Just when we thought we'd lived through one of the country's biggest crisis in terms of the bushfires which have devastated much of Australia, we find ourselves in the midst of another catastrophe.

As anyone who keeps a keen eye on the news will tell you reading or watching news coverage can be pretty sobering at the best of times.

However normally, apart from the day's one or two leading news stories, there's plenty of variety in the sort of issues being covered.

Now it's impossible to read a newspaper, watch the news on television or look at a news feed online, without being bombarded with even more horrifying stories about the coronavisus and how it has spread.

While stories about people stockpiling toilet paper were at first amusing, now they are simply upsetting.

People are being left short of essential items as others selfishly stockpile more than they could possibly need.

Let's not let the fear of what may come overtake us.

Let's be sensible about our consumption and once again let's all remember to be nice to everyone we encounter because the stress of what's happening is bound to impact at least some people's mental health.

If you need help remember Lifeline is a good place to start so call 13 11 15.