The COVIDSafe behaviour outlined here is critical to ensuring the safety of all staff, students and visitors to our campuses.

The University continues to maintain close alignment with NSW Health advice and requirements. The best source of COVID information is our Coronavirus infection webpage, which has a set of Frequently Asked Questions that is regularly reviewed.

Of note for casual staff in isolation, the COVIDSafe Absence Payment continues to be available to eligible staff for absences commencing prior to 31 December 2022 (for more details see FAQ 41).

The University continues to provide sanitiser across campus, and masks and rapid antigen tests for staff upon request, such as front-line staff whose role involves regular face-to-face interaction (e.g., teaching, service desks, and in student accommodation). These are being managed within Faculties and Portfolios. Please check with your manager, supervisor or Faculty Operational Support area.

Masks are encouraged for use in indoor settings where physical distancing (1.5m) cannot be maintained. Masks will continue to be required in specific settings, including healthcare and childcare settings, as well as in specialist teaching spaces such as the Faculty of Science and Engineering teaching laboratories. Students and staff may continue to wear masks as a personal preference in areas where they are not required (refer to FAQ14 for more details).

We acknowledge the challenges posed by the pandemic and its effect on our staff and students and appreciate the efforts of the University community to keep each other safe.

The MQ Health General Practice clinic has plenty of supply of the Pfizer vaccine, with appointments available for adult booster doses.

First and second dose vaccines are also available for anyone aged 5 years and over.

All Macquarie staff and students are invited to book online for themselves or their household contacts if eligible. Please note this is a private link for the Macquarie community, and should not be shared with the general public.

Vaccination remains the best way of protecting yourself from serious disease and hospitalisation associated with COVID-19. Evidence from Australia and overseas shows that two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are not sufficient to protect against the Omicron variant of the virus, making a booster extremely important.

Important note: You need to have a Medicare card to receive a vaccination at MQ Health General Practice. If you don’t have Medicare, please book your vaccination appointment at Ryde Respiratory Clinic.

Detailed information about the Return to Campus Plan was emailed to staff and students via MQ Announcements on 5 October. This information can also be found on the University’s COVID-19 webpage:

Information for staff
Information for students

A summary of the Return to Campus plan is also available and includes dates for the reopening of campus facilities and services.

Macquarie University Hospital has been accepting urgent (non-COVID) public surgical patients under agreements with Local Health Districts, as public hospitals increasingly focus on COVID-19 patients. To date, these have largely been general and cardiac surgical patients.

Our hospital stands ready to take more patients in the coming weeks as state-wide hospitalisations increase, with the health system projected to reach its peak activity in mid-October.

The Hospital has also been holding a ward on standby to assist with non-COVID patients requiring ongoing nursing and medical care.

Both the Hospital and the University are also providing staffing assistance at NSW Health vaccination hubs and hospitals in the form of nurses and final year medical students.

Twenty MUH nursing staff have been seconded for the past two months to support the vaccination rollout. This is provided in addition to the activity of our own vaccination clinic at the MQ Health General Practice, servicing Medicare eligible staff, students, and the general public.

Twenty-one final-year MD students have begun six-week placements as part of NSW Health’s Assistants in Medicine program. The students are based in Northern Sydney Local Health District, gaining vital experience in a busy public hospital environment.

MQ Health is incredibly proud of its staff, students, doctors and volunteers for their resilience, hard work and rapid pivoting to support the whole of health system effort in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Computational NeuroSurgery (CNS) Lab at Macquarie University was founded to merge computational and clinical neurosciences. Their aim is to find new prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic markers of neurological diseases –above all, brain tumours – by applying computational modelling and Artificial Intelligence.

Several research programs within the laboratory, including projects in neuroimaging, digital pathology, and machine vision, require the collection of clinical data from patients and healthy participants –for example, eye-tracking record for machine vision experiments.

COVID-related restrictions have made it very difficult to enrol patients and collect new clinical data. In some cases,  data collection is not possible at all. This required a nimble adaptation by our researchers.

The pandemic pivot

Based on computational analysis, the CNS Lab scholars showed  impressive agility to adapt their research environment. Weekly meetings quickly moved to teleconference and Research Associate Dr Carlo Russo moved the physical environment of the Lab’s high-performance workstations to the cloud, allowing the researchers to work remotely from home on several different projects.

Dr Russo returned to Italy at the end of his contract, however with special consideration of the COVID environment, has continued his work with the CNS Lab as an Honorary Senior Lecturer and continues to help supervise researchers and students remotely through this uncertain time.

Medical student Anne Jian, who joined the CNS Lab as a visiting scholar from the University of Melbourne, had to return to Melbourne during the first months of the pandemic. Despite this, she was able to resize her experimental work to systematic and literature reviews, remarkably publishing two papers in top neurosurgical journals and a chapter in a book on the application of machine learning in neurosurgery. Another Research Associate, Dr Abdulla Al Suman, joined the Lab in August 2020 and has been instrumental in reshaping weekly research meetings to a teleconference environment.  Dr Sidong Liu, a postdoctoral researcher from the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, continued his research in collaboration with the CNS Lab, publishing novel findings in neuroimaging and digital neuropathology.

