Hopeful signs

Descending into Matcham Valley this morning

Although the Australian government hasn't explicitly said so, there seems to be a good chance that COVID-19 can be virtually eliminated within Australia.  This may not be a matter of weeks, because there has to be a good chance that winter, and the usual ills it brings, will make community transmission easier.  However, by the end of winter, with good testing, tracking and isolation (to steal the government's mantra), it's feasible that any outbreaks will be quickly and effectively controlled.

In this environment, many activities, perhaps apart from mass gatherings, could resume subject to certain conditions.  Life could get back to a semblance of "normal".  There is even talk that travel between Australia and New Zealand could resume while they each prohibit travel to other international destinations.  Sure, it could be much longer (probably after an effective vaccine is deployed) before we can freely travel to and from other countries.  However, having the ability to socialise, resume many business and education activities, and travel internally again will make life much better.

Erina Valley this morning

My 14.8km run through the Matcham and Erina Valleys this morning was the first time for a long time that I felt like a runner.  Granted, it was perfect running weather -- cool and clear -- but my back was much improved and I was travelling more freely, though still limited in my range of movement.  I didn't push it, but was faster than my recent average and wasn't exhausted by the end.  One swallow does not a summer make, but it was a good sign of progress, and I was on a high during my usual cool-down walk along the beachfront.