Kevin Milne has been volunteering for charity organisation Meals on Wheels for over 20 years, but like many of their volunteers, his manager has told him to stay at home.
"I like to go out on little trips on our $2.50 opal card, but my daughter says to me, Dad, you can't do that," Kevin told The Feed.
The volunteer base at Meals on Wheels skews older, with more than half over the age of 70.
Kevin is 82, and he falls into that category but the drop in volunteer numbers hasn't meant a shortage of people willing to assist.
Kevin Milne staying home during the coronavirus. Source: The Feed
In recent weeks demand has risen. In South Australia, more than twice as many people than usual have registered, while in New South Wales they have been delivering more than half as many meals into the community.
Former hospitality worker Sarah Davies is one of a number of young people trying to bridge the gap of volunteers lost to the charity.
"I had a job like a couple of weeks ago, I was working at an RSL," she told The Feed.
But a friend sent her a message about the shortage of volunteers at Meals on Wheels, and the next week she says she was starting in the kitchen.
"This kitchen is the most hygienic kitchen I've ever worked in. There are light crosses on the floor and that's your designated cross," she said.
Meals on Wheels young recruit Sarah Davies. Source: The Feed
These crosses signal the social distancing measures Meals on Wheels are making during this time. They don't scare Sarah, because she says as long as everyone knows it's weird then it's normal.
"Because we all remember what normal was, and we'll get back there as long as we keep remembering that this is weird," she said.
"We're all in this together, don't touch my hands sort of thing."
Sarah says she thinks about her grandparents the most during a time like this, but in terms of needing supplies, she says her grandfather is the master hoarder.
"My Jido, my Lebanese grandfather, since he was young, always had this like mentality to like, have a little bit of a stockpile for if anything did happen to go wrong," she said.
"He is so validated right now. He is like I don't even need to go to the shops, this is a shop."
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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