In the face of the new reality one can only stop and stare, slack-jawed at the pace and enormity of events.
The health emergency enveloping countries globally is unseen in our lifetimes; ditto for the economic emergency.
Trillions are being spent to head off economic meltdown, and billions spent to upscale emergency medical facilities to treat the ill.
Hospitals are now being turned into ICU centres - respirators are the main device to help stop people dying. Anyone with expertise in engineering who can help manufacture and develop such devices, are sought high and low.
The food industry is an essential industry and workers are required to keep working, keep producing and keep well.
From Italy those in the eye of the storm name the trio of essential things - health, food, family.
The world has changed dramatically in front of our eyes - the speed of change is alarming, as is the extent of the change. Perseverance and resilience are needed to get us through the coming weeks ahead.
We will emerge into a fundamentally changed world, but for now just keeping on is the thing.
Stay safe, whether at home or at work. Keep up the social distancing, self-isolate if you show any signs of illness. One doctor advised us to act as if we have the disease - hence using extreme caution at all times not to spread the virus.
As new directives come from the centre, be it London, Dublin, Belfast, or where ever you might be - this is one emergency where it is incumbent on all individuals to do their best for the collective health of the nation.
