The news two Sydney patrons at the Batemans Soldiers Club and the Easts holiday park on Wharf Road had tested positive to COVID-19 was a blow.
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That six others associated with the club subsequently tested positive, including a staff member who was a local resident, was exactly the follow-up story nobody wanted to write or read.
The Eurobodalla Shire did so well holding our COVID-19 cases to just 10 at the height of the pandemic.
The overwhelming majority of residents did the right thing.
Our local economy shut down, causing economic hardship to so many people.
The stress of that shutdown and fear of the pandemic was the last thing our traumatised population needed after the summer bushfires. It heaped fear and dislocation on fear and dislocation.
Our population is vulnerable to COVID-19. We have roughly double the national average of people aged over 65 years.
If we are not in that category ourselves, we are caring for a loved one, or working in the aged care sector, or serving older people in stores, clubs or eateries.
We cannot afford in any sense for an outbreak in this area. Narooma cannot afford to be dragged in.
Many in the community are upset and not just because they are waiting in long queues to be tested.
It is a bitter pill that we are facing this situation again.
Given the known outbreak in Sydney, many in the community would be asking if more state government restrictions should have been imposed to prevent visitors posing a risk to virus-free regional towns.
Many of us voted with our phones - cancelling bookings or suggesting relatives and friends delay their trips.
We have nothing but praise for the long-suffering health workers undertaking tests of worried, cranky people, in less than optimal conditions, such as car parks.
Those businesses who voluntarily closed their doors and insisted on testing of staff are also to be commended.
In at least two cases, businesses have said they closed their doors despite NSW Health advising they did not have to.
Most readers would disagree with that advice. We have to act sooner rather than later. The risks are too high.