Over the weekend, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases increased to 47.Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive, Wayne Jones said this was an additional three cases.In Lismore, we had some good news, the number of cases remained at 5.We can assume that the majority of people in the 2480 postcode are abiding by the Federal and State Government self isolation rules. If everyone does the right thing now, we will benefit quicker than some other areas.The most confirmed cases is in the Tweed (13), Byron (13) and Clarence Valley (8) with Ballina also stagnant on 1-4 along with Richmond Valley. Of the NNSWLHD cases, there is currently 1 patient with COVID-19 being cared for in our hospitals. The Public Health Unit is following up close contacts of cases who are located within NNSWLHD, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the confirmed case. They will be contacted daily to check that they are well and anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the virus. If you are considered a close contact of a confirmed case, a Health officer will contact you directly. For advice and information about COVID-19 visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx Residents of NSW can also call new the 24-hour COVID-19 hotline on 13 77 88 for advice and support on non-health related enquiries. For health related advice, please continue to liaise with your GP, or phone HealthDirect on 1800 022 222. NEW STORY - Facemasks - health necessity or functional fashion? Facemasks: health necessity or functional fashion?

To wear a facemask, or not? It’s a simple decision – or is it? The Lismore App was wondering what people are doing locally when it comes to personal protection against Covid-19.With a shortage of available face masks to buy in the local area, some people are wearing their own home made face masks when they go shopping.So, are face masks as effective at stopping the spread of coronavirus as we all think, and should we all be running out to buy one, or make one?The Australian Department of Health is telling us that there is no need for the general population to be wearing masks to protect themselves from coronavirus, but that frontline medical workers should be wearing them, as they could be more exposed to people who may have the virus.The UK Government has said Britons do not need to wear face masks in public, while in America, President Donald Trump is now recommending Americans wear ‘non-medical cloth’ face coverings, after previously suggesting that masks were unnecessary for people who weren't sick.Types of masks and effectivenessShould we make our own gear?Recently, there was a call to action from the NSW Government for Northern Rivers businesses to help out and start making high demand products such as face masks, hand sanitiser, hand wash soap, gloves, cleaning products, protective clothing and paper products. The call comes after supermarkets shelves were quickly emptied of these products and they became hard for many concerned locals to get, and Service NSW were reported as being unable to get supplies from its traditional sources.The call has been hailed by Lismore MP Janelle Saffin as an opportunity for businesses in a downturn due to COVID-19, to adapt to making new things, and thrive. Local businesses can register their interest here.Lismore runs dry (almost)Firstly, The Lismore App checked in with local pharmacies to see how available face masks were and discovered many of them hadn’t been able to get face masks delivered for weeks or months.Lismore’s Southside Pharmacy are out of stock and haven’t been able to get any masks since January. The same goes for Blooms the Chemist on Keen Street and the Chemist Warehouse on Ballina Road. Goonellabah Pharmacy are out of stock, but have them on order.Chempro on Woodlark Street currently has little blue masks for $2 each, with no limits on the number of masks purchased. Priceline Pharmacy has some at a cost of $5.99 each and a limit of one mask per person.Local seamstress Jeht Burgoyne wearing one of her masks.Local masks under constructionLocal seamstress Jeht Burgoyne is making masks in her workshop at home and said she did her research on what was needed to make them, and then experimented with different materials “I knew the linings needed to be from a non-woven fabric,” Jeht said. “You can’t use two woven fabrics. So, the inner lining is different to the cotton outside layer and I put in triple pleats so it fits around head and chin properly. “I’ve also put aluminium strips in so it fits around the bridge of the nose - and they are reusable and hand wash-able in warm water with disinfectant. “A friend of mine who is a surgeon said the nose piece was important, and I’ve been supplying them to medical staff on the Gold coast too.”As a creative person, Jeht has made masks with colourful designs and said she’s also sold some to people in Sydney and Victoria who are buying them for their loved ones with compromised immune systems or in nursing homes. Her masks cost $22 each and you can find them here.Edda Lampis wearing her bandana mask.Bandana mask fashionEdda Lampis wears a home made mask when she leaves the house and washes it when she gets home. It’s made from a bandana, folded and held on with elastic bands.