Let's agree that the world as we know it, is being turned on its head.

After such a start to 2020, I want to press the reset button and start again.

Without spelling out all the anguish, significant change and consequences of this health crisis, we are going to be forced as individuals and as a country, to fall back on our own resourcefulness.

Successive governments have overseen the depletion of the manufacturing industry that used to exist in Australia, and allowed it to be replaced with a heavy reliance on tourism, hospitality, and property investment to boost our financial coffers.

The current crisis and looming nationwide shut-downs are already affecting those very replacement industries.

We cannot continue to rely on service industries to provide the country's wealth - this crisis is the perfect example of how they cannot, on their own.

Individually, we're going to be forced to rely on our own initiatives and "make-do" - another radical thought.

Dramatic times call for assertive, creative action, some larger global companies are already changing their processes to produce medical and other supplies that are going to be needed.

Australia has the opportunity to re-invent our priorities now so that we aren't so heavily reliant on other countries to manufacture what we are so capable of producing ourselves.

Eileen McGhee, Miners Rest.

I totally agree with applying social distance, however no one has provided a workable and practical suggestion as to how this is applied when there is a need to travel on public transport.

As for V/Line velocity trains from Ballarat, it has been said, "as a result of lower passenger numbers", the number of carriages will be reduced from six to three because of maintenance and track issues.

'Would it not be better to retain the six carriage configuration and allow what traveling public there are to distance themselves throughout the six carriages?

Christopher Brice, Brown Hill.

The only bright spot on the horizon due to this pandemic, is that with tens of thousands of jet aircraft not flying and thousands of cars off the road, we should now see a reduction in greenhouse gases/global warming.

It was believed after 9/11, due to the fact that aircraft were grounded in America, the weather there changed.

As the grounding of aircraft this time is on a global scale, this should make a huge difference.

Only time will tell.

Keith Pitman, Alfredton.

I read with interest the front page article in the Ballarat Courier, Saturday 21 March, including the comment, "The City of Ballarat is limited by what it can do as a local government", ie, in its capacity to assist small businesses during the Covid 19 pandemic.

I would suggest that it might start by looking at the onerous commercial rates burden that is imposed on small businesses.

Immediate rates relief for small businesses would go a significant way to alleviating the financial stress that the Covid 19 pandemic is inflicting on businesses, enforcing temporary closures and the laying off of staff.

Reduce the commercial rates, which are, regrettably, and to this city's shame, one of Victoria's highest.

A rates moratorium during the Covid 19 crisis should be considered.

If the council does not consider these measures immediately, I think we really need to question how serious it is about saving small businesses.

Michelle Coxall, Napoleons

On March 2, I had a severe heart attack.

The ambulance arrived within minutes.

The paramedics were amazing and saved my life.

I was taken to BHS and straight into the operating theatre.

The amazing doctors fixed my heart and the care I received was 100%.

All of these health workers are angels.

Thank you to all at BHS.

Jim Nunn, Wendouree.

I left my car along the all day parking on Webster Street and went to work.

I returned to my car after work to find the side of my car badly scratched with no note in sight.

This is very irresponsible and inconsiderate behaviour, particularly during such challenging times.

Matilda Chew, Ballarat

Thank you, Caleb Cluff and The Courier for bringing a bit of sanity to the current situation.

If we all use reliable news sources for our information instead of social media, and if everyone buys just what they need, there will be enough for everyone and we will get through this.

Susan Scott, Kingston.

Thank you very much for your daily up-dates showing the specific locations where the virus is occurring.

It is most useful for the public to decide themselves to implement higher levels of precautions if it is developing in the local area than the Government recommends.

Charlie Bott, Red Hill.

I am a shoe-aholic and Polly Shoes has been the most amazing store.

The staff have been like family and their care and knowledge of their product is second to none.

I come from Horsham to Ballarat on a regular basis and never failed to visit the store and leave extremely happy with a new purchase.

It is so sad the store is closing but I would like to wish them all the best. May their futures be filled with new adventures and happiness.

Yvonne Harrison, Horsham.

The Creswick Road roundabout is impossible for pedestrians and mobility scooters to use. In general, the roundabouts in Ballarat are very unfriendly to pedestrians. Since they have been installed, traffic has increased, drivers are faster, more ruthless and few of them regard pedestrians as having the same right as a car driver to cross a road. Please rethink pedestrian access in Ballarat. Start with the Creswick Road roundabout.

Elizabeth Denny, Ballarat.

Melanie Whelan's wonderful story on Ballarat Football League's historian Wayne Hankin, March 21, is a timely reminder that the league's rich history must be retained at all costs.

Wayne's selfless lifetime dedication has resulted in what is now known as "The Hankin Papers", a thirty - two volume library on the BFL since the 1890's, which is housed at the MCC library at the MCG.

These volumes are available to all the general public upon request and are a must read for all Australian Rules Football followers.

Most BFL clubs are fortunate to have supporters who have had long time interests in their clubs' histories and it is important their efforts over many years have not been in vain or forgotten.

I urge the BFL to consider forming an historical type of committee for all interested clubs to bring together all relative information collectively before it is too late.

Stanley Roberts, Soldiers Hill.