The coronavirus - what will we learn from it?

It's interesting to see how this virus is affecting the lives of the people in so many countries around the world - and how the response of different countries vary. Some have very stringent rules in force, with hefty fines for non-compliance; others, like the UK, are almost lackadaisical in their approach to tackling the threat of illness and death.

The virus has forced people to change their lives drastically: schools are closed; people are encouraged to work from home if they can; social events have been cancelled; visits to the inmates of care homes and old people's homes are no longer allowed, all shops apart from food shops and pharmacies have been forced to shut. Even cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants have had to close. People's way of life is simply no longer the same.

What will this mean for people? Will many independent firms go to the wall with the lack of customers and hence cash flow? Will self-employed people become homeless as they can no longer service their mortgage repayments or rents?

What about companies? Now that they have seen that people can work from home, will they continue with this in the future, too? They could save on office space, company cars and other perks (e.g. free tea and coffee or even snacks). And it'll be good for the environment: less air pollution for one thing.

Will people ever socialise again like they used to? Or will they have become accustomed to staying at home and amusing themselves? And will there be anywhere to go after the months that it will take to see the end of this state of emergency?

Many people will have heard of the Chinese curse of "may you live in interesting times", but it's only now that we are really coming to appreciate its full meaning.