“I have them in lots of different colours, so I’m still fashionable and I can colour coordinate with my clothes,” she said.“It’s good to think about fashion at a time like this. It makes me feel good and I look great - no shame."World Health Organisation guidelinesUntil now, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that if you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection, or if you are coughing or sneezing. However, WHO advisers are considering whether to suggest new guidance for the public on wearing face masks as a way to limit the spread of coronavirus.This comes after new research suggests that coughs and sneezes may project particles further into the air than previously thought — six metres for a cough and up to eight metres for a sneeze.The WHO website states “masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water” and if you wear a mask, you need to cover your mouth and nose and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask.“Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water,” the website states.“Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks.“To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of mask); discard immediately in a closed bin; clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.”Matt Farragher wears a home made mask.AustraliaAustralia’s Commonwealth Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said face masks were crucial protective equipment for health workers, but "not recommended for the Australian public".He has also stated that limited supply and the potential for misuse was what informed the Government's advice, and he wouldn’t rule out a move to masks in the future.There are some concerns that if everyone is wearing masks (which are in short supply in places) then it will be taking away precious resources from medical staff who really need to wear them. So, should everyone wear a mask?The question about whether we should all be wearing masks or not is still being debated around the world.The debate depends on understanding how coronavirus spreads and how closely people follow hygiene guidelines when using any protective gear.Some research has shown that people can often shed the virus two days before they begin to show any symptoms – and some people with the virus don’t show any symptoms at all.  Some people believe if everyone wears a mask when they leave their house, then people who have the virus, but who don’t have symptoms will be wearing a physical barrier that can catch infected droplets that escape their mouth or nose. That helps protect everyone.Some believe that the available scientific evidence does not show that masks are effective enough in public settings to warrant a mass recommendation. Wearing a mask could also give people a false sense of protection, where they ignore recommended advice about staying away from other people, or not going out in public if they have a fever, cough or other virus symptoms.Some people believe it causes the wearer to touch their face more often, but for others, it is a deterrent - a reminder to not touch your mouth and nose while wearing it.Government hygiene adviceThe Australian Government’s recommendations for good hygiene practice are as follows:• cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue• put used tissues straight into the bin• wash your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet• use alcohol-based hand sanitisers• avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth• clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces such as benchtops, desks and doorknobs• clean and disinfect frequently used objects such as mobile phones, keys, wallets and work passes• increase the amount of fresh air available by opening windows or adjusting air conditioningAlcohol-free hand rubs have not been shown to be effective against viruses like COVID-19, and experts recommend against using them.Everyone must also stay 1.5 metres away from other people whenever possible.You must self-isolate if you are sick, have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or have recently returned from overseas. For more coronavirus information, click Coronavirus

