DOING THE RIGHT THING

IT almost feels like life is on a trajectory back towards something resembling ‘normal’.

Homeschooling is over and the Gold Coast’s classrooms will again be bustling as all remaining school students return after two months in COVID-19 limbo.

For stressed-out parents who have had to contend with work and helping to educate their progeny, it is a moment of great relief, while returning to a regular schedule will give kids a much-needed taste of life before coronavirus.

And it’s not just schools – Bond University will reopen to students this morning. Today is a milestone without doubt. But of course things are not normal, nor will they be as the spectre of COVID-19, the invisible bete noire of society, continues to hang over the world.

Despite being the initial epicentre of the Queensland outbreak in January, the Gold Coast has done itself proud, with residents getting behind social distancing measures, even when it meant not being able to go to the beach.

Despite a few notable speed bumps, this commendable esprit de corps has carried the city through its toughest months and will hold us in good stead with the tough months ahead as a recession and further economic gloom looms.

It’s easy to feel complacent but at times like this it is more important than ever to remember to continue with social distancing, keep washing your hands, avoid touching your face if possible and download the COVIDSafe app.

These easy steps will help prevent a backslide to the tough days of March and April and ensure life as we know it continues out of this valley of darkness and back to something approaching normal.

Business leaders will no doubt this week look forward to speaking with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk about the road map ahead and when borders will reopen and tourists will return to our great metropolis and kickstart our economic recovery.