For Christians (and some non-believers looking for calendar-based motivation), the buildup to Easter is a time of 40 days fasting, prayer, and penance. One of the more ironic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic is that most of the globe has been forced into a similar 40 days-or-more Lenten period of physical isolation and the deprivation of many societal comforts. This is penance, 21st century style, although the vast majority of those doing penance have nothing to repent. The punishment, such as it is, has been imposed by our governments. Continue reading →