Free short courses are now available online from TAFE NSW. If you want to upskill during the Covid-19 pandemic, you can choose out of 21 fee-free courses on the TAFE study menu.The short courses include: eMarketing for Small Business; Engaging Customers Using Social Media; Writing and Presentation Skills; Computing Skills; Team Leader Skill Set; and Administration Skills for Team Leaders.State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the pandemic response has had a dramatic effect on communities and working life, but these select courses will assist job seekers and workers looking to diversify their skills during these times. “TAFE NSW has been a reliable educational institution for more than 130 years supporting communities all across NSW. These fee-free courses will be put to good use on the Northern Rivers during this challenging time,” Ms Saffin said. NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Dr Geoff Lee said TAFE is committed to ensuring people have access to the highest quality education. “The NSW Government understands that circumstances have changed for a lot of people and business owners, which means the way they work and how they conduct their business has also changed,” Dr Lee said. “The TAFE NSW fee-free accredited courses will contribute to helping businesses stay in business and people stay in jobs. “It’s vital we keep people employed and ensure we have the ability to rebound when things do improve. “We also understand that many industries are in hibernation, so using this period to upskill for the future is time well spent.” More information, including a full list of courses, is available here or by calling 131 601.

The stage lights are dimmed, but the spirit of Rochdale Theatre is still alive.Despite the “hibernation” of the Lismore Theatre Company’s (LTC) next production, Educating Rita, the cast are still running their lines with each other –online.LTC president Sharon Brodie said the show was due to open at the Goonellabah theatre two weeks ago until the LTC committee, cast and crew made the decision to postpone the show and the children’s pantomime Puss in Thongs due to be staged on April 22.‘We were so disappointed,” Sharon said. “But the concern for our community, plus the thought of putting all that effort into playing to a handful of people, made the decision the right one.“Educating Rita would have had to close mid-run anyway due to the increased Covid-19 restrictions.”“Education Rita has gone into hibernation - the set is ready and the people who loaned us pieces for the show are allowing us to retain them.Despite being offered ticket refunds, Sharon said many people who had already booked tickets to both shows had decided to keep their bookings for when they are rescheduled. “The actors, Elyse Knowles and Gray Wilson are now meeting weekly on-line to run lines and LTC’s technician Luke Kane is using this down time to test and tag all the electrical equipment in the theatre,” Sharon said.“We are also considering doing online play readings for interested members and the committee is meeting via Zoom.“While the theatre lights are dimmed, the company is also taking the opportunity to revisit many of the shows staged in recent years by posting photo montages on its Facebook page.”“This year is also the 50th anniversary of LTC and although plans for some workshops may need to be amended, the company is committed to celebrating this milestone later in the year.”

As we head into the weekend, I can tell you that Lismore remains at 5 confirmed cases of coronavirus.While the world has ballooned over the 1,000,000 cases mark with over 53,000 dead, Australia sits at 5,315 cases with 26 deaths and NSW 2,389 cases and 12 deaths.As the number of confirmed cases in the North Coast Local Health District increased from 37 to 45 this week, Lismore's zero increase was welcome news.Out of those five cases the locally acquired with an unknown source of infection remains in the 1-4 range.With Easter and school holidays coming up, there was a message from the Richmond District Police's facebook page to 'Stay At Home".The message read, "Please stay home over the holidays. School holidays are nearly here, and many of you will be keen to get out of town to relax in one of our beautiful regional communities. While we understand that everyone needs a break, the current COVID -19 situation means that the best thing you can do for our regions, and for yourselves, is to stay at home. We all need to work together to stop the spread".A reminder that Daylight Savings finishes this weekend so don't forget to turn your clocks back an hour before you go to bed or when you wake up on Sunday morning.

The Weekend Wrap will be pretty short, as you can understand, although we can recommend some family board games as you spend most of your time at home.I do notice that people's lawns, hedges and general gardens are looking very nice now!Before I go on, Daylight Savings finishes this weekend so before you go to bed on Saturday night or when you get up Sunday morning, set your watches and clocks back an hour.The BOM forecast is for some rain tomorrow afternoon (1-4mm) and the slight chance of a shower on Sunday so it will be mostly a fine two days with tops of 27 or 28 degrees.The Lismore Farmers Markets are on from 8am to 11:30am and Blue Knob Community Markets from 8:30am to 11:30am.Golf is also on but there are restrictions in place like playing in groups of two.As we head into the weekend, I thought we needed a laugh to lighten our lives for a few minutes. Sometimes you just need to relax and smile.I don't know about you but I feel lighter now.That is the Weekend Wrap.Don't forget to buy local over the weekend. If you're getting takeaway or want home delivery, this is the button to press Takeaway/Home Delivery.The Lismore App wants to remind you to support local businesses at this time. Your patronage keeps the doors open and protects the livelihoods of people in our community.

