Whilst we no longer do some simple things - like shaking hands - in quite the same way as before we have resumed much of our daily way of life.

But in some sectors, it's far from anything like certain - either now or in the future.

The tertiary education sector, tourism, events and live entertainment are all vital cogs in the Tasmanian economic wheel but each is either treading water or well below par. There is only so much that the domestic market can provide to get them moving again. We have to be realistic - it's going to be some time before international students return to Tasmania and there's the further question about the numbers who will now choose to come here.

At one stage we were perhaps thinking that they would be back in term 2 this year - then next semester - now at best it's the beginning of next year. If we take heed of the forebodings on the resumption of substantive international travel to and from Australia it may even be much later.

And that all assumes that the economic situation across the globe can justify families forking out for a foreign education for their children when flights resume.

As for inbound tourism and events, Tasmanian operators may still be hoping that come the first buds of spring we will be able to welcome a few more folk than just our cousins in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Many have been able to rationalise a winter hibernation until now.

It's a downtime in Tassie in any case but this time around on the back of interim government grants and JobKeeper alternatively an opportunity for renovation and maintenance or a well-earned personal break from the toil of operating a small business.

A willingness or perhaps no alternative than to take a holiday at home from fellow Tasmanians has created a mini-revival but clearly we cannot rely on that.

The big question remains that even with the proposed extension of government support as to just when sufficient money will begin swirling in the local economy to make things truly viable again.

That's something that we must bear in mind whatever ideas we might come up with to stimulate some activity.

We could, for example, propose that we host a one-off series of school-aged sporting engagements - let's say even at the moment between WA, SA, NT and Tasmania.

One-off because it would fill temporarily fill the space normally taken by School Sport Australia events - all of which are cancelled for 2020. But even with a huge desire for a resumption of this kind of activity - could families actually afford to be part of it in the current economic circumstances.

It's the same for the local entertainment industry. As has been demonstrated in Perth, there is the opportunity in the states largely free of COVID-19 to allow crowds back to events - at least outdoors.

And surely on that basis, we cannot be far away from the public health authorities saying that it can be the same indoors - and eventually even without any physical distancing requirements. Not simply to get folk back to work - but to get the voluntary sector re-engaged - and for the rest of us to start enjoying ourselves a little more once again.

But there is an even bigger picture - and a chance to seize the moment to make Tasmania a more self-sufficient economic powerhouse. It's a no brainer that we need to maximise power storage options and increase connectivity to the mainland.

Whatever it is that might be holding us back there - let's get unleashed.

The restraints are off in any case on federal and state government spending and borrowing so now's the time to act.

It sounds a bit pie in the sky that we might be able to build some or all of the two new Bass Strait ferries ourselves but maybe even that's possible. Yet surely there must be other things that we can start making here that we don't. We are constantly told about the high cost of freight to Tasmania so if that's true why don't we eliminate that factor and manufacture more things at home.

Yes - it's all about economies of scale but if we plan big then that problem is ameliorated. If we commit long term to construct our way out of the coronavirus - because it's something we need to do in any case - then why not tool up to make more of the components in Tasmania. Surely we use enough steel, for example, to make it here - or at least fabricate way more of it.

The Reserve Bank Governor is right - money's never been cheaper than right now.