Nimbin resident Helen Badger is 70 years old and goes to extraordinary lengths to clean her groceries after they arrive at home from the supermarket. Helen is one of the immune compromised people in our community and she worries about the risk of becoming infected from touching surfaces which may have been in contact with Covid-19.So, how far should we go when it comes to cleaning items we buy from shops in this age of coronavirus? Social media pages are full of stories of people wondering how safe things are to touch after seeing others coughing onto products in the supermarket isles and touching surfaces with their hands.A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, showed that the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was detectable in aerosols for up to three hours, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel.The results suggest that people may acquire the virus through the air and after touching contaminated objects. It was after hearing about this that Helen and her husband started their shopping cleaning regime.“I’ve only been shopping once in the last month – my husband does the shopping now, because I have lung problems,” Helen said.“When he goes to the supermarket, he leaves home at 6.30am and does the pensioner supermarket shopping hour at 7am as quickly as possible - and then he comes home for the decontamination process.“He disinfects his hands, then takes off his shoes and washes his clothes.“We spray the reusable shopping bags made of material with disinfectant and leave them in the sun.“We have different disinfectants we use - I have pure metho in a spray bottle and a disinfectant spray of eucalyptus and I have wipes. “We wash the fruit and vegetables in the sink – they have been handled by many people before it gets to us – it’s the most dangerous thing there is. The hardest to clean is onions and garlic – many things I leave on the veranda in the sun as long as possible.“We wipe down the plastic on the products and remove the cardboard packaging on products and get rid of it.“Some people think it’s too hard to do all that. It depends if your life depends on it. “We had wood delivered yesterday and I didn’t want the deliverer to stand too close to my husband. Some people don’t get it and sometimes I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle. “Maybe I’m over cautious, but it depends how vulnerable you feel - I have lots of health problems.  “I’m even reluctant to go to the doctor and expose myself to other people. “How long until this is all going to disappear? It’s a different world now.“We are the lucky ones, we might be old, but we are mobile and live on two acres and are making vegetable gardens, growing pumpkins and watermelons.“People who live alone are more lonely and will miss going out more. I feel sorry for my young ones.”Shopping tips There are various information sources available on the internet with tips on how to keep yourself safe from infection from coronavirus. There are different opinions of whether masks are useful or not - some say it depends on the type of masks you use. But, sometimes wearing a mask can help to keep other people away from you, and remind you to not touch your mouth, nose or eyes while you are wearing it.Apart from the standard social distancing regulations of keeping 1.5 metres away from other people, other shopping tips for when at the supermarket include:Wipe your hands and shopping cart, commit to what you are buying – don’t touch it otherwise - and plan what you will buy for two weeks.Coronavirus

The Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre and the Nimbin Transfer Station have reopened today as essential services only.Lismore City Council has said the facilities are now only open for residents who do not have a kerbside waste collection service and business operators in the Lismore Local Government Area.All visitors are now required to book before arriving. Anyone without an approved booking will not be permitted entry.Council’s Infrastructure Services Director Peter Jeuken said the changes are vital to safeguard the community and staff from COVID-19.“The World Health Organisation has confirmed studies that the COVID-19 virus can exist on surfaces for several days in favourable environments where it is undisturbed – this would potentially include metal, plastic and timber surfaces, and things like food waste, bottles, furniture and mattresses,” Mr Jeuken said.“This represents an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of the community and our critical workers that are required to keep this service going throughout the life of the pandemic.“We have made a decision that staff will no longer handle any waste materials and we will limit contact with customers. Visitors attending the facility will be directed to a location for unloading their waste and it will then be moved by machine into skips.”Residents without a kerbside waste collection service are asked to ensure their waste is securely contained, wrapped or bagged and the contents it not able to spill once dropped off.Residents that have a kerbside waste collection service should not visit any of Council’s waste facilities until further notice.New operating hours are also now in place to allow for additional cleaning of the facilities. The Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre will be open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 3pm and the Nimbin Transfer Station will be open Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm.No hazardous wastes will be accepted until further notice at these facilities and visitors will be required to pay using electronic payment – cash will not be accepted until further notice.The Lismore Revolve Shop, the Container Deposit Scheme bulk collection centre, Brewster Street Drop-off Centre and the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens are all closed indefinitely.To make a booking, phone Council on 1300 87 83 87. Callers will need a vehicle registration number and home address they can verify with current ID.Survey calls businesses to talk Covid-19 impacts