While dentist services are currently limited, there’s nothing stopping podiatrists from looking at your feet. The Covid19 health and hygiene restrictions our health system is working under has been causing some confusing messages for people needing teeth or feet care.Dentists are operating under level 3 restrictions, meaning only emergency cases can be looked at and no aerosols can be used. This has resulted in some Lismore dentist surgeries closing or reducing operating hours. PodiatryFor husband and wife team Lara Ivanchenko and Tom Murray Prior, their Lismore podiatry practice, A-Foot In Front Podiatry, has been hit hard, with many customers cancelling appointments, and some ringing up to see if the practice is still allowed to remain open.“We are open and we are considered an essential service,” Lara said. “We are getting a lot of cancellations because many of our clients are elderly and are isolating because of Covid, but some people thought we were not allowed to be open too.”Tom said many of their clients are “high risk” and are in need of regular treatments to avoid infections and ongoing health issues and hospitalisation.“80% of people over 65 see a podiatrist,” Tom said. “Health condition like diabetes, arthritis and vascular problems increase with age and put different pressures on feet and the way you walk and can cause things like ingrown toenails, corns and calluses.“As health professionals, we always follow stringent infection control procedures and our instruments are sterilised and we are always wiping down, cleaning and following the new rules to stop the spread of the virus.”The couple said they have been practicing in Lismore for 25 years and after the 2017 flood moved to their current location at 6 Diadem Street, opposite the Kmart loading dock.“Any elderly people coming here can park right in front of the door and we are following social distancing measures,” Lara said.If you want to contact them, phone 66214200.DentistryGoonellabah’s Sapphire Smiles Dental Care practice manager Amit Thaker said a lot of planned treatments were cancelled when the Government announced level three restrictions for dentists.“We can’t perform procedures that generate aerosols, but we can help people and look at them if there’s an emergency,” Amit said. “We can check if you have an infection and address it and make sure it doesn’t flare up - and we can write medication scripts.“We do need to use personal protective equipment and have limited supplies, so if we need to, we might need to send clients to the hospital, or to a specialist if it’s something we can’t deal with.“We are discouraging walk-ins to the clinic and have been receiving phone messages, where we go through a Covid-19 questionnaire to make sure the client is clinically safe.“Things are changing rapidly and every day it seems new restrictions are in place, but we are following the advice of the Dental Association, which is working with the health authorities.”Amit said the practice would be open next Monday, but intended to close Tuesday until after Easter because it was difficult to keep operating when there were few patients they can help at the moment.

The North Coast Outdoor Leisure Show has been cancelled for 2020.The news was delivered in a social media post from organisers today, as the major fundraising event joins the myriad of others cancelled as the pandemic isolations and lockdowns continue. The annual event, organised by the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, has been held in Lismore for many years, and was due to move to Bangalow this year.“As we are seeing across Australia, the COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact on many large scale events,” organisers posted. “To ensure public safety the organisers of the Outdoor Leisure Show, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, has taken steps this week to cancel the event for 2020.“At this stage it is too early to provide further information with regards to the planning or availability of dates for 2021.”Other cancellationsThe event joins other events in the area to have been cancelled, including Lismore Youth Festival, which was due to be held on April 15, and Thai New Year Songkran celebrations, which were to be held on April 5 at Lismore Showgrounds.Anzac DayAnzac Day, on April 25 will see some changes locally this year, after the Federal Government announced that all Australian-led international Anzac Day events, including the Dawn Service at Gallipoli, will be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.Discussions are currently underway within the Lismore Returned Servicemen’s League (RSL) about how the people of Lismore can participate without gathering together, to commemorate fallen soldiers.Watch this space for more information on Anzac Day in Lismore.The Lismore App wants to remind you to support local businesses at this time. Your patronage keeps the doors open and protects the livelihoods of people in our community.

Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions on the Colemans and Fawcett bridges in Lismore this weekend for essential maintenance work to be carried out. Colemans Bridge will be closed to all traffic from 6am on Saturday 4 to 5pm on Sunday 5 April, weather permitting, as part of ongoing strengthening and maintenance work. One of the bridge’s two pedestrian walkways will remain open at all times. Work will be carried out between 6am and 5pm each day, but the bridge will remain closed overnight on Saturday. Motorists are advised there will be regular weekend closures until the end of June 2020. An alternative route from South Lismore to the Lismore CBD is available via Union Street, and the Bruxner Highway (Elliott Road). From the Lismore CBD to South Lismore, use the Bruxner Highway and Union Street. Motorists are also advised of changed traffic conditions on Fawcett Bridge on Sunday 5 April to carry out painting and repairs to steel work. This is part of work involving repairs to corroded steel elements and damaged guardrail. All steel elements on the bridge are being sandblasted and painted to reduce maintenance costs in the future. The bridge will be closed for up to 10 minutes at a time between 8am and 4pm, weather permitting. Traffic control and a reduced speed limit will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists, with provision to allow emergency vehicles to pass. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control. Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time. For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.Map showing alternative routes.

