No one would say this is easy, but the official response to the COVID-19 threat has been too long coming for most, and the thinking on a contingency the nation is meant to have long planned for, worryingly muddled.

At the time of writing, the Federal Government has promised to expand its national hotline, and it has pledged to roll out 100 GP-led fever clinics to assess and test potential cases to keep patients away from mainstream health services.

And finally, new telehealth items have been developed in an attempt to shift medical care online. Consults have to be bulk-billed, but they are extensive in the number of patients they cover, including all patients aged 70 and over, those with chronic conditions, the immunocompromised and pregnant women.

Critically, the items will also fund teleconsults for the patients of any GP who is forced into isolation themselves.