New COVID-19 cases, new closures and heightened worry within the Wimmera community about what comes next.

As we head into the weekend, we can count ourselves lucky in regional areas that further restrictions have been held at bay.

And, in some good news, maybe additional help and attention might be at hand from the Andrews government.

Yes, we might have been asked to wear masks when we can't social distance properly, but we haven't joined our Melbourne cousins in a hard lockdown. Yet. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

When you're out enjoying a coffee or moving around locally this weekend bear that in mind.

And spare a thought for those along the South Australian border, who are doing it doubly tough - travel restrictions and businesses hit hard by tourism drying up from multiple directions.

Or for families struggling with the distance caused by the changes.

Do the right things so we can keep enjoying "life's frivolous pleasures", as one friend, who is locked down in Melbourne, wistfully put it. They can't do that just now. We still can. Long may that be the case.

There are a few people in the Wimmera who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 this week - and a brave few who have openly admitted it.

Bear in mind when you're posting reactions on social media that it could easily be you. In fact, as the pandemic goes on that likelihood increases.

We need, as has been repeatedly said, to learn to live with the virus. That includes having compassion for and offering a hand to those who find themselves with it. As one local said: "People need to understand some people can catch this when they haven't done anything wrong."

And, finally, if you're spending time making DIY masks in the coming days, have a read of our regular columnist Yolande Grosser's attempts.

Juanita Greville, Acting Editor

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