Wildlife researchers are embarking on a study to find if koalas are threatened by livestock - and they need you to fill in a short survey to help them out.The survey aims to better understand how often livestock-inflicted injuries and mortalities to koalas occur. It’s not just cattle, but all livestock under investigation, as a potential threat to koalas in areas where koala habitat overlaps with grazing.Koala-livestock conflicts have been anecdotally reported and koalas with injuries from livestock are admitted to wildlife hospitals throughout the year.  The survey, run through the University of Queensland, aims to investigate the extent and frequency of koalas suffering from livestock-inflicted injuries/deaths in Northern NSW, Southeast Queensland and other locations in Australia.The survey takes only two to 10 minutes and will provide valuable information that can be used to develop management strategies to help reduce koala mortalities caused by livestock. All responses are treated as anonymous and confidential. A participant information sheet is also provided for more details once you open the link to the survey here.

Along with two new reported cases of Covid-19 in the Northern NSW Local Health District, new visitor restrictions have been implemented in all hospitals from tomorrow.The total number of infections in our district is now 44, with 5 reported in the Lismore Local Government Area.NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones said from Friday, April 3, there will be a limit of one visitor per patient in all hospitals, and visiting hours have been restricted to 1- 6pm daily.“The visitor is to be identified by the patient in consultation with their family or carer,” Mr Jones said. “Visits will occur in the patient’s room, and will be limited to one hour only, once per day.”Mr Jones said visitors entering a hospital will be asked the following questions:Have you returned from overseas in the past 14 days? Have you had close contact with a person confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19?Are you feeling unwell with any flu-like symptoms?“Anyone answering yes to any of these questions will not be permitted to enter,” he said.“A patient’s designated visitor will be provided with detailed information regarding social distancing and must adhere to all personal protective and hand hygiene requirements already in place when on site.” The current restrictions in Maternity/Women’s Care Units and Birthing Suites remain at one support person per birth, with no other visitors while in hospital.“NSW Health supports the World Health Organisation and Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) recommendations that one chosen support person should accompany a woman giving birth,” Mr Jones said.“Multi-Purpose Services have their own restrictions which are one designated visitor once per day for 15 minutes.“We accept that these measures may cause concern for some patients and community members, but the restrictions are in place to protect our hospital system, our patients, our staff and the wider community, especially those in vulnerable age groups.“Visitors, carers and family members should speak with the nurse in charge about any extenuating circumstances.”Mr Jones also said regarding the confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the local district that two patients being cared for in our hospitals. “The Public Health Unit is following up close contacts of cases who are located within NNSWLHD, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the confirmed case,” he said.For advice and information about COVID-19 visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx Residents of NSW can also call new the 24-hour COVID-19 hotline on 13 77 88 for advice and support on non-health related enquiries. For health related advice, please continue to liaise with your GP, or phone HealthDirect on 1800 022 222. Pharmacist fills scripts and calls for 'no bullying'Jobs, roads, services: Lismore Councillors call for Government assistanceLiving School balances screen time with life

In an attempt to keep some of the 73 jobs cut recently from Lismore City Council, Lismore City Councillors are calling on the Government to ensure all councils are fast tracked on the Job Keeper wage subsidy program, so that Council “can commit to retaining essential services”.The Councillors have called on both the Federal and NSW Governments to provide a range of urgent assistance measures “so that council can continue to serve the community during this critical time”. These include asking the NSW Government to cease the waste levy charges to Lismore City Council from April 1 to July 2021; and to release all road funding for grant-funded projects at the time of execution of the Deed of Agreement.“Our community is still recovering from the devastating 2017 one-in-a-hundred-year flood that had a $7.5 billion economic impact on our region,” the councillors said in a joint statement.“And in the last six months, we have been hit by the drought which almost decimated our agricultural sector, sustained major damage across our Local Government Area as a result of the devastating bushfires and bore a significant burden operating a number of Evacuation Centres, and endured another flooding of our CBD in February that hurt local businesses.“The community and Council’s workforce are disaster fatigued. “While Council is committed to providing support and maintaining essential services for our community, we urgently need financial assistance from both the Federal and State Governments as we deal with the Covid-19 virus.“We request that the Federal Government urgently creates a process for approval and fast tracking of projects that Lismore has submitted to the Department of Infrastructure.“That the Federal Government commits to funding job-creation projects immediately.“That the Federal Government ensures all councils are fast tracked on the Job Keeper program and that this is announced immediately so that we can commit to retaining essential services.“We also request that the State Government urgently approves the Growing Local Economies, Employment Lands proposal that has been with the NSW Government since July 2019 and forward the agreement for immediate execution so that Lismore City Council can retain employees and stimulate local businesses as they struggle with Covid-19.“To instruct Treasury Corporation (TCorp) to implement a loan hibernation period on all loan repayments effective from April 1 through to July 2021. “And to instruct TCorp to reduce their loan restriction ratios immediately.”