If you leave your home without a reasonable excuse, you could be subject to an $11,000 fine, under new restrictions brought in today.The NSW Government public health order (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement Order 2020) is intended to reduce the spread of Covid-19 infection. It means that you must stay at home unless you are going to work (where you can’t work remotely), to school, shopping, to get medical care or supplies, or to exercise.You are also allowed to leave home to avoid injury or illness or escape a risk of harm;deal with emergencies or on compassionate grounds;access childcare;provide care or assistance (including personal care) to a vulnerable person or to provide emergency assistance;attend a wedding or funeral (subject to 5 and 10 person limits);move to a new place of residence, or between your different places of residence;donate blood;and undertake legal obligations.You are also allowed to access social services, employment services, services provided to victims (including as victims of crime), domestic violence services, and mental health services.Parents can also continue existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children for children who do not live in the same household as their parents or one of their parents.You may leave your house if needed in your role as a volunteer for a charity.The maximum penalty for breaching the public health order is $11,000, or imprisonment for 6 months, or both – and a further $5500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues.The NSW Police may also issue on-the-spot fines of $1000 for an offence.In the case of any corporation, the maximum penalty is $55,000 and a further $27,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues.A two person gathering rule is also in place for public spaces, except for gatherings with members of the same household.Your place of residence is not considered a public place.This public gathering rule does not apply to a gathering for work purposes;for a wedding or funeral (which are subject to 5 and 10 person limits);to facilitate a move to a new place of residence;to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person;to provide emergency assistance, or;which is an essential gathering described below.Foodbanks and homeless shelters have not been closed under the orders.Survey calls businesses to talk Covid-19 impacts

A survey to find out how the Covid-19 pandemic is impacting on local businesses in the Northern Rivers is ready for your input.Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers director Tim Williamson said the Australian Business Economic Impact Survey is looking to gather information on the current situation and its impacts at a local geographic scale.“The survey is a response to the rapid change experienced by businesses as a result of Covid-19,” Mr Williamson said. “The national economic landscape, state to state and region to region is diverse and the survey is specifically targeting insights around change in employment and economic impact at an industry scale. "Businesses might find it hard to complete a survey, but it is important that we get the best on the ground information that we can. "We are all aware of the volume of misinformation and disinformation which is currently doing the rounds, so I encourage you to distribute this survey to your local industry networks and contacts to ensure a source of integrity."Mr Williamson said insights from the survey, with analysis, will be provided to federal, state and local governments to enable a targeted response for industry and key public sector investment.The survey is being conducted by REMPLAN and can be accessed at https://www.remplan.com.au/covid-19-australian-business-economic-impact-study/

As coronavirus progressively moves through the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD), today we add another four confirmed cases of Covid-19 to the total. This means an increase of 12 cases in the last three days. Now, the total number is the local area is 37 residents. In Lismore, the number of confirmed cases has risen to 5.NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones reported that 30 cases of Covid-19 infection were acquired overseas; three from having been in contact with a confirmed case or a known cluster; two were not identified; and two are still under investigation.Of the NNSWLHD cases, four COVID-19 patients are being cared for in hospitals, and one of these is in an Intensive Care Unit elsewhere in NSW. Four people are considered to have recovered. “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,” Mr Jones said.“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. 

