BE PREPARED FOR FUTURE

THIS was written last night and by the time you read it this morning no doubt things will have changed markedly again regarding the coronavirus outbreak.

Now officially deemed a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation, it seems the situation globally and here on the Gold Coast is going to get worse before it gets better.

The city, as of yesterday, suddenly became home to the world’s most high-profile positive cases — movie royalty Tom Hanks along with his singing and acting wife Rita Wilson.

It has shut down the northern Gold Coast set of Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic as hundreds of cast and crew reflect on whether they have it, with even Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate’s daughter – who was working on the film – self-isolating.

The hits kept coming: US President Donald Trump banned inbound travel from Europe, Italy remained in lockdown, the NBA suspended its season after a positive player test and sharemarkets slumped.

It wasn’t all bad. China stated it was passed the peak of its outbreak.

And Gold Coasters are among the most bullish people in this country with Cr Tate confident long-term the city would ride it out while predictions from analysts are that the Gold Coast fundamentals are strong.

One confident power player told this paper when Hanks recovers – as have the previous handful of Coast cases so far – it will be only be good for the city.

Medical authorities and Health Minister Steven Miles assured the Queensland population the city was one of the best places in the world to be if you have contracted the virus, with world-class healthcare. Hanks and Wilson are in good hands as are the other three positive cases in the city currently in isolation.

The challenge now is to contain or slow the spread. Heed the advice, keep washing your hands and avoid touching your face.

Prepare as best you can and know you are in a part of the world that has first-class systems and staff to help you cope.