It’s been busy in local pharmacies recently, according to local pharmacist Jaga Maitland-Smith, from ChemPro at Lismore Centro. He wants to make sure he can continue to supply essential medicines to people who need them, and wants people to stop panicking and stockpiling medicines.He also told The Lismore App that new prescription dispensing arrangements made by the Federal Government do not mean that people can “bully” pharmacists into handing out medications. The recent announcement by the Government will allow Australians access to essential medicines at PBS prices, without a prescription, in a “one off” emergency during the Covid-19 pandemic. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia national president Associate Professor Chris Freeman said the dispensing arrangements will continue until at least the end of June, along with the implementation of medicine substitution when medicines are out of stock.However, pharmacist Mr Maitland-Smith said it wasn’t as easy as just coming into the chemist if you had a prescription that ran out a week ago.“If you are having a hard time getting in to see your doctor to get a prescription renewed, the doctor can send a fax to us and we can get the hard copy of the prescription later,” he said.“If your prescription ran out a week age and you still have 20 day supply, we don’t want to be bullied into giving scripts. If you are about to run out in a day or two, or have just run out and have been getting it from that pharmacy, that’s an ok situation.”Mr Maitland-Smith said that some aspects of the health care system are actually better now than before Covid-19, with the Medicare subsidised telehealth service now available to all Australians who can’t get in to see a doctor in person.“Lots of doctors are doing appointments online now by phone or video, and can fax scripts to pharmacies,” he said. “Lismore was a surge area before Covd-19, with people often waiting weeks to get in to see a doctor, but now, some surgeries in town are more timely and efficient than normal.”FranticMr Maitland-Smith said the last fortnight in his pharmacy has been “frantic”, but things are finally quietening down.“We’ve started doing home deliveries for all customers with scripts on file on Mondays and Thursdays – or posting scripts to them,” he said.“There are still people walking in through the doors to get scripts filled because they are shopping for groceries at Woolies next door – but there’s less people, and they are spaced out, so the overall risk has dropped significantly.”StockpilesMr Maitland-Smith said he was upset recently when he saw an ABC news program which had interviewed a Lismore woman who complained that there were no asthma puffers available in the whole of Lismore because people had been panic buying and stocking up the medicines.“At the time, I had 1500 asthma puffers in stock and nobody called me to ask if any puffers were there,” he said.“There were gaps in some stocks of things like face masks for a while, but we are limiting the number people can buy now, as are all pharmacies. “We need to make sure we maintain continuity of supply and limit amounts people can buy so everybody’s needs are met.“Pharmacies actually have greater holdings than they normally would right now – it’s just taking time for stock to get to shops – just like there’s enough food, but it takes time for it to get from the warehouses, them onto the shelves.“In the past, we’ve never run out of medicines because people are cautious and alert and don’t stockpile.“Even if we go into full lockdown, pharmacies and grocery stores will not close and you will always be able to access food and medicines – so don’t panic and don’t over-buy.”

A barrel of crude oil has dropped to $20 which is the lowest level since February 1999. This is partly due to the coronavirus outbreak since December but partly due to a price war between large oil producers in Saudia Arabia and Russia.A look around NSW gives you range differentiation not often seen. In Evans Head the price for regular unleaded is 114.9 cents per litre while in Lismore the average price is 135.9. As you look around the state you see some prices as low as 88 cents per litre.The difference is as much as 60 cents a litre. On a small 50 litre tank that is $30 a tank, step up to a 65 litre SUV tank and your spending $39 more.Why is there a 60 cents a litre difference in the same state?Trying to investigate this question is difficult as no one wants to talk to you about petrol prices. However, one theory is that some petrol stations will lower their prices in order to get people in their store to buy other items that are more expensive. Hence the cheap prices.Another reason is that the actual volume of petrol sales is lower now due to the coronavirus. With operating costs remaining the same, like wages and electricity, the higher prices are needed to keep the businesses afloat. This would apply more so to locally owned petrol stations.The third reason is that cheaper prices are simply not being passed on to motorists.In Sydney, the variation is more extreme with prices ranging from 88 cents to 158 cents. The only difference between Sydney and Lismore is that you can shop around and find a cheap deal. In Lismore the pricing is virtually the same, our range is 135.9 to 143.9.The indication is that prices will start to come down but how much and when?We will have to wait and see.

