Victoria's second coronavirus lockdown is a bitter disappointment

ANALYSIS: The announcement we were returning to lockdown came as a bitter disappointment for many of us in Victoria.

Not because we were again facing weeks at home, only allowed to leave for just a few reasons.

Not because of the extra requirement of wearing a mask when in public.

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Complying with the directions proved to be quite doable last time, in fact it quickly become routine.

And the need to wear masks is hardly a major imposition. Not at all.

The reason for my dismay was that coronavirus had clearly proved itself a ruthless, resilient enemy, spreading surreptitiously, claiming dozens of new victims, just when it seemed to be on the way out.

While the first lockdown was widely observed, somehow COVID-19 had slipped under our guard and emerged, rampant, in our aged care system, abattoirs, schools, high-rise estates, quarantine hotels and hospitals.

It spread silently from person to person through community contact - difficult to trace.

We thought we had seen the worst of it.

There are many claims about who is responsible for the missteps and presumably an official inquiry will release its findings eventually; cold comfort for the families of those who have died.

In the meantime, the alarming jump in confirmed cases has raised community anxiety, especially among those most at risk and their relatives.

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People are often seen at their best in a time of crisis. And sometimes their worst.

We are fortunate indeed to have courageous frontline workers prepared to risk their wellbeing to keep us safe.

Staff in the healthcare system, our police and emergency services, the ADF.

Workers at the cash registers keeping the supermarkets open, essential services, those staying home and everyone who is teaching their kids by remote learning.

Everyday people, doing the right thing, abiding by the rules.

Then there are those who treat it all as an inconvenience.

It is not surprising the breathtaking and reckless actions of a few attention seekers have made headlines.

You must have seen videos of anti-maskers confronting police and retailers, bullying staff and proudly sharing their selfish efforts on social media.

Displaying an arrogant ignorance of the law, there were even claims of a violation of human rights.

Seriously – and this during a state of emergency.

However, the officers and staff won the day, calmly dealing with the situation while refusing to be brow-beaten.

All the attention has provoked community anger and reinforced the importance of doing the right thing.

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The rule-breakers have been overwhelmingly condemned by the public, both online and in the rest of the media.

In the main, people are wearing their masks, staying home and trying to protect each other.

It's no guarantee, but it's the best we can do.

With a few exceptions, the community seems to be working together, individuals doing what needs to be done to fight back against the pandemic.