Now ye're talking - to an Irishman in mandatory quarantine in Australia

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118110888#Comment_118110888

I can only speak for Adelaide and South Australia as that's where I am and that's where the in laws are.

Their lives are normal ( with masks) and have been since the beginning. They've had 4 deaths from Covid.The price they pay for this is temporarily halting tourism and travel in and out of their state.Their vaccine roll out was a bit slow compared to other states but they are opening their borders in 3 weeks.

They are delighted with the way they've dealt with it and who could blame them?

There seems to be a bit more unease in Victoria and NSW ( because they've had lockdowns) but there aswell the overwhelming majority support the way things have panned out.

I don't want things to turn into a Covid thread but in my opinion they've done a better job than any other first world country (granted they had some natural advantages)

As a country Australia has always freaked me out with its nanny state ways,I also feel they lack compassion and I've never felt that more than now typing this as I sit here looking down on an army lad standing out front of the Quarantine hotel but it's worked for them on this occasion.

Sexual Chocolate

What's the weather like ? I was in Adelaide about this time 3 years ago for a few days and it was like +35 degrees. I lived 4 hours away in rural NSW and used to go there to keep myself sane.

It was probably one of my favorite city's over there due to the chilled vibe but work was nowhere as easy to find compared to Sidney imo.

Where you a backpacker/WHV over there at some stage ?

Fun fact: A pint in South Australia is not actually a pint. It is just what they call a schooner and as I learned one night 😅

smurfjed

What’s the issue with chrome cast? The TV won’t accept it or it won’t connect to the hotel WiFi

SAMTALK

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118109247#Comment_118109247

I can't imagine what that must be like. No fresh air for 2 weeks would be a step too far for me

robinph

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118111787#Comment_118111787

Even people who have been locked up for criminal activity, rather than just being tourists, get let out for fresh air. I expect that is where the complaints about it being conditions which are contrary to something from the UN comes from.

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118111725#Comment_118111725

It won't accept hotel WiFi I think. Its a bit of an issue as we have limited comforts at the moment and the TV is obviously an important one.We have options though, we have two laptops with us and a hdmi cable,however my Mrs who is working 6pm til 2am ( prime tv watching hours needs both of them) Currently I'm mirroring my screen off my Samsung phone to Samsung telly which is doing the job but not great picture and dropping from time to time.

I asked reception and they said there is no reason why the chrome cast shouldn't work as others have managed it.

Ps For my sins I'm currently watching last nights Prime Time! (Must be for a bit of familiarity in a weird time I guess)

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118111712#Comment_118111712

Was 31 degrees yesterday and 20 degrees today! Seems to be a lot of variation at this time of year.I was only here once before, that was in 2018 same as you,my Mrs is from here but I met her in ireland.Ive lived half of my adult life abroad but was never a backpacker in Oz and it never really appealed to me.

Adelaide seems to be a sleepy middle aged city to me which ( as somebody in my 40s and rapidly approaching middle age) doesn't seem like a bad fit.

The size of the pints is a major bugbear of mine though,scooners,glass,pints,etc none of them as big as our normal pint at home.How this is the case in such a hot country escapes me!

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118111787#Comment_118111787

Yes,totally unacceptable in my opinion.The thought of it caused me massive anxiety (which I'd never experienced before) I had to seek medical help get on meds,stopped eating,lost weight and had to take time off work over it.

We are so so lucky (and I mean top 5% lucky) that not only did we get a balcony, but we got a suite in a 5 star hotel that's more like an apartment and would be about €300 a night.

I contacted Boards about 6 months ago with a view to doing an AMA but as the time got closer it became evident that it mightnt be a good idea,it was only after being allocated this place that I felt there'd be no problem.

Other people paying the same amount and just pot luck are in sealed rooms, many with kids and having to order in food because what provided isn't edible,I'm in private fb groups with them, it's fairly scandalous.

