And not all of these have to do directly with the virus itself.

While Europe flails and America flounders, small Pacific nations like Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands have been hit disproportionately hard by COVID-19, even though they've seen very few cases. Indeed, some remain COVID-free.

But they are also cut off from one of their most important sources of revenue - tourism.

Australia and New Zealand make up the vast majority of visitors to these nations but, like people in many parts of the world, we are prevented from travelling as the pandemic plays out and international flights remain grounded.

This will have important implications for our international aid strategy, which will be rendered almost obsolete, in health terms, by coronavirus.

Last week saw the Partnerships for Recovery plan by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, setting out a new approach for Australia's development assistance over the next two years.

The document sets out that the scale of the COVID-19 crisis "will dwarf the resources we have available, including through our Official Development Assistance budget".

The plan's changed strategy places the Pacific, Timor-Leste and Indonesia as "first-tier priorities", narrowing the focus of Australia's aid.

The strategy relies on redirecting existing funding to focus on health security, stability and economic recovery in the region.

Reports suggest that $280 million of aid has been already been re-allocated because of COVID-19, including $100 million to help Pacific countries pay for the basic costs of running their countries.

This includes funding that would otherwise have gone towards scholarships and volunteering, which have been curbed by the limits on international travel, and are among the existing programs that have had funding redirected to COVID-19-related help.

But in a wider sense, as we look to our own economic recovery, it's important that Australia continue to focus on supporting our Pacific neighbours.

If we don't, we risk a humanitarian crisis on our doorstep that we could well have avoided.

Neglect in this area now could also run the risk of leaving these countries vulnerable to the growing power of China, as it seeks greater influence in the region.

But there are other ways we can help these countries, as well as ensuring appropriate levels of aid in their time of great need.

We should also be giving consideration to including them in any "travel bubble" with New Zealand, as these countries can be deemed safe places to travel - virtually virus free and low risk.

Such a deliberate and targeted influx of mutually beneficial aid dollars could even go some way to repairing the damage to our country's reputation caused in recent times over fallouts over climate policy.

Australia has always been a nation of travellers. As we move towards a post-COVID future, even as much of the world remains in its grip, many would benefit by being able to travel and holiday in these countries that so desperately rely on tourism.

Australia is fortunate to be able to start looking to the future. We have a responsibility to make our neighbours part of our recovery.