While times like these often draw a community together, they also mean those in far flung places can seem even further away.

That's certainly been the case for me this week.

My parents are anchored to the ground they've cultivated for the past 120 or so years, and where they raised my five siblings and I.

For what it's worth, they are probably in a pretty good spot to see this ongoing and ever-changing scenario out.

They are more than 30 kilometres from the nearest town, with plenty of food and water, and a couple of loyal farm dogs to keep them company.

Fresh air and the wide open spaces have never held so much appeal.

I've found myself looking back over old photos of that magnificent country this past week or so, knowing it might not be a super smart move to try and get back there to visit the folks any time soon.

Mother's Day might be a bit different this year for a lot of mums who may have been used to having multiple generations of family come and visit.

Remember that, when the time comes.

We can, and must continue to practice safe social distancing, but sadly, some contacts and visits might be best deferred for a while.

That's not to sound alarmist, but in my circumstance, it's both practical and prudent.

The traditional tour of the farm in the ute and the climb to the highest hill at the corner of our property where we can see for miles and miles will have to wait.

My older brother lives in Rome, where he works as a catholic priest.

His community has been in lockdown for some time, and his commentary on the family chat page about life in a country that's now an epicentre for this virus has been eye opening, to say the least.

First and foremost, there's plenty of toilet paper.

And there's a fascination from afar as to why and how this become a thing here in Australia.

The panic buying and selfishness that has marked the reaction of a number of Australians as this crisis continues to unfold was rightly described by the prime minister this week as a lowlight.

And as for the reports of busloads of pathetic shoppers who have taken to raiding smaller supermarkets and stores in rural communities in a panic-inspired buying frenzy... there are no words.

Back in Italy, public mass was banned in the predominately Catholic country a while ago, and lockdown means any non-essential travel is banned.

You can walk the dog, duck outside for a ciggie or to visit the supermarket, but there's not a lot of other options available that override the harsh penalties that apply for any breach.

Italy clearly has a long way to go before it emerges from the pandemic.

Closer to home, this week's announcement that Mass will no longer be public in Victoria , and that the traditional Easter religious services have been cancelled will also be upsetting for a lot of churchgoers.

Many of these people enjoy not just the opportunity to practice their faith, but also the community they are part of within their parish and congregation.

The breakdown of some of these important social mechanisms can easily have a more dramatic impact on older people who have for so long taken great comfort in their church.

Those conversations and cuppas with long-time friends and family after services have long concluded are a big part of some people's lives.

If you know someone who might fit this category, give them a call, or a friendly wave over the fence.

Social isolation should not be allowed to fester and become a factor in all of this.

It's been encouraging to see the momentum shift as the week dragged on and more and more community groups take the running on delivering support and comfort to others.

We may well have seen some of the worst behaviour, but on a positive note, the best is yet to come.

And that momentum to do more, to help more, will only grow in coming days and weeks.

It's time that true Aussie spirit came to the fore, for two main reasons.

Firstly, because it should and in times like these, doing what we can to help one another has never been more important.

And secondly, we owe it to ourselves to prove we are a better nation than one that squabbles over packs of three-ply toilet paper.