The CNS Lab’s PhD candidates, Laya Jose, Robert Newport, Poonam Kumari and Mehnaz Tabassum, have all tailored their research, performing the analyses on pre-existing or previously collected datasets, seeding the experimental work to be finalised at the end of the restrictions, and were still able to publish reviews and experimental papers in international peer-reviewed journals.

Professor of Neurosurgery and Head of the CNS Lab, Antonio Di Ieva, has also continued his clinical and surgical activity along with his usual supervision of the CNS Lab research activities, continuing to publish peer-reviewed papers and delivering lectures at national and international teleconferences.

Despite their limitations in collecting new data during the pandemic, the CNS Lab team has shown great determination, working together to develop a resilient research model for the future.

Macquarie staff conducting research during the current lockdown should refer to the University’s COVID-19 information page for guidance.

A seminar on ‘Conducting Research in the Online Sphere’ is available on the Early Career Research Network website.

This article is published with the permission of Benestar, Macquarie’s Employee Assistance Program provider. Staff have free access to a wide range of health and wellbeing resources in the Benehub, as well as access to six free and confidential counselling or coaching sessions for themselves or their immediate family members.

Not many thought when the pandemic hit Australia, that 18 months later, we still be dealing with its fallout. The restrictions for those living and working in areas where the number of COVID cases are higher have caused psychological, physical, and emotional effects, including physical and mental exhaustion.

However, this fatigue can also be experienced by people in states or regions where there are no or very few positive cases of COVID, and where the long-term restrictions, such as border closures, have had a significant impact on their personal and work-related freedoms.

This article outlines what lockdown fatigue is, some of its causes, signs and symptoms, ideas to help you to manage it, and where to seek help if needed.

What is lockdown fatigue?

Lockdown fatigue has been described worldwide as a state of exhaustion caused by the long-term effects of COVID-19 and the changes it has caused to every aspect of your life. It is a state experienced when people have had to come to terms with a virus that has affected every aspect of their life, including their freedom, and which has continued for months, sometimes with no end in sight.

Allow yourself to grieve the ‘old normal’

Many people miss the pleasures of their old way of life and are grieving the loss of safety and predictability that has resulted from COVID-19. Grief is a natural reaction to loss or change of any kind and it is important to give yourself time to adjust to new routines and activities.

Dealing with feelings of sadness and loss can make us feel like we are ‘on an emotional roller coaster’ which can cause our behaviour to be unpredictable. This can lead to tensions and conflicts with the people we live with and they may not know how to best support us. Being able to communicate honestly about how you are feeling and how you can support each other may reduce or avoid potential conflict. Remember, many people will be sharing a similar experience to you so don’t be afraid to share your feelings and be open to accepting help and support from others if needed.

Understanding lockdown fatigue

Some of the reasons for the fatigue you may be feeling include:

• not being able to do what you want to
• being cooped up
• having to home school your children while trying to work from home
• sick of being cautious
• being cut-off from normal social interaction
• feeling uncertain and anxious about your employment or financial situation
• not seeing an end to the changes in your world as a result of COVID-19
• worrying about what the world will look like after COVID-19
• hearing about some people ‘not doing the right thing’
• the inconsistent messages given by leaders and politicians
• being bombarded by COVID-19 information.

What does lockdown fatigue feel like?

Some of the symptoms of lockdown fatigue that you may be experiencing include:

• short temper with outbursts of frustration, anger and irritability
• sadness
• depression
• anxiety and fear
• physical exhaustion and burnout
• difficulty focusing, prioritising, problem-solving and making decisions
• lack of motivation and reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities
• difficulty in maintaining a routine
• behavioural changes such as non-compliance with public health strategies, over- or under-eating and increased reliance on alcohol, cigarettes or drugs
• sleep disturbance
• negative thoughts like ‘I’m over this’, ‘I can’t see an end to it all’, ‘I’m so tired, I’ve just got no energy or motivation’, ‘It’s getting harder and harder to get out of bed each morning’, and ‘I can’t stand this anymore’
• exhaustion throughout the day.

How to deal with lockdown fatigue

Some ideas for managing during this difficult time:

