SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
‘Covid normal’ a step closer
Molly (centre) with siblings Darcey, 4, and Jack, 7. (Damjan Janevski) 215491_02
Walking for a cause By Jessica Micallef Molly had no ordinary start to life. In 2013, at just two-years-old, Molly was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer that is rare among children, according to her mum Kristen Johnson. “In that particular year, I think she was only the seventh case that was diagnosed with that cancer so there aren’t many cases of that particular cancer,” she said. “It was like I was hit by truck, when I heard the news. I was very naive to it all. “Unless you go through it, you don’t really know what to expect.” Following her diagnosis, Molly endured
nearly a year of chemotherapy and underwent surgery to remove one of her ribs where the tumor was. “The tumor came through between her ninth and tenth rib so the ninth rib was removed and the eight rib was separated,” Ms Johnson said. “She hated chemotherapy. It was the most traumatic thing for her, and us as well. “It was quite hard to take.” Molly, now 8, has been in remission for six years. “There is always going to be that risk that the cancer could return, but she’s doing really well,” Ms Johnson said. This year, the Riddells Creek family is taking part in Camp Quality’s Big Walk for Little Kids event, a walking challenge to help raise money
to support children with cancer. Ms Johnson said she wanted to give back to the charity that supported her family during Molly’s 12-month cancer battle. “They host functions to let the kids forget about the treatment and when you go to these functions, every kid is the same,” she said. “It was good for Molly. Being only two-years-old at the time, she had no hair and other kids, being so innocent, would always ask her why she didn’t have any hair. “So when she went to the functions, everyone was like her and she really appreciated it. “She can still go to the functions and she often tells the kids ‘I survived, so can you’.” To donate: bit.ly/33yNL4o
Macedon Ranges residents have moved another step closer to a “covid normal” way of life. Lower virus case numbers allowed regional Victoria to enter the third step to reopening last week. There are no restrictions on the reasons to leave home and a maximum of 10 people can meet outdoors. Face coverings are mandatory and residents are encouraged to continue social distancing when out and about. “Household bubbles” are now permitted, where residents can choose another household to visit, with up to five visitors at once. Cafes, restaurants and bars can resume in-store dining with a maximum of 10 patrons per four-square metres, and outdoor dining is capped to 50 patrons per two-square metres. All beauty services can resume where a face covering can be worn during the duration of the service and private house inspections can resume by appointment only. Outdoor auctions are subject to the 10 person gathering limit. Tourism accommodation sites, including campsites, hotels and airbnbs, in regional Victoria can reopen. Outdoor religious gatherings of up to 10 people, can occur. Weddings can be conducted with up to 10 people, while funerals can have up to 20 people. Outdoor contact and non-contact sport for people aged 18 and younger and outdoor non-contact sport for adults can resume. Skateparks can also reopen. Premier Daniel Andrews said regional Victorians had done a “mighty job” to get case numbers down. “I am so pleased and proud of every single regional Victorian who has stayed the course, followed the rules [and] got tested.” As of Sunday, there were two active cases of the virus in the Macedon Ranges. In Hume, there were 56 active cases. Stage four restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne are expected to be relaxed on September 28, subject to public health advice and if average daily cases are 30-50 over the previous 14 days. Jessica Micallef
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