Shelter in the time of Covid-19

The act of taking shelter. How do we take shelter?, it sounds simple, we need take cover and get out of harm's way right. But it's not that simple, there are many more layers to the meaning of shelter. In the beginning we took shelter in caves and arranged ourselves into groups for protection. We tried to explain away the unknown with fantastical stories and ceremonies of suspicion and superstition. When danger threatened we hid behind barriers and locked ourselves away until it was safe to emerge from our cave, hut or apartment. Now we have a new danger. Governments around the world are urging their citizens to take shelter from a new and unseen threat, and for many, this act of taking shelter is more than just staying at home, it's about family, religion, faith, superstition, fear, ritual and ceremony. Historically, in a time of crisis, religion has been the go to shelter for many, a covering umbrella with the added comfort of ritual and of blind belief, it provided the balm for a troubled soul in a time of upheaval, but superstition has also played that same role during a crisis, think of black cats, knocking on wood, wishing on a star and crossing your fingers, it's nonsense to many, but a form of shelter to others. At its most base we need food and we need protection from the elements to feel sheltered, and to be in a place of comfort where we can play with and relive our memories. We also need a sense of security and privacy to feel sheltered and we need family for support and affirmation of who we are. But for many the simple act of crawling into bed is the best way to take some shelter from the storm.