A spokesperson from the Northern NSW Local Health District has confirmed that the status quo still exists not just for Lismore but for the northern health district itself.

That is 5 confirmed cases of COVID 19 but nothing new since March 31, one month ago, and no new cases in the health district since April 18.

In fact, there were only two (2) new confirmed cases in the entire state of NSW in the last 24 hours. If we take a look around the country we see a similar pattern with W.A., S.A., Qld, ACT and NT all recording 0 cases, some are in their seventh day or longer. Victoria is the only state lagging with 7 new cases in the last 24 hours while Tasmania has 1 new case.

Those are the statistics that give us hope. Hope that we will begin to see an easing of restrictions if we continue to behave responsibly during the first week of personal visits to another house. From tomorrow May 1, 2 adults and their children can visit another house while still practicing social distancing. A small win that feels like we have all won lotto.

From Monday May 11, school students will be encouraged to go physically go back to their classrooms for face to face teaching on a rotational basis. This is believed to be one day a week but is to confirmed by each individual school.

Just to give you more hope, the Northern Territory government is letting people use public swimming pools, waterparks, and go fishing with friends as well as unlimited attendees at weddings and funerals. Then from May 15, the rewards are even bigger with people being able to go back to the gym, borrow a book from a public library, get their nails done or dine at a restaurant or cafe.

That is the result of three (3) weeks with zero new cases. That in itself should be motivation for all of us to continue to do the right thing and dream of a normal life again.