A new jobkeeper payment of $1500 per fortnight for people currently in jobs, has been announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison this afternoon. The news was received by Summit Fitness owner Matt George after some of his excited employees rang him.“If we’d have had that announcement a week ago, it would have changed everything,” Matt said. “I wouldn’t have had to let go my staff.“I’ll be able to put all my staff back on the books and restructure the business. Most of them have been with me ten years or more.“They are all Lismore mums and dads and so grateful to have that wage support and remain part of Summit.” Covid-19 infections on the rise locallyMatt George, owner of Summit Fitness in Goonellabah.PM Morrison announced that the jobkeeper payment means “employees won’t be going to Centrelink, they will be going directly to their employer and we will reimburse employers”.“It’s designed to not just keep them in pay, but in jobs – and will kick in when any business drops turnover by 30% or more,” Mr Morrison said.The payment is part of a new round of measures amounting to $130 billion in wage subsides, and is planned to run over the next six months to “cushion the impact from coronavirus” and “share the load with the welfare system to deliver income supports”.Calling it “uniquely Australian”, PM Morrison said the flat payment was equivalent to 70% of the median wage, and would be the same for any employee, regardless of how much money they earned up until now. The jobkeeper payments will begin in early May and will be backdated to March 1. The payment is available to full and part time workers, as well as casual workers who have been with employers 12 months or more. For employers who had already stood down employees since March 1 as a result of a business downturn, the PM said if the employees were reinstated, the jobkeeper payments would be backdated to March 1.  The new payment also applies to not for profit organisation employees, as well as New Zealanders in Australia on 444 visas.Stay at home and keep moving: Lismore fitness options go online

With only half of the taxi fleet now operating and more plans to reduce fleet numbers, Lismore Taxis’ drivers are doing it tough right now.Taxi owner Graham Casey said despite a massive downturn in customers due to coronavirus movement restrictions, the local Lismore taxi service wants to try to maintain a 24 hour service.“We get people who need a taxi to take them to hospital or to medical appointments,” Graham said.“A lot of elderly people use the service to get to the supermarkets too – often they will go out three times a week as their only outing, but now they might only go out once a week.“We also advertise on Facebook that we will do deliveries of take away food.”Graham said he’s been “in the game” for 30 years and the coronavirus is impacting on the taxi industry much more than the recession did in the early 2000s.“We took six cars off the road then, but it was nothing like this,” he said.“We’ve already halved the fleet. We had five cars out there last Thursday night that did four jobs. The drivers were working for about $2 per hour. “We also don’t have as many school runs, with most people staying home. But we want to keep vehicles on road, as long as our drivers want to take a risk.” Covid-19 infections on the rise in local health districtGraham said safety measures put in place by the taxi service include thorough car cleaning procedures while the taxis are stopped in the taxi rank, and some drivers are choosing to wear masks.“But we’ve been told masks are not such a great thing,” he said.“We also make sure the passengers sit in the back seat and we keep the window open so the air flows backwards through the car.“Lismore’s hospital is a central location, so it doesn’t take long to get there and we don’t say no to people who want to get a taxi.”While taxis are deemed an essential service, Graham said the taxi drivers will meet later this week to discuss the roster and taking more cars off the road. “It may be we just keep one quarter of the fleet on the road,” Graham said.“If we have about seven cars in service each day and night and we all take turns every two weeks, then over time we all get a chance to make some money and pay expenses.”Graham said the structure of Lismore Taxis was a collaborative of individually owned taxis, with 21 separate owners and their drivers, who were all struggling to pay the running costs of operating a taxi. “It costs about $1200 a month to keep a taxi on the road,” he said. “The overheads are huge – there’s the insurance, green slip and car registration – and then the base fees on top of it so we can keep Lismore Taxis and staff operating. “We’ve also got new people who’ve just bought into the business, trying to making payments on cars - and need to meet installments."It makes it hard and we’ve just got to push on."“The people who advertise rideshares are not around in these hard times, but Lismore taxi drivers are going to keep going.”Government announces new wage subsidy package

As the coronavirus pandemic picks up speed so is the case of scammers trying to get our hard earned cash.In the last week my family has been targeted by these low life's. This is a warning for all of us to be alert and aware when we are at our most vulnerable.On Saturday, I received this text message.Being naturally sceptical about scammers I didn't push on the link but instead checked the website address in my browser. Low and behold it does not exist.Scam!Earlier last week, my wife got a call from a company informing us that our insurance company will not cover us during this pandemic and kindly offered to insure us to make sure we were covered. All we had to do was give them some information. I don't think so.Scam!This just serves as a warning to Lismore App readers to be extra careful. Don't let anyone induce fear into your world that leads you to give out personal information either on your mobile phone or landline or through a website link.Simply ignore it and let's get on with ridding ourselves COVID-19.

