The Port News is asking locals to share how they are adapting to changes and life amid the worldwide COVID-19 health crisis.

The young eco-enthusiast is a current year eight student at St Joseph's Regional College Port Macquarie. He has attended numerous rubbish clean ups with community group, Coastal Warriors Mid North Coast and Clean Up Australia Day events.

The 14-year-old also launched a reusable bag swap in Port Macquarie at supermarkets in 2019.

How are you coping with working and managing other commitments without leaving your house on a regular basis?

Cooper said he's adjusting into a routine of schoolwork at home.

"I'm coping okay with it, although without your friends it can be a bit boring being stuck in the house all day," he said. It's easier because we all know the have school work that we need to finish.

"Dad and I have also been going to Pelican Island and rivers to do rubbish clean ups on the stand up paddleboards. It's a bit like Coastal Warriors events but just with less people.

"When we last went out to Pelican Island (March 6) there wasn't as much rubbish there as usual. I think the environment is changing and people being isolated in their homes is giving nature a chance to bounce back."

Who is the person you are spending majority of your time with now? How are the relationship/s holding up?

The teenager said he is spending the majority of time with his parents and talking with friends.

"I'm been spending a lot of time with my mum and day. I'm spending a way more time with them now because I would normally be riding my bike through town on the weekends," he said.

"Spending more time with my parents is good but it definitely feels weird to be spending so much more time together because of the lockdown."

What do you miss most about not being able to be out and about anymore?

Cooper said he misses the days of catching up with friends and wandering around the Port Macquarie CBD.

"I miss most the days of going to the beach or hanging out with my friends in town," he said.

"We would normally go to the jetty and jump off, or walk around town or go to the breakwall."

What are your top three tips for keeping sane during this time?

"I think people should do the things they have been wanting to do for a while, it could be one of your hobbies or a project that's been standing idle for a while," said Cooper.

"Another one could be using this chance to socialise with your family more. People may not have had that chance before because they were hanging out with friends prior to the lockdown.

"Last one would be to help the household by maybe doing chores, things that haven't been done for a while or just make a garden if you've been wanting to do that."

Is there anything you believe our community could be doing better during this time?

Cooper said now is the time for people to make a small but valuable combined effort to help the environment.

"I'd recommend that when people go for their daily walk they could just pick up some rubbish on the way. A little bit or a lot," he said.

What are the greatest changes you would like to see when we all come out the other side?

"I'd like to see a lot more reduction of rubbish especially around town and I think with the absence of people around town at the moment that could actually work." he said.

What else is making news, sport?

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