Most of our lives have not been directly affected by war, hunger or financial strife. They were stories our parents and grandparents told us.

We listened to those stories and we pictured them in black and white. We thought we were the lucky generations.

We now face an enormous threat and it’s in colour. It is happening right now. It is global.

Fear and panic, of course, feed on uncertainty and inconsistency and at the moment those ingredients abound.

This is a time for national leadership, consistent messages, clear directions.

Today parents are concerned about whether to send their kids to school or not.

People are anxious and that is understandable.

They know this is a big deal, and when people feel that they can’t control events they seek comfort in what they can control.

We’ve seen that exhibited around the country.

That they have enough essentials such as toilet paper or pasta – that’s seeking control over something in the face of the threat for which it is difficult for people to understand.

They want to go to the footy or go to the beach one last time because they mightn’t be able to go next week.

These actions might be regrettable, but hectoring will not help. Clear explanation and clarity will.