shewhomust | The sword of Damocles

Talking the other evening over some residents' association paperwork with a neighbour who had missed the meeting because he had Covid. In a way it was a relief, he said: he had been conscious of the risk of infection all the time, like the sword of Damocles, but now he had been through it, recovered and was about to set off for a couple of weeks holiday in Brittany. Almost he had considered hosting Covid parties - and perhaps I looked negative about this, because he back-pedalled: almost...

And almost I know what he means. It begins to feel inevitable that sooner or later all of us will catch it (the reason we were home when he called was that although it was pub quiz night, our friend the Quizmaster has Covid). If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well / It were done quickly: Yes, if...

Meanwhile, GirlBear e-mails to say that

boybear was so knocked out by his visit to the local wholefood shop that he did a test and, yes, he has Covid. Oh, dear. Get well soon,

boybear!