Such a strange feeling

I've been at the barn the last couple of days preparing a space for 50 or so chickens we plan to get "at point of lay". Coming back to the house after the day's work it came over me - such a strange feeling - like, what is the point of the chicken programme - maybe we won't be there to benefit from the eggs. Indeed, what is the point of anything?

Today the UK announced that GCSE and A-levels have been cancelled for this year. They are talking about cocooning folk over 70. We are already being advised not to travel or socialise and to keep 2m away from other folk. Many shops and businesses have closed their doors. We cannot visit Ali's mum in the UK, or our daughter and her new-born in Australia as planned - thankfully Singapore Air have allowed us to rebook up to a year ahead for no extra charge. Thankfully we can at least communicate by 'phone or internet.

I've been mentally planning various free-travel hiking trips for this summer but it is now looking unlikely that these will be possible. At least I have the Wicklow Mountains within running distance!

These events are unprecedented.

Totally unexpected. And they have come upon us so quickly. And all due to a critter that is smaller than the wavelength of light so is invisible except to the electron microscope. How do they come about? Wikipedia not very helpfully admits "the origins of viruses in the evolutionary history of life are unclear".

Our Taoiseach Leo Varadkar addressed the nation in a special broadcast on this Saint Patrick’s Day as Ireland comes to grips with the global Covid-19 pandemic, saying: This is the calm before the storm – before the surge. And when it comes – and it will come – never will so many ask so much of so few.

We are told that all these restrictions are only to "flatten the curve" to give the health departments a chance to prepare for the escalating numbers needing hospital care. And then what? What form will the "storm take? It is now admitted that "return to normal" is months away. It is thought that 60 to 70 percent of the world population will eventually contract the virus. And some say the world will never be the same again.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.