HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED THE AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE

 COVID-19 has turned Australia into a nation of screen addicts sustained by snacks and lollies as the overwhelming majority of us obey restrictions on meeting friends and going out.

Stuck at home without sport to watch, bars to drink at or live music to enjoy, Australians turned to baking, gardening, puzzles and household chores as well as shouldering the burden of educating children not able to attend school.

From working at home to walking the dog, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected women’s lives more than men, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Surveys of households from March to May found women were more likely than men to have increased their consumption of fruit and vegetables, snack foods, alcohol and vitamins during the pandemic, while men ate more takeaway meals.

Almost half of people surveyed were working from home (56 per cent of women compared to 38 per cent of men), while 58 per cent reported spending more time watching television or staring at screens.

Perhaps they’re watching MasterChef or ogling photos of sourdough starter on social media given 38 per cent of people said they were spending more time cooking.

However, the nation’s waistline is also expanding thanks to the 22 per cent of people eating more snack food and 14 per cent drinking more alcohol.

The shutdown of gyms and temporary closure of some beaches also affected fitness levels, with 20 per cent of people doing less exercise.

But Michelle Marquardt, ABS program manager for household surveys, said a greater proportion of people (25 per cent) did more exercise while the rest maintained their level of (in)activity.

The father of a newborn baby, Francis Novis, 28, has an excuse for cutting back on exercise although his wife, Carmella, said she had taken up jump rope every day.

“I used to play basketball a couple of times a week,” Mr Novis said. “Right now with the pandemic to even go outside I feel paranoid because of the baby.”

The couple from Minchinbury in Sydney’s west say they are cooking more but also eating more chips and lollies. They have been vigilant about social distancing, limiting time outside their home and following hygiene protocols to protect their baby's health.

“We spend a lot of time in the living room watching TV,” Mr Novis said. “We put a mattress in there so everyone can sleep in the living room.”

Few Australians have flouted the rules during the COVID-19 crisis, despite protests against the lockdown - more than 90 per cent of people say they have been social distancing, while at least 85 per cent avoided public spaces.

Yet 4.9 million people said early in the pandemic they did not intend to have a flu vaccination this year.

Ms Marquardt said most people were taking the pandemic “pretty seriously” although she was a “little surprised” by the number of people wearing face masks (15 per cent).

“I saw that a lot going to the shops and seeing people were pretty patient and standing on the crosses,” she said.

Finances had deteriorated for one-in-three households due to COVID-19 although 14 per cent said their finances had improved. Mr Novis estimated he had lost about 40 per cent of his income as a real estate agent although he was in the fortunate position of living with his parents.

Courtesy: www.smh.com.au

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