Isolation diaries 17: Cleaning up the mess

By Andrew Johnston

Oct 18, 2020

It’s the worst damn day (it doesn’t hurt that much)Of my lifeI made a mess today (it doesn’t hurt that much)But I’m alright

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~ When I Was Young by Blink-182

THERE was always talk that the virus was going to pop up in clusters here and there.

It was inevitable.

But I don't think any of us were expecting what we saw in Shepparton last week.

We definitely weren't expecting a cluster in our own backyard.

But, due to the fact one person decided the rules don't apply to him, Shepparton had three cases on Tuesday.

It came at a terrible time - it was just days before Dan (Premier Daniel Andrews) announced changes for metro Melbourne's restrictions.

Suddenly there were eight between Mitchell Shire and Shepparton, all traced back to one man.

The arrogance of his behaviour was one thing, but to then not mention he had been to Shepparton until after cases were diagnosed, drives me nuts. It probably drives you nuts too.

Everyone is trying to move the needle forward, and for that to happen, we can't have one so-and-so going into business for themselves.

But, more so than us moving forward for the rest of our region, a city which is only a short drive from us had been put at risk.

The virus was alive in the community, and no-one had any idea how far it had spread.

And that created chaos.

But, a good, almost controlled chaos.

Every photo and video I saw was of people rushing out to get tested, to make sure - whether they were a close contact or had been to one of the venues or not - they weren't unknowingly spreading the virus.

For that, I have nothing but praise for our friends in Shepp.

They listened, they did the right thing.

They did what was going to look after the people around them, they made the sacrifices that needed to be made.

And the same goes for the surrounding communities, including here in Echuca, where people who had even the most tenuous links to the situation were getting in and being tested.

From what I've been told by friends in Shepp, with the exception of those who were actually in line getting tested, the city was quieter than usual under restrictions, which says people were listening and were getting tested.

People rallied and responded.

I love that.

It shows to me how even in the middle of crisis, people still care more about each other than themselves.

The city took the selfless option, and hopefully it works.

So far, so good.

At the time of writing, most of the tests from the initial day of testing had come back, and there were no more positive cases.

If anyone can get through this, it's the Goulburn Valley.

ISOLATION DIARIES

Isolation diaries 16: This life-like dream

Isolation diaries part 15: and now we wait

Isolation diaries part 14: The end of the line

Isolation diaries part 13: It’s a beautiful day