WHILE Bendigo has so far been spared the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many other parts of our state and nation have not.
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And while today's incredible story of our first identified case and his subsequent journey to recovery is inspiring, we must remain vigilant with what we do to, and try whatever we can to stymie the ongoing spread of this relentless, ruthless, highly contagious virus.
The near empty streets and shopping precincts across the region are testament to the fact that communities are taking the threat at its highest level.
While we hear unofficial reports of people flouting the lock-down rules, thankfully these are in the absolute minority.
This adherence to the absolute need to isolate is because we know what we must do, but also because of the considerable collateral damage this has inflicted on the lives of workers who have lost their jobs and business owners forced to shut their doors.
No loss though can ever match that of someone's death, and that's why we must remain vigilant, and strong.
Yesterday's update from the Prime Minister shows the government has settled into this effort to overcome the pandemic for the long haul.
We are being told this is more likely a six-month campaign.
While this might seem exaggerated or too negative, Mr Morrison is preparing us all for the worst, and like us, hoping for the best.
As he says, this virus writes its own rules.
And please, he says, stay at home.
Australia remains locked, at least for now, in a suppression phase of the virus, and although the virus spread may have slowed, our need to remain vigilant and aware, has never been greater.
The national cabinet is expanding its brief to look now at more commercial realities, and the need for a sensible, and sensitive approach to the vexed issue of how to manage leases when a tenant cannot pay.
Getting the balance right will be crucial - as it's been in everything.
Work it out, is the PM's advice - so that we all get through this, to the other side.