QuaraNTine

It's Day One of my quarantine in the Northern Territory. The NT Centre for National Resilience (aka Howard Springs quarantine facility) is my abode for a fortnight before I am released into the wild into Darwin.

So here I am, spending 14 days alone and thinking of ways to occupy my time creatively / positively / without going bonkers. Howard Springs accommodates about 3000 people; I am located in a block of four cabins. I have my own section of the balcony (that's my Kindle below) where I am allowed to sit, so at least there is access to the outdoors — unlike being in hotel quarantine where windows can't open.

I can see a total of 12 cabins from my vantage point. Diagonally across from me is a couple of commercial pilots who have moved north for work. The woman spends her day sunbathing in her tiny bikini on the balcony, and watching her turn lobster-red has provided some entertainment today. A young-ish man in another nearby cabin has a tele-job speaking to prospective students for some university. He's Irish, and is on the phone a lot.

The inside of my cabin, and presumably all others, is utilitarian and functional. There's a fridge, kettle, TV and excellent wifi.

I arrived yesterday on a flight from Melbourne. I had been granted exemption to enter the NT from a COVID hot spot on the basis of my new work contract. All well and good for me, but some of the passengers on the same flight had clearly misread some of the NT requirements. It took about 4 hours from the time we landed to sort out who was allowed to stay, and who was not. Those of us who had the correct documentation were given a green wristband at the airport; those who did not were given an orange wristband. Our group of 23 people on the bus from the airport to the quarantine centre included us virtuous green-ers as well as those wearing the Orange Wristband of Shame. The latter group were housed for one night before being returned, at their cost, to Melbourne today.

Suffice to say that there were many temperamental outbursts from the orange wristbanders. Threats of legal action ensued, as did promises to Reveal All to the Media. 'I will contact the minister!' shouted one red-faced man. The NT police in attendance had clearly heard this all before and were unmoved by southern outrage.

Ken has wisely opted to stay at home until interstate borders open and quarantine is not required. Wisely, perhaps, but also well-wrapped: Melbourne is currently experiencing a cold snap, with temperatures down to about 10 degrees. Here in Howard Springs it's 33 today, going up to 35 tomorrow. It's windy, though, which makes it feel cooler.

I've done my best to stay active today with every-form-of-exercise-in-a-limited-space I can think of, aided by YouTube, but sadly there's been no Time Warp, Nutbush or Chicken Dance (or ballet company) in my neck of the woods.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-24/howard-springs-covid-quarantine-time-warp/100320392

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-02/bangara-dancers-quarantine-howard-springs/100334890