The numbers of people contracting the disease will increase exponentially with experts estimating up to 60 per cent of us could be infected.

All gatherings of more than 500 people are now banned; a number which may be adjusted downwards at any time. More and more people are working from home; the elderly have been told to stay at home as much as possible, and supermarket shelves are getting emptier by the day.

Anzac Day has been dramatically scaled back, Sydney's Royal Easter Show is off, and countless other iconic events have been canned.

Schools, universities, major shopping centres and possibly even public transport hubs, will also likely close down in the coming weeks and months.

It is obvious, given the federal government is already talking about tweaking its stimulus package and the Reserve Bank of Australia is considering "quantitative easing", that the economic impact is going to be worse than anybody expected even a week ago.

People working in travel, tourism or any area that relies on these, are effectively out of business for the duration. The same is true for most actors, singers and other members of the performing arts.

The nation's love affair with sport is under threat. While some codes are persevering with matches in closed stadiums for now it seems only a matter of time before this to grinds to a halt.

The stock market is still searching for its bottom, placing the retirement savings of tens of millions of Australians at risk.

Restrictions on international travel will only become more onerous. Citizens are already beginning to see the imposition of controls on when they shop, and what they can, and cannot, buy.

Coronavirus is a threat to all residents collectively, not just as self-centred individuals but as a community with a long, and proud, history of working together in a spirit of mateship, compassion and unity.

Who would have that in the space of less than eight weeks a nation that threw its support so wholeheartedly behind the bushfire relief drive would be storming shopping centres to corner the market on hand sanitiser, toilet paper, rice and pasta?

It is as if much of the population is in the grip of a bizarre panic that has robbed many of any sense of perspective. It is, on the face of it, an extremely bleak outlook. But does it have to be like this? No.

Rather than blaming so-called "mixed messaging" on governments grappling to stay on top of a rapidly evolving crisis which changes from hour-to-hour, use some common sense.

That means practicing good hygiene, not going out and about without good reason and, when visiting the supermarket, leaving something for the next person.

Be mindful of the fact the elderly and those with chronic health conditions are most at risk. Touch base - preferably by phone or some form of social media - to see how they are travelling. Do they have all the supplies they need? Can you make their life easier?

This crisis will take time to pass. It isn't the new normal but it is something everybody has to endure and which will test each person in different ways.

Patience, consideration, and even a sense of humour, will play a big part in getting the country through.

On the eve of World War II the British government commissioned posters saying: "Keep calm and carry on". It was an admirable sentiment then and will serve us well today.