The curve has flattened, more protective gear is being imported and manufactured locally, and the Federal Government has responded by partially winding back a ban on elective surgery. But will this undermine preparations as we head towards Winter in the time of COVID 19? CroakeyVoices talks to peak health organisations concerned about the preparedness of rural and remote services. Alison Verhoeven, Chief Executive of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association; and the CEO of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia, Peta Rutherford, caution against complacency. Meanwhile, the head of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT, John Paterson, says the coronavirus crisis has exposed the underfunding of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Clinics and other remote health services, and calls for more work to improve housing in remote communities, saying it’s key to better health. And a cross country trek in the time of COVID19 with a health researcher taking up a new job in the NT.