It's only been a few weeks of a stint working at home most of us expect to last for up to six months.
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If that's the price we have to pay to rid our society of COVID-19, then so be it.
The original request to work from home has gradually ramped up to the always anticipated Stage Three lockdown that now has most of the community either working remotely, or sadly, not at all.
As the restrictions tightened, particularly this past week or so, there's been a cascade of business closure announcements, one after another, and each of them equally heartbreaking to watch.
It's a not so insignificant price to pay to be able to one day again see the people we love, and the people we miss.
To be able to enjoy a meal in a restaurant with family, celebrate a special anniversary or just have the freedom to go outside.
I miss my work colleagues, and the chance to talk about anything other than the news.
The puns, the office footy tips, the exchanges and nurturing of story ideas and the appreciation for what everyone is doing does not translate anywhere near as well virtually.
I especially miss absent family, and I miss my mates.
For me it's mostly the small group I ride with - but not as often as they all ride together.
Catching up is equally clunky on a chat, but I guess that has to do for the time being.
The coffee shop conversations and Friday night beers will have to wait for now.
But like a lot of Bendigo, a lot of Australia, and probably the world, I'm already starting to think about how we celebrate when this is all over.
It is going to be one heck of a party...
This past week, our Addy photographers have captured some stunning images of Bendigo business people trying to go about their everyday lives in such extraordinary times.
The resilience and commitment of these traders is to be commended, and we look forward to the better times that will come, knowing they have earned their share of future success.
The many closed shops and the near vacant CBD shows people have largely listened to the message to stay home.
The flurry of announcements from the Prime Minister and Premier Daniel Andrews each day have been intense to watch.
Thankfully, it's not every day a PM announces the details of a $130 billion stimulus package, but on this occasion, it was both welcome and sadly, so desperately needed.