Last week The Courier summoned up the succinct understatement of the British people from the era of the Blitz to exhort against the excesses of the toilet paper frenzy; Keep calm and carry on.
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With the widespread cancellation of major events across Victoria, it must seem like we are suffering our own blitz with the repercussions for all the dependent business being felt far and wide. This enormous roll on impact is probably only just beginning but despite the fears, we can do something about it.
It is worth distinguishing two elements in this crisis, one is the pandemic itself; a very serious condition that not only has a soaring global death rate but has already exposed some high-risk groups in the community including the elderly and the immune compromised.
But it is also worthwhile to separate out the impact of this pandemic and the impact of the fear and anxiety that it has, and will go on, generating.
The former demands necessary precautions to minimise the risks of contagion but we must delineate between these methodical and sensible steps and the panic self-preservation all too easily generates.
The health advice, experts have been trying to get out there for several weeks, is clear.
Firstly, anybody with a cold or flu-like symptoms does not necessarily have the virus and should simply follow the steps the health department recommends; call the hotline but don't rush off to the fever clinic and hamper health professionals who have more urgent cases to treat than a sniffle.
Secondly, caution and self-isolation are important parts of the plan for containment but that doesn't mean blind panic and to suddenly cease carrying out everyday rituals, visits and plans that are low risk.
Only five in every million have the confirmed condition in Victoria as of yesterday. The high risk categories remain the same; travel and contact.
According to health experts, demonstrable contact with a confirmed case means 15 minutes face to face or two hours in a confined space. In addition, health professionals have stressed 80 per cent of those who contract the disease will not need hospital treatment and only experience mild symptoms.
The list of those who have recovered grows daily.
Most of all think about all those out there in our community who might be relying on you; the retailers, cafes, schools and clubs that pose little or no risk.
Fear could be our greatest enemy.