American political strategist David Axelrod once famously told President Obama that "hard things are hard".

Eliza thinks Axelrod's blunt advice is useful when it comes to preparing for COVID-19.

She's starting to plan for a future where coronavirus and all the associated disruptions become the new normal. That process of change and adaptation is hard - but then everyone's finding it a challenge.

Geraldine is forcing herself to put down COVID-related news and pick up a novel instead.

Also this week: Sydney's terrific urban renewal project. Eliza and her Mum also clash over Sydney's new casino building.

Thanks for listening! Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email ldcpodcast1@gmail.com

Quarantine Fatigue is Real – The Atlantic https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/quarantine-fatigue-real-and-shaming-people-wont-help/611482/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share

“Live and Let Die” Pod Save America https://crooked.com/podcast/live-and-let-die/

Spies of No Country – Matti Friedman https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/22/books/review/matti-friedman-spies-of-no-country.html

The Actress - Anne Enright https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/feb/16/actress-anne-enright-review

The Risks – Erin Bromage blog https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20200511&instance_id=18384&nl=the-morning®i_id=54329852&segment_id=27239&te=1&user_id=c6fb1f77a7859a745553352acef7d6b8

How America’s First Known Coronavirus Patient Recovered- Frontline PBS America https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/how-americas-first-known-coronavirus-patient-recovered/