101 days of Coronavirus, that is.

On 31 December 2019, the disease now known as COVID-19 was first reported to the World Health Organisation. Although researchers are tracing the origins of the virus further and further back, as of today, we’ve known about it for 101 days.

To us, that seemed like a good point to stop and reflect on what the past hundred and one days have been like, and on what the future might hold.

This week, we’re looking back at why this particular viral contagion is sweeping the world, and at the social contagion that seemed to sweep us up with it.

We’re also looking forward, at whether the social changes we’re seeing will stick around, and at what exactly goes into producing the vaccine we’re all waiting for.

Looking for something to break up your lockdown? Why not listen to the Particle Podcast?

Every episode is a little time capsule from the distant past, in the days when two people could sit less than 1.5 metres apart with nothing but a couple of microphones between them.

We’ve had two new episodes of the Particle Podcast since our last newsletter, talking about fossils and forensics with two passionate people.

If you missed these when they came out, make sure you’re following us wherever you get your podcasts – we’re posting new episodes every week.

Stay safe out there,

The Particle Crew.