Strange Days

The closest experience I’ve had to the present Covoid-19 crisis is during the days of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution: the panic stocking up; not knowing what to expect, waiting for the other shoe to drop; the imposed isolation of curfew; the conflicting news stories. This, of course, is much worse. There is no safe haven anywhere in the world, and no potential upside. Worst of all, the unwitting fifth columnist in this war could be the stranger you never meet who touched the pharmacy checkout counter ahead of you, or your closest friend. At least, since I am writing a novel with Egypt 2011 as a setting, self isolation puts me in the right frame of mind!