I’m happy to give unlocking a go

There has been much laughter about rachel Brosnahan and her Covid-filtering umbrella. The star of the Amazon Prime series The Marvelous Mrs Maisel was pictured filming on location in New York with her trusty brolly, complete with its HEPA filter to control contamination. Trust hollywood! But it is not that masks or even double-masking are not good enough for stars — it is so that rachel can stay protected while working without ruining her stage make-up with a mask. It must be like wandering around in your own little goldfish bowl, while your lipliner and blusher remain immaculate. I want one. Now.

Ping! Another unsolicited email arrives from someone selling something. Knuckle dusters, bath salts? i don’t even look.

‘Are you slightly nervous about life after lockdown?’ it wonders. And this takes me slightly by surprise, because i realise the answer is… yes. A little bit, to be honest.

How will i navigate the world again after becoming used to the luxury of knowing that no one is going to sit next to you on a bus or train?

Or join the throng of commuters moving across the city in smart clothes with neatly packed bags, resplendent in tights and mascara and all the other decorations of civilisation? it seems impossible, like joining the Red Arrows on a ceremonial fly-past.

Lucky me — i do still work in an office sometimes. However, the ability to get ready for work, get out the front door and at my desk quickly and efficiently seems to have completely evaporated during lockdown.

These days it takes hours — and i still leave keys or important paperwork behind.

What has happened to me? in addition, we must all learn how to dismantle our pandemic wariness of stranger danger and human proximity.

it’s not going to be easy. However, i’m willing to give it a go if you are.