Me. Some Homeless Guy. Versus Covid-19

I hate it when my stomach growls in company.

But it’s been 4 days since my last feed.

I’m starting to get tetchy.

Something’s not right.

Ted doesn’t know what’s going on either.

Sheila and her mates in the Rosies van are always here.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday night.

7:30 on the dot.

Right here in the carpark at the corner of Turbot and Roma Street.

It’s 7:45 and the suns almost set.

There’s no van. No Sheila. No sandwiches. No cup of tea.

The others are turning up now.

No-one knows what’s going on.

Maybe they had a breakdown.

Two nights in a row though?

Anyone got a phone? Check Rosies Facebook?

No-ones got a phone with credit.

‘Scuse me mate — can I borrow your phone?

No need to be rude.

Asshole.

‘Scuse me mate — can I ..

‘Scuse me mate — can I borrow ..

‘Scuse me ..

‘Scuse me mate — can I borrow your phone?

Finally.

Thanks mate. Won’t be a minute.

‘Suspended due to Covid-19’

What the fuck is Covid-19?

Not under a rock mate, sleeping under the stars. What is it?

What’s a pandemic?

Shit eh?

Ted shuffles uneasily. Asks if this guy has a spare ciggie.

What’dya mean ‘at risk’? Smokers are at risk?

Ted rolls his eyes. We tend to be at risk of everything.

This guy hasn’t asked for his phone back yet.

He’s not looking that uncomfortable either.

Turns out he ran away from an abusive mum when he was a kid. Slept rough for years til he straightened out.

Asks if I need to phone to call anyone.

Who the fuck would I call?

Oh, the services listed in Rosie’s post.

Lifeline. Mensline. Help line. Lots of lines.

Been there. Stood in em all.

“Please take a moment to reflect and pray the Rosies prayer — thinking of our friends in need during this difficult and challenging time”?

Sure, the volunteers are probably scared of catching this Covid-19 thing.

They’ve made the right decision.

But I don’t reckon prayers gonna do me or Teddie much good.

What’s that mate? We shouldn’t gather? What do you mean?

Social distancing? To stop the spread of the virus. Oh. OK.

All well and good. We only see each other when we come down for the food van.

It’s only a couple of nights a week.

Sometimes they have the van with the shower in it.

It’s nice to have a shower every now and then.

Been at least a week since I had a shower.

‘Spose there’s no problem of us gathering if there’s no vans to gather for.

Any other tips you got before you head off mate?

Wash our hands for 20 seconds as often as we can?

Righto.

Anything serious tips you got? Where can we get a feed?

He hands me a twenty.

Mighty kind. Thanks mate. I’ll grab something at the 7–11.

What d’ya mean they’re been cleaned out? I didn’t hear no sirens.

Not robbed? How are they cleaned out?

Panic buying?

Fuck. I thought we lived in the civilised world.

The others have started to drift away. Ted’s told them the bad news.

No feed tonight. Maybe not this Friday either.

At least it’s not raining tonight. Our swags are dry even if our guts are empty.

I watch the last of the office workers making their way to the train station.

Come to think of it, there’ve been a lot less of them this week.

Couldn’t figure out why.

And I know this patch well. Too well.

Ted and I both ended up here after similar kinds of accidents.

He lost his job as a chef; couldn’t go back to standing all day.

Lost it all.

I wasn’t allowed back on a building site with my knee as it is.

Didn’t have much to lose. But it all went.

If we had the food, he could cook it.

Heck, if there was an odd job going, one of us might even be able to take it.

Earn some cash. Buy some food.

There’s no fucking jobs.

Just this Covid-19 and lots of shit-scared folk.

My mate heads off to catch his bus.

I shout another thanks at him.

He waves as he puts on a face mask.

You know what? I’ve seen a lot more than usual of them recently.

Come on Teddy, I’ll shout us some Maccas.

Could be the last feed we have in a while, so let’s see what we can wrangle out of them.

The van?

No, they’re not coming Ted.

I don’t know. Their Facebook post said people should pray for us.

Yeah, it’s comforting to know we’re in their thoughts and prayers.

Personal note:

I work for a homeless charity, compiling information to help people in need find emergency food and shelter.

Today an email announced a large number of emergency food providers were ceasing services for the near future in response to Covid-19.

I hold no ill will towards these people who are looking after the health and safety of their staff. They had a tough decision to make.

The vast majority of those who help are volunteers, and a lot are older. They need protection.

It just made me grateful that even though times are tough, I’ve still got a roof over my head.

There are hundreds of thousands out there right now who have nothing.

No shelter.

No food.

And now, the friends who regularly gave them a helping hand are being forced to stay indoors.

I don’t have a solution.

I just wanted to help you understand what they are going through.

Please consider donating to your local food bank charity.