One thought from me:

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As we head into a new school year, the public health messaging around COVID-19 is changing.

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This year, we are told, schools will stay open and we are unlikely to go into lockdown again. In a way, now, the responsibility to slow the spread of the virus is on us, rather than on our leaders.

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So, what can we do? Well, on the ABC news broadcast last night, the NSW Transport Minister, David Elliot, urged families who could, to walk to school rather than take a bus.

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The World Health Organisation says something similar in an online fact sheet about the disease. 'Meet people outside,' it reads, 'Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor ones, particularly if indoor spaces are small and without outdoor air coming in.'

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Standing on the beach this morning, I realised that for the year ahead, the decision to go outside is no longer just a decision that benefits you and your family, it's also a decision that helps others, a way to love our neighbour.

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And I think that's kind of wonderful.

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A quote from someone else:

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Researchers say infections can happen outdoors, but the chances are massively reduced.

Fresh air disperses and dilutes the virus.

It also helps to evaporate the liquid droplets in which it is carried.

On top of that, ultraviolet light from the sun should kill any virus that's out in the open. ​
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- David Shukman, Science Editor for BBC News in the article, Covid: Can you catch the virus outside?​
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And a few things I think you will love:

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If you're a visual person, this article has a graph that explains how much less transmissible the virus is outdoors which is quite interesting.

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We've made a commitment to, where possible, keep social gatherings to outdoors only. I've been sending friends a text before they come to our house letting them know about this, alternatively we make plans to meet outside at a park or playground instead of at home. It's something we've always tried to do, but we are now doing it with a renewed commitment and it's been great. The kids play more happily outside and I love that the house stays tidy.

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Also, my beautiful friend Jodi Wilson's book comes out this week. She has a whole chapter about the benefits of time outside, and here is a little excerpt just for you.

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I have always encouraged my children to play outside; to be in nature, learn to navigate it, learn to love it. I watched them climb trees, jump rocks, dig in the dirt, and I told them to stay out there till dinner time. But I didn’t give myself the same advice. I stayed inside, consumed and overwhelmed by to-do lists and washing piles.

And then we lived in a caravan. A natural consequence of living in a small space is that you gravitate outside for light and space and air; I spent 10 hours a day on the sand and the dirt and the dust and my whole body and mind settled.

Living simply, in nature, drew me back to what mattered. And it grounded me in a way that nothing else ever has. Living simply, in tune with nature, may be the most natural thing we can do. But it’s also challenging. Dropping everything to get into nature isn’t easy, but it’s always worthwhile.

- From Instagram, @practicingsimplicty​

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You can pre-order the book here. The book is officially released on Tuesday.

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Thanks for reading,

Hannah Alexander x

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Each week, I share 1. A thought from me,

2. A quote from someone else and 3. Some things I hope you'll like.

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