We get daily calls from the police ( not sure why) and mental health nurses,both the nurses on the phone and the ones who come to the door to do pcr tests commented on our suite and said its the least people should be entitled to.I didn't bring this up, they said it to me.

Sexual Chocolate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118111942#Comment_118111942

Yeah it gets hot out that way. In Feb 19 I think Adelaide broke it's record with 46 degrees. We were about 51.

If you haven't tried already when ur back out and about try McDonald's gravy fries 🍟, there unreal 😂

Very little fresh air/ not allowed outside/ over 30 degrees, and barely at the end of week 1 of torture 😲..... Am probably not the only one thinking this; but I'm gonna come out with it anyway.... Things must be getting "backed up" for a lot of the inmates there.. Esp for those, who, in loo of a regular 'conshitutional' 😂 , might opt to 'take a few pulls' (but that is proscribed ☹️) to 'induce labour' , so to speak... 😁 Are the local chemists 'gouging' on the aul dulco or the senna based products over there.. A shrewd concierge, or Chinaman (it's been known 😏) ; who, in advance of the edict, might have filled their boots with these lifesaving products; in anticipation of a high demand, da barstewards 😠 😟 Or maybe I'm projecting, and everything's hunky dory in the rectal region 😅

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118112179#Comment_118112179

No way? In proper McDonald's? I'm all over it

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118112195#Comment_118112195

You're over thinking it! Fruit,fibre and cider are doing the job.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118112233#Comment_118112233

😊 Good to hear haha..

smurfjed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118111863#Comment_118111863

Chrome of Apple TV don’t have a way to enter the hotels password, I believe that ROKU is the only one that allow you do that, or go the whole hog and use a Raspberry PI.

14 days quarantine is a doddle if you set your mind positively, set a plan for each day.

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118112644#Comment_118112644

Cheers for the info,the Samsung mirror seems to be working a bit better today.

I agree with you about mindset,but to anybody who thinks ita a doodle I invite them to try it.

smurfjed

I guess that i have gotten used to it. About To start a 28 day quarantine rotation tonight :)

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118114753#Comment_118114753

I don't understand, what's a 28 day quarantine rotation?

Do you have any regrets about doing this so far?

Ruggabugga101

Have you got a pair of budgy smugglers...when in Rome and all that and if not, will you get a pair for your summer there?

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118115464#Comment_118115464

Because of the way things turned out ie us getting an executive suite in 5 star hotel crucially with a balcony, no I don't.

I can't say I'd say the same if we were in a sealed room getting onto the mental health team everyday dosing us with xanax and sleeping pills.

Of course the first situation is preferable to anybody but you are much more likely to end up in second situation.As somebody with claustrophobia this is my actual worst nightmare.Some people are afraid of heights,some water,some snakes or spiders well being trapped in a sealed room in my worst fear.

As it stands dare I say I'm starting to enjoy it! Of course this is helped by the fact there's a definite end date.The whole stress and build up has worn off.its a very weird,unique and interesting situation. Your world is condensed down into a tiny amount of options ...

Food,drink,sex,TV,Internet,books,phone,excercise and that's basically it.There is no uncertainty and very little decisions to make,also pretty much zero responsibility. Once you accept this it's very comfortable,there is literally nothing else to think about,everything is slowed down and there's no stress.Its so interesting to me and I hope to learn something from it.

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118115999#Comment_118115999

I think the sight of a pasty white irish man carrying 2 weeks of quarantine fat is enough for them. I'd only be taking the piss with a banana hammock!

Do you think you could do a jail sentence.

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118116332#Comment_118116332

Wouldn't have much choice in the matter would I?!

Slideways

The idea behind the smaller drinks glasses is that the beer gets hot much quicker so a pint is luke warm when you’re close to finishing it.

Kalgorie cool beer is not a good thing, I’ve drank warm Tinnies of XXXX gold from the boot of my car, it’s not a glorious feeling

robinph

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118117251#Comment_118117251

That sounds like a reason invented after the event in order to make it seem like a good idea to sell smaller drinks.

