Corona virus (COVID-19) may not have yet taken over the world, but talk of it certainly has, along with its impact on our global community, including sanctions to slow its spread. And Australia is not immune. (Sorry, lab humour.)

Unless you’ve been in a coma these past few weeks, you’d also know Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita, were quarantined in Australia after testing the positive to the virus.

Even in that short space of time, things have continued to “roll” along at speed (had to squeeze a loo paper reference in there somewhere), with quite a few Australians not on their best behaviour. Sadly, those most impacted are the vulnerable, particularly our aged community. For that reason, aged-care facilities are now in lock down,reducing the already limited contact some of these darling folk have with family and friends.

Which brings me to my point.

Once upon a time, in a distant land where phones sat on desks or phone tables 100% of the time and were plugged into the wall by a cord and decorated by a strange circle with holes in it, there was this thing called mail. (You may have heard of it? 😉) In fact, it was common to say, “Send a letter, it’s cheaper.” How times have changed. Anyhoo …

This letter-writing period is one those locked down in aged-care facilities would remember well. That delicious moment you’d go to the mailbox and discover “you’ve got mail”! (And if you know the movie starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, you’ll get this completely.)

So, my point is, what a great time for all of us to write!

Even if we can’t visit those locked down in aged-care facilities, we can still write letters. (But if you’re flu or cold or corona virus affected, especially until more is known about the persistence of COVID-19, let someone else do the writing until you’re well—and don’t lick the stamp and envelope seal if you’re sick!)

Letters don’t have to be long. You could even get creative and send a letter for everyone in a facility to read. It’ll cost you a little over a dollar, maybe more if you decide to send a card, but what a great way to let our aged know they’re still a vital part of our community.

Seriously, let’s not neglect those at the mature end of our age spectrum—a group steeped with knowledge and experience even Dr Google can’t top. (True story.)

Let me know your thoughts, or if you’d like some tips on what to write about, see my next blog … For which I’m planning something a little different. 😉

See you then!