We spend some time recently in one of our Zoom church gatherings asking the question: “What are you doing that is stimulating you, supporting you or nurturing you?” This question has taken on a greater significance now that we Melburnians have gone into COVID-19 lockdown Mk. 2.

Here in Melbourne we are still locked down to curb the spread of the coronavirus. During our curfew (8pm to 5am) the roads outside no longer have heavy traffic sounds and it is unusually quiet at night. As we get out for our one hour of exercise each day, we seem to be more attentive to the songs and warbles of the birds.

Instead of G’day, Namaste, Kia Ora or Shalom, the Zulus of South Africa greet each other with the beautiful word, Sawubona.

While the government is working on much needed economic responses to the COVID-19 crisis in Australia, the health responses don’t seem to be so evident.