Wow - from 30/03/20

 The impact(s) of the virus is (really) beginning to bite - social distancing, reduction in crowds, working from home, earlier start of school holidays, etc.

The effects are very obvious, e.g. the streets are depopulated, no trouble getting a seat on trains and accessing government services is so much easier.

Indeed, the fear is pervasive. From the top down, the message is 'We are really worried. But do not panic'. All tiers of government are providing services & assistance.

But there are discontinuities in the messages delivered or assistance provided:

Commonwealth is providing financial assistance, aiding applications for social security & providing clear, unambiguous health messages;

States are providing varying levels & types of assistance, e.g. Victoria is offering food packages delivered & Queensland is offering low interest loans. But, the aid offered is quite variable & it is unclear whether what is offered in one state will be reciprocated or even offered in another state; and,

Local government, if mine is of any guidance, is erring on the side of extreme precautions, with the closure of all public facilities, whether libraries, pools or a BBQ - all these before the extreme measures were decided by the Commonwealth!

It is unclear what the effect(s) of social isolation will be.

Am trying to contact people, to reach out & provide some assurance. But not always successfully - TB says she is anxious, yet when I follow through, I get a message saying that she is participating in a 'deliberative democracy' online forum.

For some people, the lack of immediate contact is what will try them the most.

Even with exercising, there is a lack of consideration of the risk to/from other people. It seems that more people are out walking/jogging - although, could be that I am just noticing more? Riding the other day & it was noticeable how many people still rode with other people and/or in close proximity to them.

Simon feels that this is against the 'stay at home' rules. Yet, it ignores the need to exercise and to get out the house, to actually do something. It also seems not to be against his views to go shopping together - to be in close proximity in the car, for example.