volvos there are on the road.

Well, I suppose a bad experience makes better news, but there’s no doubt the whole “Direction and Detention” experience affects some people more than others … for a whole range of reason.  And of course we ARE talking “Western Australia” … say no more?!

Here’s a link to the article…

People placed in coronavirus hotel quarantine in Perth call for changes to ‘dehumanising’ experience

In normal circumstances, many of us would jump at the offer of being put up for free in a five-star hotel for two weeks, with all your meals provided.

But for some people, the experience of being locked in a hotel room for 14 days of coronavirus quarantine has been traumatic and “dehumanising”.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to force thousands into mandatory quarantine on their return to Australia, Perth man Chris Johnson is among those calling for a more compassionate system.

His wife, Denise, was still grieving when the couple flew back home to Western Australia from the UK on April 2 after attending a family funeral.

Instead of being able to come to terms with her grief in the familiar surrounds of their Perth home, Ms Johnson and her husband were diverted to two weeks of lockdown at a city hotel. The Article Continues …

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-02/the-cost-of-coronavirus-hotel-quarantine/12198708

The perspective of one security guard is also included here … (possibly an ex-security guard if his identity becomes known)

‘We were like their jailers’

While WA authorities said many people had positive experiences during hotel quarantine, Mr Johnson’s sentiments were shared by a security guard, one of about 1,000 employed at Perth hotels to ensure that passengers do not come out of their rooms.

The guard, who the ABC has chosen not to name to protect their employment, said they were disgusted by the lack of empathy shown to people in quarantine, many of whom were elderly.

“Our instructions were just to not engage in conversation with anybody, don’t tell them any information, don’t promise them anything,” the guard said.

“We were like their jailers. “I was like oh my God, these people aren’t prisoners.

“They aren’t detainees from another country. They aren’t here illegally. “They are our elderly people … why are you treating them like this?”

The guard claimed there was a doctor and nurse stationed at the hotel, but that they had no equipment to carry out medical checks in person.

Not sure I can agree with some media articles that suggest being 60 years of age is considered “elderly” … but meanwhile, back in Room 1214, just for fun, I read again the “Mandatory Quarantine” paperwork I received on arrival.

I still feel so thankful that I’m at the … “5-Star Hotel” end of the allowable-detention-accommodation-spectrum … rather than the “student dormitory” end.  Not that there’s anything wrong with student dormitories per se … after all, I spent a year in “halls” when I was at university … but we do get a bit picky as we get older … or, “elderly” – better get used to it I suppose?! 

Section 4 (1) (a) (ii) of my “DIRECTION AND DETENTION” notice, states that I can only leave this room … “Where it is reasonably necessary for your physical or mental health”  … Other reasons include … Compassionate grounds (that’s compassionate, NOT passionate) Receiving medical care, or an Emergency. 

I’m guessing a fire in the building might qualify as an “Emergency”, but it doesn’t go into detail.  

Speaking of “Emergencies” … One of the Q&A information-sheets posed the question … “What if I have more questions?” … no, I don’t mean that question, I mean this one …“What happens if a person in quarantine sets off the emergency alarms when there is no genuine emergency?   …

The Answer??? … Well, let’s just say, some things are NOT on the Government’s tab … as it clearly states … “you will be liable for the cost of emergency services responding.” Until I read that I never actually considered setting off the Hotel Alarm system …”when there’s no genuine emergency”. (Does an empty bar fridge count?)

As for smoking cigarettes … or anything else for that matter … that’s definitely out.  And what’s more, “the hotel may impose a substantial cleaning charge if you have smoked in the room”   Genuinely, if I was a pack-a-day-man, a fortnight in here could send you in one of two directions – totally over the edge, or 100% reformed.

So today I got to mark off “Day 5” on my de facto prison-wall. That means just 9 more days to go … or, in other words, I’ve served 35% of my time … but I’m not thinking about it.

I mentioned the other day that the choice of movies, on the hotel system, isn’t quite Netflix … (surely a “First World Problem” if ever there was one) … but I did manage to watch a worthwhile film last night called “A United Kingdom”.  About the 1948 marriage of a black African prince-and-heir, (from what was to become Botswana) to a white London secretary. As you can imagine, they faced a considerable number of hurdles but proved conclusively that love truly does conqueror all.  

As I say, it’s well worth a look.  It held a particular interest for me because mum and dad spent the first 5 years of their marriage building a house and clearing a bush-block, nine miles from Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia (what was to become Zambia) in the 1950s.  Not that mum and dad had to cross the “white / black divide”, but many of the images and circumstances portrayed in the film are intertwined into the early narrative and story of our family.   

And one of my favorite sit-com TV shows, is the “Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency”, based on the Alexander McCall Smith books of the same name – which is set in Botswana.  A country that still seems to be a shining light of parliamentary democracy (since 1966) in what you’d have to say, is a pretty challenging neighbourhood.    

You may not have realized it, but as well as being, “International Chernobyl Remembrance Day” the 26^th of April – just a few days ago – was also “Hug an Australian Day”.  This was pointed out to me, a day or so ago, by my Canadian penfriend.  It’s certainly a nice sentiment, and as the “Wellcat.com” website explains … “Hug an Australian Day is a perfect time to show gratitude and appreciation while simultaneously spreading a little love across the world.”

And you thought you’d seen just about everything … well, “Hug an Australian Day” … a day rendered somewhat impotent by the coronavirus (but there’s always next year) was listed alongside other notable “days”, including – “Bathtub Party Day, “Cat Herders Day” and “Show & Tell at Work Day”

Maybe some people have too much time on their hands … pandemic not withstanding …

I mentioned the other day that my mate John took advantage of a slight relaxing in the “Lock down” rules in New Zealand to make his way south to his home in Christchurch. On the way John dropped into Chaffers Marina to say a proper good-bye to Chimere, at least for 9 months or so. And while he was there he attached a Hi-Vis vest to the bow, in the interests of passer-by safety. Can’t be too careful I say! (Thanks John)

In more news from Wellington, my cousin Pearl (Keith’s sister) sent me a photo from the marina next door to Chaffers. It probably doesn’t need a lot of explanation … but it’s the sort of thing that puts a knot in the stomach of any boatie. Keeping the water on the outside, is Rule Number 1 when it comes to sailing … with Rule Number 2 being something like … “Remember Rule Number 1”

Having had Chimere out on the dry recently for scrubbing and painting, I took the time to “map” all the holes through the hull. Why would you put a hole through the hull of your boat? … I hear you ask. Well, after a careful survey, I counted 16 holes through the hull of Chimere, eight on each side … some small, some big. They are for such diverse, and it must be said, pretty important things … as … engine-cooling intake and exhaust, hand basin and bilge outflow, water-maker and toilet valves (not the same one you understand) the list goes on.

And the reality is … if any one of those seacocks was to fail – and they can – then the picture below may well be of your boat. As they say … “you learn the most from accidents … but if it can be someone else’s accident, all the better”

Smooth seas, fair breeze and five down, nine to go    

Rob Latimer