Coronavirus was declared a global pandemic on March 11^th, 2020. The year since that day has proved to be the most challenging in recent history. A lot has happened during this time, and I have had a very unique way of experience the entire event. So, let’s take a look back as we approach the one-year mark of this global pandemic.

One year ago today, Coronavirus was not yet a pandemic. It was working its way to becoming one, but people had mixed feelings. Some people were fearful about the new virus and what it could mean. Others didn’t care about what would happen as long as they could still carry on with typical day-to-day life. Most of the people I interacted with every day fell into the second category. Australia is isolated from the rest of the world, so many people here felt they had nothing to fear.

On March 11th, people in Australia felt a little more concerned, but many still believed everything would just blow over. We could not have been more wrong. On Saint Patrick’s Day last year, one of the Irish pubs in Cairns had its regular annual celebration. I attended the event, and with the turnout, you would think the world was perfectly normal. Within the next two weeks, Queensland would declare a full lockdown for the state along with the rest of Australia.

Lockdown begins in Australia

On Sunday, March 22nd (only five days after St. Patrick’s Day), the Queensland government declared that many non-essential businesses would temporarily have to close their doors from noon on Monday. This list included all bars and restaurants. At the hostel where I have been living and working, we referred to that Sunday as “Black Sunday.” That night, most of the hostel decided they would enjoy some drinks since we had no idea when bars would reopen.

In the weeks leading up to the Queensland lockdown, backpackers started to flee Australia. Many backpackers were conflicted about what they should do. Most did not want to leave Australia, but they didn’t know if they could continue to support themselves. Some were also worried about their families, worried about if something terrible happened and they were overseas with no way home to be with family.

The global pandemic brings tough decisions

There was one detail that made backpackers’ decision to leave even more complicated. Airlines canceled many flights, so there was no guarantee to fly. Many backpackers found a flight home only to have it canceled before they could leave. With flight prices skyrocketing and refunds taking a long time, many backpackers felt utterly stranded.

There is also a group that decided they would be better off living through the pandemic in Australia. I fell into this category. I remember thinking that if I stay in Australia, I might contract the virus. But if I flew back to the states, I would almost certainly obtain the virus. A year later, I still have not had the virus, nor has anyone I know in Australia. I have many friends and family in other parts of the world that either have or had the virus.

Some restrictions lifted

In May, Queensland started to reduce restrictions through a phased approach. While many parts of the world were finding more new cases than ever, Australia showed signs of returning to “normal.” The people that decided to stick it out in Australia felt like they made a decent decision. People may have felt like things were turning normal, but the government took matters differently.

Around August, many businesses started to feel a lot of pressure, especially bars. This pressure happened despite only 37 cases in Cairns since the start of the global pandemic. The companies had all the patrons they could ever want at the time, but the government decided to issue fines for too many people at the venues. The government took an approach of extreme caution, causing many backpackers to flee the city for less restrictive places, such as the Northern Territory or Western Australia.

Hope with the New Year

Cairns found itself heading for economic problems with fewer backpackers, zero incoming tourists, and wet season on the horizon. Most businesses limped along for the rest of the year until New Year’s, when more visitors came to the city. Nearly every accommodation location sold out for New Year’s Eve, and all bars/restaurants were super busy with the influx of people. For a short time, the city felt like the pandemic was over.

Unfortunately, this normal feeling would not last. All of the visitors over the holidays left the city, and Cairns became quieter than ever. With the lack of tourists in the town, businesses found themselves scrambling to find ways to attract more customers. Some of these businesses failed to find new customers and have had to close their doors, some temporarily and others permanently. Look at this article to see more.

The road beyond the global pandemic

This summary brings us up to current life right now. The vaccine is rolling out in some countries, and people feel like they see the light at the end of the tunnel. The pandemic might be coming toward an end, but the road to recovery is on the other side. And that road is tricky to navigate. You can look at Australia to see that. Much of the world will probably soon experience what Australia has experienced over the last six months or so.

I want to leave you with some advice. Most local businesses, especially in tourist areas, are struggling and close to permanent closure. With long-distance travel restricted, do whatever you can to save your favorite local places. Buying one-night accommodation, or a meal, or a drink can help make the difference for these businesses to stay open. You may feel powerless, but you can make a difference!