OPINION: Community sacrifices not unnoticed

Several things have become apparent in the past few weeks.

Our society has an obsession with toilet paper and flour, we don’t all agree on where we want our students during the day in a crisis like this and, most importantly, people from WA can rise to a challenge.

Not any old challenge but the biggest our planet has faced in more than a century.

We have seen a huge upheaval in our communities, with massive job losses and restrictions placed on our movements and whereabouts.

Yes we have had a minority of people that have adopted a selfish, “I’m al l right Jack” attitude and some have been caught out and punished.

But what I have observed as a member of the education, church and media community is people going above and beyond, doing things that have been “advised” but not imposed, taking sensible advice and following it to the best of their abilities.

For now the Government has not imposed a full lockdown, requiring people to stay indoors by law.

This is a huge measure with a multitude of implications — hence why the Government has held back.

However, most people, (about 80 per cent) have isolated themselves and their families at home, only leaving them for the absolute necessities..

Some have voluntarily shut their family businesses, have taken leave unpaid and have pulled their own children from school.

I cannot thank these people enough. Their sacrifice may be the reason the cases of this horrible virus and slowing down.

If we are to survive this we will have our community to thank.

I do not envy the State or Federal governments’ role in this, the decisions they are making are often thankless and present their own issues.

I do applaud Darren West MLC and others for keeping our region updated and for keeping a level head.

My hat goes off to our City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn.

I believe his character and steely determination is what we need in our local community right now.

Above all my heart and admiration goes to members of the public, for your sacrifice, your grit and valour.

Thank you from the bottom of this Pom in Oz’s heart.