Coronavirus: With the bad comes the good. This lockdown could change how we live – Helen Martin

Now we are in a different situation altogether. For once I’m trying to look on the bright side and fantasise about a better future. But let’s look at the ‘bad’ news first.

One daily outdoor exercise doesn’t work if you have a dog. Most expect two or three walks a day and ­cleverly time their excrements. If we are forced to obey, at least we have a small garden. But for those with a dog, a flat, and no outside space, they must hope the dog dumps and wees in their home, rather than develops bowel and urinary problems, stress and vet bills.

Television is a part of lockdown for us. As well as essential Covid-19 updates and advice at regular times, it should provide distraction, entertainment and temporary relief from reality. But no, during the stay-at-home day, programmes are wiped out with hours and hours of political discussions and stuff like how Prince Charles moved to Scotland to cope with his mild symptoms.

Cutting off seeing family and friends is a downer, but at least we can all phone, Skype and e-mail. And that leads us to ‘good’ news from the lockdown.

Many still employed can work from home with internet, tech, group chats, FaceTime and apps. No need to get on an infecting bus, and gather in office boosting contagion. The same with people who would once have had to travel to London for the day and now have meetings and deals made online.

It wasn’t intended but coronavirus is helping us work on climate change. Hardly any flights, fewer buses, fewer cars choking the streets and clearer air. If this goes on for months, it wouldn’t be surprising if companies discovered employees operating from home worked well so why bother to pay for office blocks? What might happen to the buildings? They could be converted to social, affordable housing.

So far, we’ve worried about kids being hooked to screens. Now screens are always available and playing outside with pals is forbidden. They’ll scream “yahoo” and belt out the door as soon as they have the all-clear.

Communities are improving with healthy folk at home for the day, working or not, suddenly pleased to be helping elderly locals whether it’s with shopping, collecting medicine or anything that doesn’t need physical contact.

Coronavirus has taught the Tory government that yes, they need to shell out billions to the population who have lost their income so they can eat, pay bills and survive. Jings! When have Conservatives ever done anything as socialist as that before?

Hopefully they will no longer let banks run the country and eventually tell bankers how they must play their part in saving the UK and the world.

Once this is over (please God!) many will take fewer holidays abroad; everyone will have learned more about cooking (rather than ready meals and take-aways), avoiding food waste, plus how to eke out toilet rolls; and local businesses, pubs, restaurants, shops, venues and just about everything will be deluged with customers. Going back in time for the better, together with technology taking us forward is a good combo.

What we don’t know is how many will have suffered and lost their lives – the highest emotional cost and worst news of all. We can expect large city gatherings in memoriam and remembrance of those who died and in ­support of their grieving families.