The problem is how quickly this happens. At the rate at which it’s currently spreading there’s the possibility the hospital system will become overwhelmed with the minority of people who do get very unwell. This is a possibility. I, and every doctor I know, think a scenario similar to this (hopefully better) is likely, probable even. To those of you still on the fence, I accept it is not definitely what is going to happen. I promise you though, hospitals are taking very real steps to plan for this eventuality. Where I work, an entire level has been rebuilt to deal with the influx of coronavirus patients we expect to eventually receive.

Sydney doctor Sanj Mudaliar.

So I put this to you. Every time you’re about to go out and interact with others over the next few weeks, ask yourself, "What do I, or others gain from me doing this right now?" There are things we must do to keep the world turning. Everyone locking themselves at home on piles of toilet paper will be its own kind of nightmare. But if you can, work from home. If it’s an option for you, cancel those playdates. Most importantly, do you have to see your friends this weekend or could you just stay home?

Every time you choose not to interact with others, it slows the rate at which this spreads and makes it less likely that in a few weeks' time we’ll have to decide who gets the ventilator and who well ... doesn’t. This is quite literally the discussion that is happening right now in Italy.

The health system is bracing for an onslaught. We have learnt from those countries that have faced this before us and we are better prepared than some of the coverage out there would have you think. Despite this, we are also worried if we don’t slow the rate of infection, we will still not be able to cope.