Edit: Seems more to do with taxation and rationing as to why the non pint measures were setup:

https://www.brewsnews.com.au/2011/01/17/schooner-wars/

Hotblack Desiato

In the six o'clock swill days there'd have been no prospect of a glass of beer getting warm 😉

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_o%27clock_swill

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

I'll be 6 o clock swilling everyday for a week once I get out of here!

smurfjed

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118114753#Comment_118114753

Since the start of this pandemic, my colleagues and I are quarantined whenever we are on work duty. Even now with triple vaccinations and regular PCR tests. We are restricted to hotels where we cannot interact with non-quarantined people. Longest that I have stayed quarantined in a hotel was 86 days.

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118121936#Comment_118121936

Thanks for coming back to the thread,I was genuinely interested but I still don't get you? You're in quarantine 86 days? You work in aviation? What country?

Man Vs ManUre

Are there any kangaroos in the room??

smurfjed

Our company implemented various levels of quarantine for all employees as a way of protecting our clients. 18 months later we are still doing it.

At this stage i have spent over 500 days in various levels of quarantine.

Fingers crossed that it will end before 2024 or 25:):)

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118123731#Comment_118123731

That's an interesting post but definitely raises more questions than answers.

What industry? I've never heard of anything like this.

Is this all in one country? What country?

When you say various levels of quarantine what do you mean? Is that all mandatory hotel quarantine?

faceman

Interesting to hear your perspective of racism in Australia

Also, are you and the missus doing the bold thing when she’s supposed to be working?

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118128752#Comment_118128752

I've only been to Australia omvr before so wouldn't be the best qualified to answer. I can only say I never seen or heard any hint of any sort of racism while I was here.

As regards you 2nd question......i think maybe once or twice during her work hours! Not a whole lot for doing in here.

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118123731#Comment_118123731

Could you come back and give a little more detail?

If any of this is true its more interesting than the original thread!

It doesn't stack up for me I'm afraid.If the pandemic has been going on for let's say 19 months that's approximately 570 days.You say you've spent 500 of those days in hotel quarantine? Sorry but going to have to call BS on that.

smurfjed

Good morning or at least good afternoon. I wish that it was BS :):) I can only allude to what’s going on around me thanks to various NDA’s.

But looking on the bright side, I have a great Nespresso coffee machine and unlimited coffee.

robinph

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118130137#Comment_118130137

Possibly going to work as per normal, but on a closed site, then back to the hotel each evening rather than back home. But still 500/570 days sounds unusual, oil rig workers (who are otherwise living and working in a closed site with no outside contact for months at a time) wouldn't be spending that much time on the rig per year.

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118131453#Comment_118131453

.rrrt

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118130350#Comment_118130350

OK,you seem genuine enough but at the same time you're saying you spent over 500 days of the last 570 days in hotel quarantine somewhere in the world I simply can't believe that.One of those stints was 86 days?I cant think of any situation in any industry where this could happen.The fact that you say you can't explain the above because of supposed non disclosure agreements kind of cements my hunch that this is nonsense.

None of what you've posted is believable, I imagine I'm not the only one reading your posts and thinking the same.If in the very unlikely event of any of it being true I'd love to know the details.

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118131453#Comment_118131453

Im afraid it sounds like bs to me,I'd be interested to hear what other boardsies think.This poster saying they can't go into details because of non disclosure agreements? That makes it sound all the more made up.

Under what circumstances would you be in MHQ for 86 consecutive days? Under what circumstances would you be in MHQ for 85% of the last 19 months?In what country did this supposedly happen? I'd be grateful if the poster came back and aswered some of these questions but think that's unlikely.

Also going to work on a closed site is not being confined to a room or MHQ.

smurfjed

It’s extremely unlikely that i shall answer your questions in full, unless i get drunk again. Anyway time for my 4th PCR of this week.

faceman

OP some more questions if that's cool.