Lismore Shoes has opened its doors in The Village, Goonellabah.New shop but a familiar face in very unusual times.Kevin Cox used to own Lismore Shoes in Keen Street until earlier this year when he decided that the CBD was not the best location for a shoe store."In my opinion the CBD is dying", Kevin said, "I don't think the council is doing enough to reinvigorate the it""The bulk of our clientele lived in Goonellabah anyway", Kevin said, "they used to drive down into town to see us, now they don't have to drive as far".The store, which opened last Monday, was supposed to open two months ago but a car decided to park itself into his vacant store delaying the fit-out.As if that wasn't enough, Kevin now has a pandemic to deal with, so it has been an understandably quiet start to his new business."We lost everything in the flood of 2017 but managed to re-open downtown", Kevin said, "the next three years just got worse"."We started out ok in the first year after the flood, then the second year got a little better then, boom, it fell off a cliff"."I believe we have a good location, it is just bad timing for our opening".So, what does Lismore Shoes stock?"Birkenstock is our main stay", Kevin says, "Planet and Earth, Alegria for ladies work shoes as well as European leather shoes and boots"."I want to bring in Keen in the future and Naot. We also stock Revere, which is an orthotic friendly footwear that is both fashionable and functional".Kevin is a man of many talents. He is also a qualified pedorthist as well, a medical shoe expert. "I fit problem feet, a lot of my clients are elderly people" he mentioned."We can do shoe repairs , mainly on Birkenstocks as well as key cutting", Kevin added.If you are looking for a sale then check out these sandals on sale now for $30 normally $70 and are 100% recyclable. Their main ingredient is soy bean oil made in the USA. You can send them back to the States where they can grind them up to make new ones. They are sterilisable and smell like vanilla, even after you wear them.Lismore Shoes is now open in The Village, Goonellabah and is next to Affordable Beauty and Phil's Barber just down from the chemist.Pop in, say hi to Kevin and Oscar (the dog).The Lismore App wants to remind you to support local businesses at this time. Your patronage keeps the doors open and protects the livelihoods of people in our community.

Another 4 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in residents of the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) have been reported since yesterday, bringing the district’s total to 42.Lismore’s total still stands at 5, Byron Bay at 8, Tweed at 11, Ballina at 1-4.These numbers are sourced from the NSW Health website, where reported cases are broken down into Local Government AreasFrom tomorrow, a new Covid-19 clinic will be set up at Byron Central Hospital by NNSWLHD to deal with the increasing numbers. The clinic will be open 10am-4pm, seven days a week. NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones said the new free clinic will welcome backpackers in the Byron Shire who have any Covid-19 - like symptoms, even if those symptoms are mild. It joins the three other Covid-19 clinics at Lismore, Tweed and Grafton hospitals, which are open from 10am-6pm. Mr Jones said NNSWLHD will be working with agencies including Byron Shire Council to advertise the Byron clinic and the expanded target group eligible for testing in order to connect with the backpacking community.“This is in addition to the current testing criteria for people presenting to COVID-19 clinics,” he said.Testing will be for people with respiratory symptoms or fever who meet one or more of the following criteria: • a close contact of a confirmed case • international travel in the 14 days prior to illness onset • a cruise ship passenger or crew member who has travelled in the 14 days prior to illness onset • a healthcare worker, aged care or other residential care worker • in a geographically localised area with elevated risk of community transmission. “It is vital that these respiratory clinics are not overwhelmed with people who are not in the high risk groups, which could result in delays identifying those most vulnerable,” Mr Jones said.“People do not need to phone ahead to attend the clinic. “People without symptoms do not need to be tested.”The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, headache, runny nose, or shortness of breath. Anyone with symptoms should isolate themselves from others. Mr Jones also reported that 36 of the district’s cases have a likely source of infection coming from having been overseas; 2 from having been in contact with a confirmed case or in a known cluster; 2 are not sure where it came from; and 2 are under investigation.Of the NNSWLHD cases, currently 4 Covid-19 patients are being cared for in hospitals, and 1 of these is in ICU elsewhere in NSW. The Public Health Unit is following up close contacts of cases who are located within NNSWLHD, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the confirmed case. They will be contacted daily to check that they are well and anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the virus. If you are considered a close contact of a confirmed case, a Health officer will contact you directly. For advice and information about COVID-19 visit CoronavirusLismore's golf course re-opens for playPowermax Computers closes its doors