We start our week under new restrictions introduced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison last night;Only two people can now gather in public spaces.People aged 70 and over are urged to stay at homePublic playgrounds, outside gyms and skateparks are closed.Group bootcamps are banned but one on one personal trainer sessions are allowed.We also start our week in the knowledge that the NSW Health confirmed coronavirus cases jumped from 25 on Friday to 33 over the weekend. What we can tell you now, thanks to NSW Health is that the Lismore area has 1-4 confirmed cases. The reason we know this is the NSW Health is now giving more detailed information on where confirmed cases are located.Northern NSW Local Health District will provide more information about how the virus was acquired in the afternoon.There has been no deaths in the Northern Rivers and no more deaths in NSW since last week, however there are 20 people in intensive care units.

The coronavirus has caused more job losses in Lismore with the Lismore City Council cutting 73 jobs yesterday.The exact details are yet to be released but the majority of those jobs lost are from GSAC (Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre) where the building was forced to shutdown under Federal restrictions on March 25 for Leisure and Recreation which included indoor gyms and pools.The job losses extends to the Lismore Memorial Baths on Molesworth Street which have closed early due to the coronavirus.General Manager Shelley Oldham told the Lismore App that "these are very challenging times and we had to move quickly".Mayor Isaac Smith this morning said "we feel sorry for everyone who is losing their jobs right now, this is a brutal decision that we, as a council have to make".Most of the job losses are part-time and casual positions but it does involve some full-time positions.Matt George from Summit Fitness in Goonellabah said that he has had to let go 40 staff since the 25th and is now looking to empty his pool save money on running costs. Summit have been uploading video classes so members can do on-line classes. So far Summit has seen 72 on-line subscriptions at this stage, there is some free content for people to workout to as well (https://www.facebook.com/Summit-Sport-and-Fitness-Centre-272924377451/).The Lismore City Council will be meeting regularly in the next two weeks to plan a coronavirus response. Like any business council need to review reducing revenue and then determine what measures need to be implemented to keep council functioning.Mayor Smith added that "to my knowledge, local councils have had no financial support from Federal or State Government to this point". This raises the question of rate relief because without some additional Federal or State funding local council will not have room in their current budgets to make the decision alone.

Another Lismore small business has made the decision to close its doors, the good news is that it is only temporary.Mecca Cafe on Magellan Street is the second small business to farewell customers in two days with the Garden Plate (also on Magellan Street) shutting down yesterday. This follows other businesses that have already closed including Uncle Lims and Mandarin Palace as well as forced closures for companies like Rollerworld and our pubs and clubs.(the bustling Mecca Cafe in happier times)Owner Kelly Casey-Mclean said the decision was not purely financial."We are asked to practice social distancing and stay at home as much as possible so we have made the decision to look after our family and our staff by doing this, starting today", she said."We have not had a holiday since 2017 so now we will spend time with the children at home and help with their on-line schooling""As a business owner and a mother this is a tough call but it is time to re-calibrate", Kelly explained.The temporary closure is for an initial two weeks which will be re-assessed as the coronavirus story unfolds.Premier Gladys Berejiklian said earlier today that NSW has added 212 new cases in the last 24 hours bring the total of confirmed coronavirus cases to 1617. The death toll stands at 8 after a 91 year old woman died yesterday.In the Northern NSW Local Health District the number of confirmed cases sits at 25 with no deaths recorded.For those businesses that decide to remain open, times are tough with trade down 50%. A reminder that you can support them via the Lismore App's yellow Takeaway/Home Delivery button. You can order food, coffees, bedding , soil for the garden and more.All businesses have measure in place to protect you from coronavirus and practice the suggested good hygiene practises.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.

