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The lockdown may, gradually, be easing – but there is still no end in sight. It is not surprising that most of us have moments – at the very least – of despair.
For those who have lost friends and loved ones, the despair is far worse than a fleeting moment. But whatever our circumstances, it is important for all of us to keep a sense of hope for the future.
At some point the crisis will end and we need to find a way not to be permanently scarred by it. In that context, it is easy to take for granted some of the current efforts of younger members of the community – the fundraising, the activities and the sheer enterprise.
Every week the JC has numerous examples, both those related to coronavirus and those entirely unrelated and providing a semblance of normality.
This week, for instance, we report how Jack Jacob, 18, and his girlfriend Jade Weerawardena, 19, have started a focaccia delivery service in Bristol; we speak to Zack Fortag, 19, who has set up the Ahead of Time Academy, in addition to his existing fashion business; 17-year-old Matty Fisher from Mill Hill tells us about his film documenting his struggle with Crohn’s disease; and we hear from 18-year-old cellist Ellen Baumring-Gledhill, whose performance in the BBC Young Musician strings final is broadcast on Sunday.
And that’s without even mentioning the really young, such as the pupils at Alyth Kindergarten in Golders Green who recorded Matt Lucas’ Thank You Baked Potato song.
The pandemic has caused economic and social devastation. But we do at least have the comfort that – as has always been the case – a future in the hands of the younger generation is a future to which we can look forward with excitement and gratitude.
