We had adopted some new rules for life with social distancing and elbow bumps instead of handshakes and hugs. Many businesses were grateful to still be in operation, while others were hopeful that their time would soon come to re-open.

Sadly lives were lost, some businesses struggled to survive, and many people were indefinitely separated from loved ones who lived in other states and countries. For many this problem still exists.

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But as we eased out of restrictions we embraced new hope. Meanwhile, a continued easing of restrictions and the return to near 'normal' within our own Australian bubble had us feeling more relaxed and positive about the future. We have even had the opportunity to travel interstate - sometimes.

But since that first extended lockdown, there have been several more lockdowns and restrictions come and go. Victoria has felt this the most, but closer to home we cannot forget the Northern Beaches lockdown and restrictions over the summer period.

There have also been concerns about potential covid infection sites as people move about more freely. This recently hit home in Goulburn and Jervis Bay with a family on holidays from Victoria testing positive. Furthermore, these cases were identified as the more contagious Delta variant of the virus.

Now there are several cases linked to a new outbreak in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney. As a consequence, positive cases have been noted to have visited sites in Wollongong, Shellharbour and the ACT.

Advancement in the management of the virus including contact tracing and the introduction of QR codes to keep track of the movements of people, have become the frontline of defence. These measures have helped stave off further major lockdowns - hopefully - as well as limit the spread of the virus and instill business confidence.

However, while it may well sound like something of a cliche these days, it seems blatantly apparent to me that we need to learn to live with this virus. While it is our government at both state and federal levels tasked with the main management responsibility, we as individuals can also do our part.

With this in mind we need to adopt and embrace the measures that helped us reduce the impact of covid in this country in the first place.

Social distance, regular hand washing, staying at home when we are unwell and registering with the QR codes when we enter businesses need to be a consistent part of our new way of life. We also need to step up for testing whenever the need arises.

Meanwhile, pulling on that face mask on public transport and in areas where there are lots of people - especially when there has been an outbreak - is far less of a burden than the restrictions that could return in the case of a super spreading event.

Quite frankly such measures have greater benefits than just helping to combat covid. I note that I haven't been sick since the start of the pandemic. I'm happy to continue living with that consequence and so I will continue to embrace these new rules for life.

What about you?

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