• Recognise and try to accept that although you want to return to some sort of normality, this is only possible when it is safe.
• Acknowledge your feelings and reactions and try not to be critical or judge yourself. Some ideas that might help to recognise and understand your reactions include keeping a journal, doing meditation or other relaxation, or talking through your feelings with someone you trust.
• Be kind to yourself (and others). Accept that you may be more tired, not as productive or motivated as usual, and that you may have a shorter fuse and be more irritable.
• Try to create and stick to a routine. It’s common to feel tired and unmotivated when you’re not in your usual schedule, so it’s important to create a routine for your sleep, meals, work, rest and exercise. If you are working from home, take timeout and schedule regular breaks to get fresh air and relax.
• Connect with family, friends, and colleagues. Humans are social beings, so one of the hardest impacts of the COVID-19 for you may have been the restrictions on your social contact with people. If this is the case, make the most of technology, whether it be the phone or computer, to speak and/or see the important people in your life on a regular basis.
• Make the most of any opportunities to communicate, such as chatting over the back fence or balcony with a neighbour, passing them biscuits you baked or lemons from your tree; speaking to a passer-by as you weed your front garden, or while out walking in your local area; or asking the delivery person how they are as they deliver a parcel.
• Spend time relaxing. Do the things you enjoy, whether it be listening to music, reading, watching movies, gardening, working on your family history, playing games, or doing puzzles, craftwork or painting.
• Try to balance your negative thoughts with positive ones, to focus on the present and try not to worry about what you cannot control. Remember that Australia is doing well in managing the risks of COVID-19 and flattening the curve, and that continuing with restrictions will place us in an even better position.
• Seek additional help when needed.
• Make sure you look after yourself and get some of the following basics right:
• eat sensibly
• get regular exercise and keep active
• sleep well – try and keep to a routine and prioritise sleep, as the body needs good sleep to restore itself
• drink plenty of water
• get fresh air and sun if possible.

David shares data on how nations – including Australia – are coping with managing the COVID-19 pandemic, and reflects on what this means for staff and students at Macquarie.

He delves deep into the world of COVID-19 vaccines, providing analysis on how the rollout is proceeding both here in Australia and internationally.

He also paints a stark picture of the impact of the pandemic on global mortality rates and the battle that is being fought across the world to vaccinate populations, while dealing with COVID-19 variants.

View earlier instalments in the COVID-19 Insights Video Series >>  

We’re continuing to follow our COVIDSafe plan, with signage reminding people of the 1.5metre physical distancing rules, hand sanitiser dispensers available and, in selected locations, QR code check-in requirements. Additionally, limits on the number of people in meeting rooms remain in place, as does a reduced limitation on events and travel.

Staff are also likely to encounter COVIDSafe Ambassadors when they’re in major communal areas on campus, including MUSE, the Arts Precinct, Library, Campus Common and Central Courtyard. These Ambassadors are current students employed by Macquarie and trained to help everyone stay COVIDSafe by following our COVIDSafe plan.

“The COVIDSafe Ambassador Program was established when the campus reopened in August last year after the lockdown, and it ran until early December,” says Chief Risk Officer and COVIDSafe Coordinator Kylie McKiernan.

“The Ambassadors played a pivotal role in the implementation of the University’s  COVIDSafe plan. I’m pleased they’ll be returning this year to help our community follow the practices that were established last year to keep our campus COVIDSafe.”

The University remains in phase 3 of our Return to Campus plan, with staff working on campus in their usual pattern, and our COVID Taskforce continues to meet regularly. Please continue to familiarise yourself with the various notice guidance around campus, comply with directions from our COVIDSafe Ambassadors, and regularly check our COVID-19 webpages to help ensure we all remain COVIDSafe.

The series provides insights for the Macquarie community, with David analysing where we have got to in managing the pandemic in Australia, what lies on the horizon with vaccines, and the global impact of COVID-19 as the Northern Hemisphere braces for a second wave in its winter months.

In Part One of the series, COVID-19 Insights – Australia and New South Wales, David delves deep into the data to provide a range of thought-provoking points into transmission risk of COVID-19 and some powerful conclusions for mitigating the spread of the virus.

While the virus continues to dominate the airwaves, David also shares his reflections on the specific impact of COVID-19 on the tertiary sector and the public health systems in place which have helped Australia achieve an enviable position in the management of coronavirus across the globe.

The COVID-19 Insights series provides up-to-date analysis on the pandemic which is a viewing necessity for staff and students alike.

Part 1 – Australia and NSW

Part 2 – Global Trends

Part 3 – Testing, vaccines and immunity

Macquarie University researchers continue to provide expert opinion and research findings in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak. Here is a selection of recent stories.

Professor Jennie Hudson from the Centre for Emotional Health spoke to SBS News about how young people are struggling with social isolation during COVID-19.

Vincent Hurley from the Department of Security Studies and Criminology was featured on ABC’s The Drum regarding new police measures to enforce COVID-19 social distancing rules.

Associate Professor Matt Bower from the School of Education provided comment to the Sydney Morning Herald regarding schools’ use of video conferencing to teach children at home.

Professor Anand Deva from the Department of Clinical Medicine and Associate Professor Karen Vickery from the Department of Biomedical Sciences were featured in the Sydney Morning Herald regarding the importance of thorough cleaning and hygiene measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In The Lighthouse

Professor Nick Titov from Macquarie University’s MindSpot clinic explains how the clinic is helping thousands of Australians through the COVID crisis – and shares their top ten tips for coping.

Read story >>

Professor Amanda Barnier from the Department of Cognitive Science explores why COVID-19 might be triggering a ‘kindness pandemic’.

Read story >>

Dr Troy Sarina from the Macquarie Business School looks at how Australian companies and workers are ‘rebooting and reskilling’ to help replenish depleted supplies like hand sanitiser and face masks.

Read story >>