Cold meals, minimal human contact, a lack of information and slim access to medications have been a huge part of being quarantined in a Sydney hotel for Mick Morley and Michael Campbell.
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The men are undergoing their last few days of mandatory quarantine after having been stuck in West Africa for almost a month.
Mark and Michael travelled to Senegal, Africa, for Mark's 50th birthday before the coronavirus was emerging as a worldwide crisis.
"We were lucky. Because I need certain epilepsy medicine that I couldn't get there we were able to get a flight to France," Mark said.
"You're escorted straight from the plane to a bus which then takes you to a hotel and you're each made to go into your own room.
"I was lucky, I got a balcony so I can at least go out and get some fresh air.
"Mick hasn't even got a balcony.
"It's a bit harder than you would think. When you're sick at home and you're stuck in your room you can still go for a walk to your kitchen. We can't even do that, we're not allowed out of our rooms. Your meals are always cold so everyone has been paying for orders and your families are expected to do everything like organise medications."
Mark said despite the difficulties he's thankful to the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Air Force and the police.
"It hasn't been enjoyable, but as hard it's been the army and airforce blokes and the police have been really good," he said.
"There's been a huge amount of arguments and the police done well to diffuse them.
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"We've got young army and airforce blokes helping, they've been acting like gofers. As soon as a warm meal comes in they grab it and run it straight up to the room. It would have been really hard without the army and the airforce blokes helping. The army blokes and the police have really put their heads down and their arse up. They've been made it a hell of a lot easier for people. They've copped a lot of abuse that they really didn't need to and they've been really good about it."
Mark said both he and Michael are outdoor sort of blokes, which has made it hard being confined to a room. "I've been speaking to my six sons and my wife on Facetime and I talk to my neighbour from my balcony. I've come to know quite a lot about him."
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Taylor Dodge
Your story matters, your voice deserves to be heard and I would love to help you share it. I have five years of experience as a Journalist with Australian Community Media covering an array of topics, with a key focus on breaking news and crime and a passion for people. E: taylor.dodge@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
Your story matters, your voice deserves to be heard and I would love to help you share it. I have five years of experience as a Journalist with Australian Community Media covering an array of topics, with a key focus on breaking news and crime and a passion for people. E: taylor.dodge@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
