Dear Friends and Colleagues,
After an autumn and winter of Covid I finally put pen to
paper (or the digital equivalent) to contact my oldest, nearest and dearest who
just might be in need. As we launch into spring many are suffering
lockdowns, illness, financial stress and other negative sentiments. Some still
working, others retired, yet we all have needs and might depend on old friends
in such times. Covid matters are looking positive in Australia yet the
opposite in America and Europe. Please
send your own news and photos … here are some snippets.
We were pleased to have Miriam
and Arnold van Rooijen visit us in Bowral a few weeks ago. We had the
company of Annabelle Farnsworth and Robert in Potts Point recently too
(“Lotus 2.0” restaurant in Potts Point).
Their two sons are in London and New York. Every family has a
Covid story – some VERY stressful. I ate Thai with Bill Brooks last Friday near both the Wayside Chapel and “The
Apollo” which has reopened: they now finally take bookings, so no need to queue
up for great Greek food - and eliminating one rather obvious Covid risk.
I get occasional round-robin emails from Judy Stokes (and Ian), Steve Jurd (and Libby), Jim Markos in Tassie. Each with stories but all seem to be
coping in the face of the difficulties.
I hear on the grape vine about Anne
Pike, Di Philpot, Romany & Russell and the Glanvilles. Jal (Bin Jalaludin) has been in touch
after writing some insightful pieces about air pollution from the terrible
fires last summer (see August MJA). Lynda and Greg Marks have also been in
touch, living between Sydney and Bowral.
Lynda has retired and we have had coffee here in Bowral. Minas
Coroneo wrote a paper about ophthalmic consequences of Covid virus
including possible protections from an unexpected medication
(hydroxychloroquine!). Furthermore, it
appears from surveys in Wuhan, China, that simply wearing glasses may be a
significant protection against contracting the virus. Eddie
Howe continues his general practice and is a closet opera fan. Tim
Ingall has been doing some important work on stroke rehab and prevention,
doing largely Telehealth consultations as the Mayo Clinic has closed off most
face-to-face physician consultations. I
gather that Clive Lovell’s Macquarie
Street general and aviation practice has slowed somewhat as there are fewer workers
in the CBD and fewer planes in the air. Peter Collignon continues to contribute
to major health decisions in Canberra. I
received messages from Bernie Haylen,
Mary Kathryn Dwyer, Julia Arnold, Peter Bennett, Mark Henschke, Helen Hopkins,
Agnes Kainer Geyer and Katherine Brown in May of this year after my last
missive. Apologies if I have left anyone
out.
For myself I continue to run the Redfern surgery four days
per week and have been trying to patronise local businesses and carry on mostly
as before. Restaurants, specialty stores, hardware, nurseries, etc. Coles and Woollies provide some of the
essentials but Aldi is much cheaper for both the staples and some exotica (they
have their own Champagne label!). Harris Farm is expensive but reliable
for special supplies. Despite
mostly being on social services, my own patients steadfastly refuse to walk the
extra three blocks to Aldi but use the Coles and Woollies nearby in Redfern. [end of commercial]
Please send any of your news/pix so I can put them onto the
web blog. http://1971syduni.blogspot.com/
Also, let me know if there are any needs out there … at
least take this as a genuine attempt to commune and reconnect, if somewhat late
in the piece. Happy to provide contacts on request. Your old mates and colleagues may be closer
than you think.
Best regards,
Andrew Byrne .. (year trouble-maker).