The Lismore City Council had an extraordinary meeting yesterday afternoon to address what can be done to help residents in these unusual coronavirus times.At the conclusion of the meeting it was decided that Lismore City Council will reduce fees and defer the commencement of interest on overdue payments by 60 days as part of a range of measures to help residents and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.Council will also hold a workshop next week on the financial impact of deferring interest charged on overdue rates for a period of up to 15 months.Council voted unanimously at an extraordinary on 27 March to implement the following measures:Extend the commencement of interest accruals on overdue notices by 60 days.Halt all legal action on overdue rates except those already before the courts.Reduce the minimum per week repayment for overdue rates to $25.Council will also reduce the following fees:Community facility hire fees – full refunds for cancelled bookings.Commercial use of footpaths – no fees for a period of 15 months from 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2021 to allow businesses to re-establish.Community group tenancy rentals – fees waived for community groups that rent Council-owned buildings.Market fees – no fees from 1 April to 30 September 2020.Building owner fire certificate – no processing fees for one year.Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith said Council had chosen not to borrow funds at this stage to provide rate relief with Council acknowledging that it is not in a position to increase borrowings.The Mayor said Council would lobby state and federal governments to provide much-needed funding.“Council will seek support from the state and federal governments to provide relief to residents and businesses. Council does not have sufficient cash reserves to waive or defer rates and we must continue delivering essential services,” he said.“Council understands that the current COVID-19 crisis is having devastating impacts on businesses and families, and we have implemented measures to ensure we do not further disadvantage those who are already struggling.“We are eager to hear the announcements by the Federal Government around further support for businesses including measures to protect commercial tenants.”

This afternoon at 3pm, the Lismore App team along with 61 other teams making up 478 participants would have begun our eighteen hour walk for Lismore & Villages Relay For Life to raise money and support the Cancer Council.This event will take place later in the year due to the coronavirus but there will be an event that I hope all team members will participate in tonight. It is called 'Hope At Home'.During the week, teams would have received a Hope At Home kit which contained a bag and candle. We are encouraged to light this candle tonight and place it on our balconies in honour of cancer patients and Lismore and Village Relay.Caitlyn Feldmann, Community Lead - Northern Communities has asked us to "Please write a message on the bag, place the bag on your front veranda, or in a window, and turn the candle on. Please take a photo of your Hope bag and upload it to the Lismore and Villages Relay for Life Facebook page with the hashtag #Hopeathome".So, if you see lights on balconies, verandahs or in windows tonight in your neighbourhood, you know this is in support of Relay For Life.

The most recent information from the Northern NSW Local Health District has confirmed three more cases of coronavirus in our area. This brings the total now to 25.The new cases are:Case 23 - in home isolation after returning from overseasCase 24 - in home isolation, after returning from overseasCase 25 - in home isolation, after returning from overseasThe 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.The cases for NNSWLHD include:16 overseas acquired cases2 contacts of a confirmed case/ or in a known cluster2 contact not identified5 under investigation – source unknownOf these previous 22 cases, 19 are currently in self-isolation at home and two are in hospital. One person is considered to have recovered.The Prime Minister, Scott Morrison announced this afternoon that from midnight tomorrow anyone coming back into Australia on over seas flights will be self isolating in hotels with other passengers for 14 days before they are allowed home.The Australian Army has also been brought in to help Police monitor those people already in self isolation.The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in NSW stands at 1,405 of which 877 were acquired over seas. A COVID-19/flu clinic is established the Lismore Base Hospital, it is open from 10am to 6pm daily. 

