99 Operation COVID Assist The Coronavirus pandemic swept through the world at an alarming rate in the closing days of 2019. Originating in Wuhan, China the virus would begin to spread worldwide throughout the start of 2020. Australia recorded its first case on the 25th January 2020 and this would eventually trigger the government’s response to defend the economy, support the people and increase supply to the healthcare industry. In the initial days of the virus’s arrival in Australia there was little difference to the ordinary life, but we had already seen many examples of what other world leaders had done well and more importantly what they had not. It was a strange time for the Army as the beginning weeks of February started to show more and more confirmed cases. Eventually, the government decided to take drastic action in reducing the spread of the virus by enforcing social distancing, implementing self-quarantine procedures and most notably, urging people to work from home wherever possible. Prime Minister Scott Morrison handled the economic defence, whilst the Health Minister continued to give advice day after day on the best actions to take to remain safe. The Prime Minister, based on the Health Minister’s advice, set down a list of rules and left the states and territories the freedom to decide how best to handle their response. Most of his rulings were heeded by the state leaders, including the advice to reduce public gatherings down to 10. This meant that a majority of large organisations – including the Army - would have to work from home along with the rest of the country, which was a strange and bewildering thing. The 103rd Battery continued training from home through the use of apps such as Signal and Google Classroom. Whilst at home the Battery would report in at 0730 to enforce a normal routine, conduct personal fitness (consistent with the at-home training plan) and then be given or sent artillery-related references to study before
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE4NTMz