No matter how much coffee you drink, you can't quite wake yourself up. Everything is boring and the day drags. You look forward to a good night's sleep, so you can wake up refreshed the next day.

Coronavirus restrictions has many of us like that. The novelty has well and truly worn off and our wide-eyed concern and careful measures have dissolved into grunts of "not another Zoom meeting" and a desperate desire to wake up from what feels like a bad dream.

We might feel like zombies, but it's important to remember it's better than the alternative.

Overall, the Wimmera - and Australia itself - has escaped the worst that COVID-19 has to offer. One only needs to see what's happened in the United States, Italy and the UK to remember just how awful this virus can be. It's easy to forget when it's Mother's Day and you're missing out on celebrating with all your loved ones.

Today, Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the first steps towards backing off the restrictions ruling our lives right now. For some, it will feel like mere baby steps. For others, knowing five guests can visit at once is like a deep breath of fresh air. However you feel about the move, it's a good time to take stock and reflect on how far we've come - and how far we've got to go.

Yes, we won't wind back restrictions overnight, just like we won't eradicate this awful virus overnight. But we can celebrate our achievements so far.

We've had just nine confirmed cases in the Wimmera, with no new ones for more than a month. Restrictions helped us achieve that. Hopefully, if we keep following the rules for just a little bit longer, we can wake up one day in the near future and discover "COVID-normal" is just a memory.

In the meantime, enjoy the new freedoms, stay safe, and wash your hands. Call your friends and go for a walk - or, after tomorrow, a hit of golf or a hike. Things are looking up.

Cassandra Dalgleish

Acting editor