Touching wood when I ask this, if your mental health did take a downward turn during quarantine, what measures are in place to help you if at all?

If an emergency arose while in quarantine and you had to return to Ireland, would you be permitted to do so?

Not suggesting you do this next one btw, but if you decided you wanted to sneak out and escape. Have you mapped an escape route and would you encounter any resistance? (In Ireland the Gardai were called but many escapees were never located afterward lol)

Does the hotel wifi permit the illegal downloading of tv shows and movies?

If then hotel had to evacuate due to an emergency like a fire etc, would your evacuation point be different to everyone else? Presumably your door isn't locked from the outside?

Is it difficult to watch porn on the sly with the missus hanging around? Im sure the whoopee between you is great, sometimes you need a bit of dirt on the telly box to get by, AMIRIGHT? 😝

Noo

How long has your partner lived in Ireland? After all the separation covid has caused for families, do you think this trip may spark some desire for her to move back to Australia?

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118132894#Comment_118132894

I'll try to answer a few!

There's a daily call from the health team,if you have any mental health concerns you can contact them.They can help by talking it out and reassuring people.Many people like myself knew that they would struggle in a small sealed room with no fresh air for 14 days,many others thought well it's not ideal but I'll be grand,a lot of those people werent grand and were onto the nurses.I personally find the idea of them having a chat and trying to talk you down fairly patronising in this situation. If a person has issues just move them to a proper room ffs.Fortunately neither myself not my partner came close to calling them.If I was struggling I would have said let's skip the chat and get the xanex and sleeping pills up here fast,in fairness from chatting to others that's their only real role in how they can help and lots have to go this route.They can't help you change room or hotel,it's a pretty fùcked up element of the situation.

If an emergency came up while I was in quarantine then no,I wouldn't be allowed leave.

The best escape plan having experienced the set up now would be to have blue gown,gloves,mask,faceshield to wear.Wait until one of the days the testing nurses are on your floor and walk out,hopefully you'd blend in and might get to the door.This plan could also work (Maybe better) on days when they're taking in groups of guests/inmates,if you could get to the lobby then it might be a bit more chaotic.Overall security is very tight,there are cops and army assigned to the entrances aswell.No chance of just walking out like in Dublin.

Not sure about downloading illegal streams etc having tried.My guess is it would be fine.

If we had to evacuate I reckon we'd be told to stay in our rooms ( like the Titanic!) Army and cops would come up and escort us out.The fire alarm went off one morning,it was somebody burning toast apparently.If it was serious like we could see smoke or something I'd just be out the door running and deal with the consequences later.

As for you last question.....where there's a will that's a way!

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118132618#Comment_118132618

Cool well let us know when you get drunk and what story you'll come up with then.

vicwatson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118131993#Comment_118131993

Jail 🤣

haraberu

Have you anything to say to the geniuses here who proclaim "This is a dictatorship!!!! " when they're asked to wear a mask or produce their covid cert before going into a restaurant?

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118139398#Comment_118139398

That exact question phrased word for word ....

"Have you anything to say to the geniuses here who proclaim "This is a dictatorship!!!! " when they're asked to wear a mask or produce their covid cert before going into a restaurant"

Was asked by the poster Daraxtor on page one of this thread.

I'll tempted to go off on one but I'll give the same answer!.....

This experience wouldn't change my view of people like that.Ill be polite and say as a reasonable person like the majority in Ireland I don't agree with their version of reality.

I'm in Quarantine in Australia, AMA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118134614#Comment_118134614

She's been in Ireland 15 years but we've been together for 5 and a half.

I've lived on the other side of the world for a decade myself and you do get homesick.Covid has compounded and exaggerated that for sure.

She's certainly looking forward to seeing family and enjoying some sun, I think no matter where you go there's always a desire on some level to go back to where you came from at some stage.Hopefully with travel opening up we'll be able to visit more just like in normal times and her family can visit ireland again as they have a few times.

Mr Burny

How often are you having sexy time with the lass?