The Johns Hopkins University tally of daily COVID-19 cases, part of a broader JHU dashboard that is the go-to ready reckoner for anyone interested in the numbers behind the coronavirus headlines.

From late March, when the rapid, logarithmic rise of COVID cases slowed dramatically, there were reasons to hope the world curve would follow the flow of countries - including Australia and New Zealand - that had brought their situations under quick control.

But it was not to be.

As Sunday evening's graph indicates, the general trend of daily cases shows the global daily totals still rising, even as May rolls into June.

Friday's total of 108,400 cases set another daily record, while Saturday's marginally lower total of 99,500 was still the fourth-highest recorded.

COVID-19 global snapshot:

By now the magnitude of the situation has surely dawned on even the most determined of nay-sayers.

As we have said in this space before, Australia has dodged an enormous bullet.

Historian and social critic Donald Horne was not out to flatter when he described us in 1964 as "a lucky country", but Australia has again lived up to its reputation, for which we can all be thankful.

With state and territory governments progressively easing COVID-19 restrictions, the tension that has filled the nation since the virus arrived is also dissipating.

Hunter New England Health is one of many health districts to go a considerable time - 33 days in our case - without a positive test.

The language, too, is beginning to change.

It was just seven weeks ago on April 2 when Prime Minister Scott Morrison said coronavirus meant there were "no more unions or bosses".

We were "just Australians now".

Such unity could never last, but we are now hearing warnings that the virus will only return if someone brings it, or if it's "imported".

Some might hear such messages as simple statements of fact.

And they can be.

But they can also be read with a threatening undertone: we'll open the gate, but if something goes wrong, it will be your fault.

This is not the attitude our leaders, or the public, should take.

It will be extraordinarily unlikely - call it a miracle if that suits - for Australia to escape without a second wave.

We should enjoy the pleasures of a return to normal, but realise the fragility of our situation.

If COVID-19 does return, there can be no targeting of individuals or groups.

We will have social distancing.

But without a vaccine, we will lack real control.

ISSUE: 39,615.

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