First priorities are elderly & customers

DESPITE being under enormous pressure kindness and compassion are prevailing as the hinterland community rallies to support each other.

In small towns where everyone knows each other the situation is bringing out the best in people.

“I woke up last Monday morning and it was a whole new world," said Col Pearce from Brady’s Fruit in Palmwoods.

"I believe what happened was a lot of people went shopping and couldn’t find any- thing. It was just like — bang.

Mr Pearce said his main concern was making sure his customers had access to fresh produce.

"I have to just keep working. I have to keep feeding people."

Mr Pearce said demand and costs had increased significantly. He said many people didn't realise that pre-existing drought conditions had already forced fruit and vegetable prices higher and increased demand just added to that pressure.

Gerald Roberts of the North Coast Mower Centre said he had noticed some fall off in trade and expected it could probably get worse.

“It’s a terrible situation and the uncertainty is awful for people, particularly the elderly. But at the end of the day I’m prob- ably luckier than many businesses. People still have to mow their grass, so, thankfully we’re okay. But I feel terrible for the other people and businesses who are affected.”

Brian Birrell from Woombye Seafood said it was important for people to maintain the precautions that had been put in place in order to help keep vulnerable people safe.

“Everyone needs to respect what the government wants us to do, in terms of restrictions, and look after the older people. It’s not a joke,” he said.

“Businesses will suffer there’s no doubt. Everyone has to be careful and mindful. The way I look at it if people learned to sanitise and stay home if they’re sick we’d all be better off.”

Nathan Spring from The Local Gym in Woombye who was forced to close his doors Monday was more concerned about people who had lost their jobs.

“We’ve had such good support from members,” he said. But some people have cancelled because they've lost their jobs. We feel worse for them than we do for our- selves if you know what I mean.”

Like everyone he was uncertain of the future but he remained hopeful and urged people to keep things in perspective.

Brady's Fruit owner Col Pearce ... "I have to just keep working. I have to keep feeding people."

Gerald Roberts of North Coast Mower Centre: "I feel terrible for the other people and businesses who are affected.”