Collective safety, societal solidarity

Summary: A word to the wise and advice to the kind; please don't put those around you, especially vulnerable citizens, at risk; on a brighter note, we'll likely become more productive because of the COVID-19/Coronavirus epidemic-turned-pandemic

THOSE who read this article likely live somewhere like the Americas, Europe, Australia or some other "developed" place. Some of us are forced to stay home, some are advised to stay home, and many choose to stay home.

Stay home. Don't feel ashamed or embarrassed. Social distancing if not self-isolation are "cool" now. They're an act not of selfishness but of responsibility.

As somebody who has worked from home since 2007, remote working isn't unusual for me. It's actually going to the office -- something which happens for day or few every several years -- that is unusual (and yes, we have a physical office where I've worked; several years ago it was universities).

To me, personally, the main reason to go out is buying stuff (mostly food) and the gym. But yesterday we learned that the gym is closing for at least a month. Buying stuff probably won't be easy either (or safe). So starting next week I'll definitely spend more time at home and I shall take advantage of that to write more, read more, respond more.

The pandemic has certainly slowed down the flow of news (and number of significant announcements made), but under the radar many bad things continue to happen, often uncovered, and the spare breathing space (unless running short of it) gives us more time to prepare and publish analyses (as in analytical articles).

Bear with us as we're likely to become more active in the month to come (or months to come, depending on when the curve gets flattened and the epidemic is contained).

We have deep sympathy and empathy for those who will suffer profoundly in months to come. But we cannot let such an unprecedented pandemic bring our lives to a stop/halt. ⬆