dhw: The UK has just followed the example of many other countries and announced at least a partial “lockdown”. Of course nobody – not even the scientists – really knows how to deal with this crisis, but I’ve seen at least one religious article suggesting God is punishing us for our bad behaviour. No doubt there will be other articles asking why God created bad viruses in the first place, or what is the point of believing in a God when obviously life runs itself in whatever direction its forms choose to follow?

From my habitual position on the fence (though I’ve been urged to scurry into the house and lock the door), I can only deplore the suffering, not just physical but also social and economic, and marvel – though with horror – at the way Nature can indiscriminately terrorize the whole human race within just a few weeks. And there is panic-buying to illustrate the primitive me-first side of human nature. What an ugly world! At the same time, we see that almost immediately, pollution in the cities has fallen dramatically, no doubt saving thousands of lives, and the madness of city life has quietened down to a far healthier pace, while new groups of helpers are coming together everywhere to illustrate the empathy and kindness of human nature. What a wonderful world!

If anyone happens to read this, regardless of your beliefs, non-beliefs and disbeliefs, let me wish you a safe journey through this plague-ridden passage of human history.

Good viruses have played an important role in evolution, and the bad ones are most often conquered by medical research, so they are a mixed bag of issues. dhw, when down from the fence remember to wash your hands thoroughly. Set up grocery shopping by curbside delivery. Stay well!!!

A dear friend of mine has taken to sending out an email a day to all her family and friends, containing poems or quotations or even short stories to help counter the depression being caused by this plague. I think it's a lovely idea, but I'm not going to try and emulate her! However, I wrote the following tiny contribution for her, and I'll include it here just in case it might bring a little bit of light to the gloom.

A GLOBAL TRAGEDY BUT…..

These terrible times do not require us
Only to think about the virus.
Laughter, the spring, books, music, art,
And the warmth and love of the human heart –
Let these be the sources of hope to inspire us.