‘I can accept all but one rule being imposed on us during coronavirus’

I have never before written anything like this. I am in my 70s and I am a law-abiding citizen. Coronavirus has been a huge challenge for all of us! I believe we are extremely blessed to be living in this country (Australia) and I am very thankful for the stand our governments have taken to keep us as safe as we can be.

However, as much as I have and will continue to happily keep to all the social distancing rules, and have only gone to shop twice in the early shopping period afforded seniors, I am not at all happy with the rule preventing me from going for a drive.

I cannot understand why I can’t get in my own car, alone with my dog, with the intention of getting out of the house. I don’t plan on stopping anywhere and have no intention to even park! I merely want a change of scenery for a little while.

Why am I not permitted to go for a drive? I have paid for my car and for my registration, which supposedly gives me the right to drive on Queensland roads. Perhaps this should be in question as now I am not permitted to do so. Maybe if, when, I am pulled over I’ll pay the fine from what would have been my registration payment this year.

I live alone. I am self-isolating and obeying all the rules. Yet, this no driving business is not one I understand and do not believe it to be at all fair.

For many years I have driven to the north side of Brisbane each week to visit my sister. During coronavirus such trips do not fulfil the ‘essential travel’ requirement that would allow me to continue such activities. Why? My sister needs me as much as I need her.

We no longer have parents, of course. She is unmarried and has no one else to support her. She has a serious illness and is on a disability pension.

Yet because I am not travelling locally (or within my suburb) I am not supposed to get in my car and drive to visit her. I can justify this trip, but I should not have to explain myself. This is not okay.

I have heard that by not driving I am not putting myself at risk of an accident whereby I could tie up the emergency services who should otherwise be attending to patients with Covid-19. This is true, but the same risk exists if I am going to the shops for groceries. I’ve been driving for more than 55 years and thankfully I’ve not had an accident requiring the emergency services in all that time.

But come on politicians! By all means impose rules that will protect us all, but I honestly don’t feel that being in my car alone for a drive should be one of them. The weekly outing was something to look forward to and I felt it was good for not only my mental health, but that of my sister.

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