I was tempted to put up the POSTPONED sign for the Weekend Wrap but there are a number of new closures due to the coronavirus that need to be reinforced.National Parks are closed so all bush walks are out. There is the short Birdwing Butterfly Walk in Goonellabah, the Back Alley Gallery walk in the CBD, the Historic Interest Walk, the Wilson River Experience Walk or the Lismore Lake walk (Walks).The Lismore City Council is advising us to stay away from playgrounds and park equipment.To some good news!The Lismore Farmers Markets are on tomorrow morning from 8am. They are considered an essential service.This statement was taken from their facebook page."We have fresh produce sold in the open fresh air with a short or direct supply chain. So come support your local Farmers & your health. We will be operating in the new 'shop 'n' go' style, we really appreciate your assistance with these changes.This week we encourage respectful social distancing of at least 1.5m in line ups. Market start time is 8am. Looking forward to seeing you there & feeling grateful for such wonderful community".The Blue Knob Community Markets are on this weekend too."We will be open again this Saturday to bring you all some fresh food, delicious apples, eggs, coffee beans, honey, mushrooms, bread, focaccia’s and something sweet or savoury to take home to have with your takeaway coffee, tea or chai from the cafe". Taken from facebook.Please remember the 1.5m social distancing rules when you attend the markets and practice good hygiene.While on shopping, I am pleased to share some good news to you, our Lismore App readers about our new Takeaway/Home Delivery button.Upon launching the button we saw just under 1,100 views over the next 18 hours! This will make small business owners in our community smile and feel more optimistic about the next few weeks ahead.Please don't just look but actually buy from the business, this is how we can keep their doors open and keep people employed.You can call and pre-order your food or drink with many businesses bringing it out to your car or home delivering your meal.This is not just food and beverage businesses but other retail outlets such as entertainment, gardening, bedding, toys, books and more.As you would understand we have a lot of businesses to include in our list. This will be done over the course of today and the weekend so please keep checking regularly.To illustrate how grave the situation is, we had another temporary closure today due to lack of customers.The Garden Plate on Magellan Street put up this sign.When Vanessa and her team do finalise home delivery, they will be back on the Takeway/Home Delivery button looking for your support.We have been experience high usage of the Lismore App and have been receiving messages from people, thank you for letting us know. If the app freezes on a page for a while, be patient. A lot of users means a slow down in our systems occasionally but rest assured we are working in the background to improve your experience.The recommendation is to continue to stay home as much as we can. Go out buy what you need and go home.There will be more news over the weekend about the third tranche of government financial help that will support those businesses that need to close their doors or have been forced to close their doors because of government restrictions. We will let you know the details as soon as they become available.As I write, the Northern NSW count of confirmed coronavirus cases is 25. This is an increase of three cases in the last 24 hours. There will be more details this afternoon.That is the Weekend Wrap. Stay safe and stay healthy.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.

With the weekend nearly upon us, Lismore City Council is advising residents not to use playgrounds or park equipment for public health reasons.While exercising and visiting parks is permitted under the current COVID-19 restrictions, people are strongly encouraged not use playgrounds or park equipment due to the risk of virus transmission.People are also reminded that National Parks are now closed until further notice and it is not permissible to visit sites such as the Minyon Falls visitor and camping areas.Meanwhile, Council is continuing to monitor parking throughout Lismore city to ensure public safety and access to private property. Maintaining access around the hospital for medical and emergency vehicles is also a high priority for Council Rangers.

Who will feed the homeless in Lismore If the government bring in stricter rules to combat the spread of coronavirus?That’s the question Winsome Soup Kitchen manager Sharon Dwyer asks as she prepares today’s take away meals for local homeless people.“If we all have to stay indoors, who will feed them?” she asks.“Will the government step up and shelter and feed people if we move to a new level of restrictions?“We haven’t heard the government talk about homeless, just businesses and renters not being evicted.”Sharon said even though the Winsome has closed as place to gather, the venue’s commercial kitchen is still making main meals daily and packing them into take away containers to be distributed at 11.30am.“We have a hatch in the wall at the Winsome where people can come and get the food in a bag. They are being called the Winsome show bags,” she laughed.“We cater for vegetarians too – people can have fruit, dessert and a sandwich and if they don’t have cutlery, we give them that too.“We pass the bag through the hatch and encourage people to stay 1.5 metres apart in the line.“We want to keep doing it as long as we can and we will keep discussing what to do when the next level of restrictions comes in.”Winsome president Meike Bell said as well as food relief, the Winsome was also still providing support by giving clothes, toiletries, blankets and tents to people who needed them.“We closed last Wednesday, but because we are still able to provide food, there is less anxiety in our people,” Meike said. “Food security for everybody is important – especially for those sleeping rough.“The outreach services who used the visit can’t come here anymore – like Legal Aid, Centrelink and the doctor. I rang them all last week when we decided to close and they had all done their own risk assessments and decided to stop coming anyway.“Our priority is to protect our volunteers and residents – if we don’t have volunteers, we don’t have a service.”“We’ve had to drop hot teas and coffees off the menu, but we give people a tea bag so they can make a boil water when they get to where they are going.“Winter will be colder and we hope we can still be here to support most vulnerable people who are living on the edge.”Read about how to cope psychologically through the coronavirus pandemic: Dr Desirée Kozlowski: Tiny pleasures can help us through this stressful timeAnglican Church provides emergency foodThe Lismore Food Pantry closed earlier this week, but the Anglican Church stepped up and is providing food relief from the Anglican Church on Zadoc Street, opposite Harvey Norman from 10-11am, Mondays to Fridays.Reverend Alan Shaw said the church will continue to provide the emergency relief of ready made food packages “while we can still sustain it”.“We have limited resources and we don’t get assistance from anywhere,” Rev Shaw said. “It will be until we either run out of food or the government brings in more changes and we are told we can’t do it anymore.“We are also observe social distancing and hygiene measures in handling packaging and distributing food.” 