Lismore City Council is taking advantage of the shutdown of its playgrounds due to COVID-19 to undertake an upgrade of Heritage Park.All Council playgrounds, skateparks and park equipment are closed due to encourage social distancing and limit the potential for coronavirus to spread.Heritage Park will undergo a $500,000 upgrade which includes a new water play area, with a range of squirters, misters and water cannons to keep kids cool in the warmer months.There will also be a new nature play area with boulders and timber features for children to climb on and new equipment in the tiny tots playground including a carousel, tree-tops tower, whirly dizzy, relocated tortoise seesaw and inground trampolines.“Given the park is currently closed until we overcome the COVID-19 crisis, this is the perfect time to get in and start the demolition process,” Council’s Open Spaces Assets Coordinator Martin Soutar said.“Construction work on the new playground is expected to begin in June, following removal of some of the older equipment.”The Heritage Park upgrade has been funded through a $250,000 grant from the NSW Stronger Country Communities Fund and $250,000 from Council raised via pocket park sales and flood insurance money.Lismore's golf course re-opens for play

Powermax Computers celebrated its 13th anniversary of opening the store today, but ironically, its doors are closed this morning.Powermax owner Alex Clarke said they made the decision to close the shop at 5.30pm yesterday due to concerns for shop staff and customers because of the potential spread of Covid-19.“Devices like phones and computers are vectors for the viruses and put our staff at risk every day,” he said. “We also have customers continuing to walk in and out of the store.”Alex said staff would finish working on any devices already submitted to the shop and when the jobs were complete, staff would arrange to with have the device couriered back to customers, or arrange to have customers pick them up.“We’ve been taking precautions, wearing gloves, while we handle devices and disinfecting them with isopropyl alcohol before, during and after service, but there’s no guarantee we can clean them completely and it puts our staff at risk,” he said.“One of the of dangers is that we accidentally pass a viral infection from one device to another, potentially sending it out to the world and infecting the public.”Alex said that all of the shop’s nine staff were healthy at the moment, but there was no guarantee that no one had the virus and was shedding viral particles onto a device in the up-to-14-day period before any symptoms might show.“We are in the early stages of the outbreak, but with community infection now happening, we can’t take the risk,” he said.Alex said the Federal Government’s newly announced jobkeeper package will keep the staff paid for the next six months.“Our business advisors have said we will be eligible for the wage subsidies and we will be spending out of our savings to keep everybody afloat until May, when the payments are supposed to come through,” he said.“It’s a risk we take, if we are deemed ineligible later.”The decision to close the shop was not made lightly and Alex said he and Powermax co-owner Amelia O’Hearn has done talked about it extensively before deciding to draw a line and close the shop.“The elephant in the room is that we are an essential service,” Alex said.“Apple closed all its stores three weeks ago across the world and people now have few options to get their Apple devices repaired.“People will need to mail them to Apple directly and there will be a much longer turnaround for jobs.“People can call the Apple support number on 1300 321 456. They have repair centres in Australia and have infinite resources, unlike us, to keep things safe and sterile at their centres.” 

Scholarships are available for a webinar series for graziers and young farmers regenerating land in the Northern Rivers. The online workshops begin on April 3 and are offered as three webinars over six weeks with online community learning and a rescheduled paddock field day. The workshops on regenerating soils and farms with grazing explores what can be done to regenerate land, produce great livestock and improve farm profit.The key to resilient farm businesses is based on our soils. Using regenerative grazing and other techniques, we can make immediate and lasting changes to improve our land and business. The series is hosted by @southernblueregenerative and the Regenerative Ag Alliance at Southern Cross University, with scholarships supported by Lismore City Council Rural Landholder Initiative and North Coast Local Land Service.Head here to get your discount code and receive $100 off.Sign up for the webinar series here.Survey calls businesses to talk Covid-19 impacts