So in theory The-Bug-That-May-Not-Be-Named is kinda-sorta over. Yes, new cases in NSW are still in the 10 to 20 thousand cases per day range, hospitalisations are still inching up (but are still under 1,200 in total), but most new cases are a milder variant. Unfortunately that means that the numbers are probably understated because some people don't even know they have it. {Ka-choo!} Ah, 'scuse me! And yes, the issue of vaccine passports and their compatibility (or lack thereof) with Europe is still an issue.

Still, businesses are trying to get people back into offices, and small business owners are desperate that they do so. Many CBDs are still ghost towns, and most businesses around them are choked to the point of breaking.

And thus... here I am back waiting for a train to the city, with a meagre handful of morning commuters and probably one or two vampires who are getting home late for company. I shall be heading that-a-way within half an hour, wearing a mask, for such a thing is still required on public transport. In theory, though in reality I've seen bupkis in the way of enforcement.

This is probably the first time I've been in since early November. The thing that I noticed most when I arrived at my destination was the number of empty shop fronts which once housed thriving businesses. I used to walk past a cafe which was always open and busy even at my early hour of arrival. Now it's closed and dark.

And to be honest? While going in is a good break of routine, I don't really want to do it too often and I know I'm not alone in that.

We're not quite in the post-Bug world yet.