The challenges of physical distancing have forced universities to reinvent the delivery of subjects. Now Southern Cross University’s Bachelor of Contemporary Music is one of first music degrees in Australia to go online. The degree, offered through the University's Lismore campus, was also one of the first music courses in the country not geared to classical music or jazz.Senior lecturer Dr Matt Hill, said the quick transition to online study provided many challenges, but the team managed to complete the online conversion process in one, very full, week.“Taking an entire degree that was completely face-to-face and delivering it all online has involved a massive effort from all of the staff,” Dr Hill said.“It’s a big job and it’s certainly still a work in progress, but it’s working.” “Obviously good quality audio and vision is important, if you want to play music or demonstrate a technique on drums for example, so getting the technology aspect right is paramount.”The degree includes 13 units, with a mix of lectures and tutorials, some one-on-one lessons on specific instruments, or in song writing, and there are also small and large ensembles and small group lessons on an instrument.“Classes are running 9-5 Monday to Thursday so today, for example, we have 5 classes running at the same time: a lecture in Studies In Western Art and Contemporary Music, a Sound Production tutorial, a workshop in Sound Styles and Culture, a small ensemble and a group guitar lesson,” he said.Most of these classes are happening in real-time through Collaborate Ultra in Blackboard, however the team are also using Zoom and exploring things like Skype and Facetime.“The biggest challenge has been ensuring we’re delivering the same kind of learning outcomes. How do we do pedagogy correctly in an online world? This is where Lisa’s background has been very useful,” he said.“I’m always asking myself questions like, is this engaging for students? Is this still ticking the learning outcomes box?”Dr Hill said he has found the process really engaging.“It’s been an exciting time to reinvent what you do.”There are currently 147 students enrolled in the degree.“We’ve had graduates go on to successful careers in lots of different aspects of the industry," Dr Hill said."We’ve had one win a Grammy, one an Academy Award nominee, another, Scott Aplin, is the musical director for The Voice and quite a lot of graduates go on to do a Master of Teaching and become music teachers.“A lot of our graduates are teaching for the Northern Rivers Conservatorium of Music in Lismore and in schools in the area as well.”The course, offered at both Southern Cross’ Lismore campus, been running since the university began in 1986 Direct applications for mid-year entry are now open for Session 2 begin July 6. For more information see scu.edu.au/study-at-scu/music-and-creative-arts/ . 

Camping and picnic areas in NSW State forests are closed from midday today, Friday, March 27, as part of the public health precaution for Covid-19.Forestry Corporation’s Tourism and Partnerships Manager, Louise Faulkner said this move followed the Government direction.“State forests are popular tourism destinations but unfortunately, right now with the COVID-19 situation, groups of people congregating and using shared facilities is not possible," she said.“Visitor areas including camping areas, picnic areas and public toilets in State forests are closed until further notice.“People currently in these areas are asked to move on and we ask anyone planning on heading to a State forest for camping and picnicking to change their plans."This applies to all State forests in NSW including native forests and pine plantations.Walking tracks in State forests can still be accessed for exercise although it is important that people practice social distancing of 1.5m between individuals as per the public health advice.“We understand this decision will be disappointing for those who love to use our State forests, especially over the Easter break," Louise said."However this year it is simply not possible."The Government’s advice is to avoid all unnecessary travel and so camping and picnicking in State forests is off the cards for the time being.Further information is on the website at www.forestrycorporation.com.au