Covid-19: The Air Force worker stuck in the cycle of managed isolation
Royal New Zealand Air Force squadron leader Marcus Hogan is second in charge of the No 5 Squadron which flies P-3K2 Orions.
The 41-year-old pilot was deployed to Japan in December to patrol international waters in North Asia to detect vessels of interest and illicit ship to ship transfers.
The mission backed implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea.
Hogan said he isolated for 14 days on arrival in Japan, operated under “level four lockdown” conditions for another four weeks, then returned home to another 14 days in managed isolation.
“You start going a bit stir crazy, then you stack up a couple of sets of isolation on that, and you start getting a bit twitchy,” the Whenuapai resident said.
Hogan packed his travel guitar, computer and books to keep busy.
He said some team members struggled with the long confinement “but we helped each other out, got some memes and some Viber groups going”.
The degree of discomfort from nose swabs depended on the skills and the speed of the person administering the test, he said.
During one “horrid” examination, a health worker was proceeding so slowly that Hogan started sneezing.
“Oh my word, it was uncomfortable. I was crying for about 10 minutes.”
The former airline pilot said before the pandemic, cabin crew and Orion personnel would typically spend their rest time abroad at the pool, going for a walk or doing something fun together.
“Now you talk to people on the aircraft, hop off and go to your own room and that’s the end of it.
“It definitely has taken a lot of that enjoyable social aspect out of it.”
Read about other air crew facing perpetual managed isolation here:
www.stuff.co.nz...
Share your most delicious (but affordable!) go-to meal...
Winter is knocking at the door and the cost of living has already made itself at home. So let's help each other out by sharing your meal ideas that don't break the bank.
Comment below with your go-to meals that are delicious and affordable.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
Have you got your tickets yet?
Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in stunning Papamoa, worth just over $1.1 million.
Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental, or you can simply sell it! Get your tickets today.
Poll: Have you ever been bullied?
People associate bullying with children in schools, but it can actually stretch beyond childhood to workplaces or neighbourhoods.
This Friday is Pink Shirt Day, which began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. People across the globe are now encouraged to wear pink on this day to take a stand against bullying and promote inclusivity.
Have you or your whānau ever experienced bullying? Share your thoughts on Pink Shirt Day below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
-
80% Yes
-
19.6% No
-
0.4% Other - I'll share below
Loading…
