I HAVE some bad news and some good news. Firstly, at only the UK rate of plus 20% of coronavirus infections per day, we will have 150,000 sufferers within 4 weeks. This will mean the remaining 59,850,000 of us will all be in lockdown by then not only trying to avoid catching it but dying of boredom and aching for a change of scenery.

My idea is a simple one which will allow all of us to continue meeting together, chatting and keeping our spirits up. Why don’t we arrange neighbour get-togethers in our back gardens following basic rules. These might be:

1. Make sure the weather is reasonably fine since being indoors together would be ruled out. Warm weather will be more likely with spring approaching.

2. If it’s your chance to ‘host’, make sure tables and chairs are arranged no closer than 3 yards apart to avoid contagion.

3. Everyone would be obliged to bring their own cups and/or glasses. Drinks served by the host would be poured for guests on a table and collected in turn by them to avoid breaching the safe personal distance rule.

4. Cakes and other eatables must be untouched by human hands and freshly baked or cooked at over 80 degrees Centigrade.

5. It would be the responsibility of the day’s host to sanitise all surfaces following get-togethers.

6. Strictly no touching, embracing or kissing but everyone encouraged to show emotion and feelings if they feel like doing so.

7. Empathy and support for one another the prime joint responsibility.

I’m sure we would all enjoy the experience and make real friendships which would continue well after this awful time is over.

Conjuring acts, vocalists, magicians, book readings, ball catching, eulogies, story telling., dancing apart......the mind boggles!

Mike Joslin

Dorchester