It's been a strangely discombobulating month as we hurtle to the end of this strangest of years.
Could we ever have imagined, as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in February, that we would still be coasting on COVID's long tail with Christmas well in sight?
Last week's raft of announcements, both national and local, have brought a mixed bag of emotions for Mandurah, and for the rest of the country.
Mandurah's entertainment industry breathed a sigh of relief after the government announced venues would be able to significantly increase their capacity.
Many businesses have allowed themselves to hope that they may yet survive the year.
And yet, we are still fielding announcements of major events, some still months away, being cancelled as the state of uncertainty continues.
Last week the plug was pulled for the second time on the most-loved Mandurah event, the Crab Fest, after the cancellation of large-scale Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Such events bring large crowds from beyond our city.
The state of limbo for large festivals is a continuing blow, not least for the many who may be left without a source of income.
With the country blessedly on top of the disease, it's a tough pill to swallow.
But throughout the pandemic, our Mandurah council has been guided overwhelmingly by health advice, reminding us constantly that the pandemic is far from over.
We are caught between two states of being.
The country is emerging and the state is thriving, but without the freedom of international movement so many of depend upon, we are a long way from a return to normality.
But, on a local level, there's no denying that cancelling events that are still months away is a blow to our community spirit, and a reminder that we are not out of the woods yet.