LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Joanne McRae's experience during COVID-19

I am the only woman on council, and with support from Australian Local Government Women's Association, I have been encouraging other women to consider standing in September 2020.

I feel really sad to see the enthusiasm and hard work of potential councillors and supporters paused.

A few weeks ago I noticed how my community was beginning to struggle with COVID-19.

So from March 18, I started doing short morning Facebook-live videos to provide a different focus each weekday - something generally positive, or interesting, things like checking on your neighbours, how to support local businesses, asking kids for input, or just reminding people of different ways to stay in touch, or where to get reliable information on COVID-19.

It was a good way for me to focus myself for the start of each day.

I've had some nice feedback, but I'm not sure how long I can sustain this positivity.

I feel increasingly isolated as the only woman on council.

The visual reinforcement is hard to avoid; we have held our first virtual meeting of councillors and staff.

Being the only female face on a screen of 14 boxes made me feel really insignificant.

Close-ups of moustaches and bald heads on small screens doesn't help.

I feel guilty that as councillor I am still receiving the usual allowance, although the majority of our active work has disappeared - no community committees, no meetings, and no events to attend.

I have asked via our chief executive officer whether councillors could opt for fees to go to casual staff with reduced hours, or contribute these funds back to council projects in some way, but I haven't had a reply.

I have started donating my $400 per week to local charities.

I feel like it's doing more good going back to the community, as so many people in our community are under stress. So far I have focused on local FoodCare and Domestic Violence services.

It helps me feel like I'm doing something to assist others - I still have a day job, and I'm okay.

As my day job, I run a GP medical practice; my Dad is a long-serving GP.

I'm at work more than I have ever been - I worked 24 days straight but a week or so ago I burst into tears and realised I needed a break.

It was nice when I was able to have a whole day off.

Our team of receptionists, nurses and doctors are working very well together, adjusting to changes in their workplace conditions, managing patients and adapting to frequent changes in Medicare and government regulations.

We are incredibly busy - busier than usual.

We have been struggling to get the basic supplies we need to work safely - PPE, hand sanitizer, handwash, paper towel and toilet paper have been difficult to source.

I am really worried about my team getting sick, and I worry about how I can best protect them from COVID-19.

I'm receiving regular updates from NSW Health, the AMA, RACGP, Primary Health Network about COVID-19, impacts and preparedness - many daily emails.

I've been spending up to 10 hours a day on reception answering phones, as well as my normal business management role which is usually behind the scenes, and also trying to chase up basic supplies to keep our doors open.

I've lost four kilograms in the last three weeks, probably due to stress.

My wife works for health, and she is involved in daily meetings regarding infection control, as well as overall district updates.

In our home it is hard to get away from COVID-19 preparedness, government responses or worst-case fears for our parents and family members who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.

I am trying to walk our two young puppies regularly to give me exercise and get some fresh air and sunshine.

Usually I can juggle work around council commitments, and I have generally prioritised council matters as an elected community representative.

At the moment, work is extremely demanding and is where I need to devote my time and energy to have an impact.

It is fortunate that council is less demanding of my time at the moment, but also frustrating that I am not listened to by my peers when we do meet.

I feel I am well-informed, yet my opinions don't seem to hold any weight amongst most of my fellow councillors.

It is very frustrating to not feel heard.

I admit, I am really struggling as an elected community leader during this pandemic.

I am not 'locked down' at home, because I run a business which is on the frontline of health care.

I am doing the best I can to keep my staff safe, look after our patients and be responsive and flexible in changing times.

I am trying to remain positive and give confidence to the community I am a part of, and keep up my civic leader responsibilities as best I can.

It's tough.