We need the shutdown and strict physical distancing, obsessive hand washing and absolutely no touching your face, mouth, eyes etc. when out in public.

Outside shoes should stay outside, and wash hands first thing on getting back home.

We also disinfect the front door and handles, plus car keys, and take care with anything brought back into the home before storing it.

You want your home clean, not potentially contaminated. And treat your car as potentially contaminated.

If you have symptoms, phone a doctor, hospital or the fever clinic and don't just turn up.

There have been headlines that Australia has got past the worst danger, but not to be complacent.

By all accounts this virus is not only very infectious but also very stealthy ... spreading even from people who aren't yet showing symptoms.

We've had community-transmitted cases locally so the virus is here, and you shouldn't imagine otherwise.

Australia has done an overall great job to date, and there's more good planning in progress to deal with infection outbreaks.

But to really get past this we also need massive testing - both to find people who are infected even without knowing it, and to find those who've had the virus without knowing.

In the first case, strict isolation is essential, plus tracing and testing their contacts.

In the second case, the hope is that such people will now be carrying antibodies and Covid-19 immunity.

The stories from many parts of the world are horrifying, and likely to get worse. Scientists everywhere are working together to find treatments.

Right now our job is to stay put and keep safe, so the country can keep infections low and deal with the localised outbreaks that will occur.

Wash your hands. Know you are loved.

Cr Intemann's stories from a civic heart are her opinions and not necessarily council's