Abstract

early march 2020: i'm in a french village on the Mediterranean near the Spanish border. The outdoor marché, thronged, is active twice a week. The cafés are crowded. On my morning walk, I am buoyed by the sounds of schoolchildren. The village's only grocery, a small outlet of a major chain, is well-stocked.Mid-March: pandemic. "Non-essential" vendors are banned from the marché. The cafés are shuttered. The school is closed. The little store has depleted shelves. There is a mandate to stay home. Anyone venturing out must carry an attestation certifying the reason for being in public.Fortunately, there is the Internet. There are books. The local wine store offers home delivery. Fortunately, also, I'm in the final...