18-March - Wednesday - What is “safe”?

As we woke up to a beautiful view of Mount Agung, Bali’s volcano, against a blue sky, reflecting its massive size in a tranquil turquoise lagoon lined by palm trees, we were greeted by anxious messages of friends and loved ones about Australia imposing further travel restrictions. This made us ask: “Are we safe?”, “Are we being responsible by not jumping on the next aircraft home?” Upon assessing the current situation of being on an island swept by a fresh breeze, with the sunshine tickling our skin and the pool’s chlorine disinfecting it, the first reaction was: “Yes, we are safe & being responsible by not panicking!” Our thoughts went to my brother and his daughter also in Bali with us, but not on the same island. Are they safe? Furthermore we have two dear friends, our soul mates, currently in Indonesia for business and an additional very dear friend now living here. Are they safe? We reached out and all of us agreed we are not having any current health issues that might put us at risk should any of us come into contact with COVID-19, food is plentiful, people are going about their daily life. This did make me think, what is “safe”? Is it to have immediate access to an advanced health system, accessible instantly when in need? What if said health system is under strain? Would you still be viewing your proximity to a health system struggling to cope with a sudden influx of symptomatic or stressed citizens seeking a simple reassurance as an important factor of feeling “safe”? What about easy access to food, transportation and being able vosot friends? Or is “safe” being in your own walls, in your own country, surrounded by a functioning fridge, water and electricity? Are all these the things that make us feel “safe”? If they are, are we “safer” in Bali where we have immediate family & dear friends and supermarkets that are not being striped bare by hordes of panicking people? I came to the conclusion that in my opinion “safe” is about your own mental health, your stress level and anxiety, your personal physical well-being and access to a support network of family & friends. All of these look reassuringly positive whilst we remain in Bali, where life is progressing as normal, people are stressed about the lack of tourists but are not panic buying as a consequence of irrational fear. We are looking after our physical health by staying physically active and eating fresh food, washing it down with plenty of disinfecting alcohol, or so we think. We will soon be re-united with my brother and niece, and our friends, giving us the support and reassurance that a united group of people always will. Australia does not seem as “safe” as Bali. What will it take for a riot to occur next time shopping centres run empty? Friends and family: “Stay safe, knowing we are very safe here in Bali!”

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