COVID-19 Diaries: Opera From the Rooftops

An opera singer performs from 10 stories up on a roof top to locals below in Kings Cross, as a way to help alleviate some of the pressures of self-isolation and social distancing being experienced by the community.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: Lidcombe

A street sign in Lidcombe, thanking the work of nurses during the pandemic.

Long undervalued and underpaid, healthcare workers are finally becoming recognised for their frontline services in the battle against COVID-19.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: Escalators

A lone masked figure travels down the escalators in an otherwise deserted up-market shopping mall in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

While the economic impacts of COVID-19 have hit small businesses the hardest, top-end brands haven’t been immune from financial pain either.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: Food Hampers for the Needy

Boxed food hampers decorated with good-will messages from primary school children are piled up high, waiting for pick-up and delivery to those short on food and in need.

The initiative is part of a social support response to the devastating economic effects of COVID-19, run by the Addison Road Community Centre and Food Pantry in Marrickville in Sydney’s inner west. The service, which relies mostly on volunteers and donations, has received an overwhelming demand for food hampers from the unemployed, Aboriginal communities, refugees, international students and many others without adequate government support, and who have suddenly found themselves financially vulnerable as a result of the epidemic.

Pictured here also are international tertiary students, mostly from Colombia and elsewhere in Latin America, who are stranded in Australia without flights back home, and with little or no work. They are not entitled to any government support whatsoever. Around 100 students lined up for food hampers on the day these photographs were taken.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: Home on the Streets

A rough sleeper takes shelter under the awning of a bank spruiking home loans, on Pitt Street in Sydney’s CBD.

While the government is telling people to self-isolate at home, a new wave of homeless people is appearing on the city’s streets as businesses close, job losses hit record numbers and mental health is put under intense pressure as a result of COVID-19. The homeless are some of the most vulnerable people at risk to the virus. With winter around the corner, conditions for those without a roof over their heads is about to get even more difficult.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: The Party Is Over

A man in a face mask walks past a party decorations store that has closed down as a result of the economic crash caused by the COVID-19 virus.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: Social Distancing Signs

A collection of images of social distancing signs and markers taken over the last week or two.

Although the government is slowly opening back up some areas for public use, such as beaches, and flagging the return of schools and professional sport (such as the NRL), they also warn that social distancing will be enforced until at least the end of this year.

Meanwhile, Tokyo and Singapore, previously praised for their low rates of COVID-19, are now experiencing a resurgence of cases as fears of a second wave spread across the world.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: Taxi Cab

A taxi with a sanitising sign in its window waits on the curb for its next ride.

Some taxi cabs are now offering complete interior sanitising after each customer in an effort to attract business at a time when many people are self-isolating.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: International Student Crisis

Household items are piled up on the street curb outside former student accomodation, suggesting a hurried and thorough departure.

With universities in partial shutdown, with no flights in or out of Australia, and with service and manual labour jobs drying up, many international students have been forced out of accomodation and work, and into poverty with no way of getting back to their home countries.

The government has yet to provide any support.

Some have turned to charities and street kitchens to survive.

More to come on this story.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: 24/7 Street Kitchen and Safe Space

Social distancing laws has meant that community support services have had to innovate.

The Sydney 24/7 Street Kitchen and Safe Space are now distributing hot meals and food hampers to homeless people in Martin Place with a specially devised trolley which can be pushed out and retracted, resulting in zero physical contact. This ensures that both volunteers and the homeless remain safe.

Homeless people are some of the most vulnerable to COVID-19. Without a home, they cannot self-isolate. While the government has provided some additional temporary accomodation, many are still without a roof over their head and many still lack the essentials, like food and basic health care.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: Bondi Beach Testing Station

Images of the pop-up drive through COVID-19 testing station at Bondi Beach.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: Food Hamper Deliveries to Refugees

Boxes of groceries were delivered to the refugee community around Sydney’s west yesterday as part of a program to support those most impacted by the economic collapse as a result of COVID-19.

The scheme is run through the Food Pantry and the Addison Road Community Centre.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: A View of the Quay

NSW Government and Transport signage about the coronavirus at Circular Quay train station, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: Minto Charity Food Drops

Photographs from today’s food drops around Minto in Sydney’s south west, run by local volunteers for the elderly, the poor, the sick and those particularly at risk from COVID-19.

Despite the billions of dollars being spent by governments to prop up the economy during this health crisis, many people at the bottom end of the socio-economic ladder are struggling to afford food. Widespread job losses, self-isolation and strict social distancing laws have compounded the hardship.

In response and with no financial support, a group of diverse locals working through a handful of small charitable organisations have banded together to set up a daily food store for the needy, to cook meals and to distribute them to homes around Minto.

The food store and deliveries are organised through a grassroots campaign involving South West Multicultural Centre, Young Spirit Mentoring Program, Community Connect MacArthur, Campbelltown Council and Shining Stars.

Special thanks to Uncle David Bell for organising photographic access.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: At Home With Aunty Verna

Aunty Verna Barker looks out from her window at her Minto home, as food deliveries are made by grassroots community volunteers.

In March, the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison said people over 70 years of age should self-isolate at home because they are most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. He went on to say that equally, Aboriginal people over 50 should also self-isolate. In that instant, perhaps unwittingly, the Prime Minister publicly pronounced the appalling disparity and 20 year life expectancy gap between non-Aboriginal people and Aboriginal people.

More pics to come from this series shot today.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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COVID-19 Diaries: Nightfall in the CBD

Images of a normally busy peak hour period across the CBD as night falls.

Images of the Goods Line in Ultimo, along George Street, Martin Place, William Street and Bridge Street.

Part of an ongoing photographic series, 'COVID-19 Diaries'.

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