I write these words on Friday afternoon, March 20 around 2.16pm.
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I note carefully the date and time as things seems to gone by a blur these past few weeks,
Everything has changed thanks to COVID-19 and our lives are about to upended in ways we can barely begin to understand.
Lockdowns are in place in many places including large parts of Europe, California, Tasmania and even our own Burke Shire and the vulnerable Indigenous communities.
Norfolk Island, of personal interest because that's where my partner lives, has shut down just days after emerging from a dangerous category 2 cyclone.
That's particularly sad news for me as my holiday plans for next month have been torn up.
But I can't afford to get too self indulgent about my sorrow as many, many people here and across the world have had their plans and events cancelled.
The economic consequences of this and the new requirements of maximum numbers of people in non-essential gatherings will be extremely severe. Livelihoods will be in jeopardy.
And yet incredibly, this is only a second order issue.
Our first task is to survive COVID-19.
The rules of behaviour have not changed in the last week.
Practise hygiene. Wash your hands early and often.
Each time you go from place to place, wash your hands before and after.
Practise social distancing and self-isolation where possible.
Mount Isa and North West Queensland is used to isolation, now we must show others how it is done properly.
We must keep our sense of community - even if only virtually - and help each other along the hard road ahead.
It is natural to be afraid at this time, but we must rise to the challenge, stay strong and beat this thing.
We must look after each other - particularly the most vulnerable among us.
Check on your neighbours, talk to your family and friends.
We must keep hope.
We must show love.