In this strange time of “lockdown” we are meant to stay away from people. Not get too close. So we go about our business with this invisible divide between “us” and “them”.

I walked up to see my dad and there he was in his allotment, happily preparing the soil and doing all that gardening stuff I still struggle to understand. And there was this transparent yet very real fence between us - he was close and far all at the same time. And it reminded me of what the government keeps on saying - stay away, don’t get close. So I took out my phone and took this picture.

Later on, I looked at the picture and these words came to me reminding me that a story can be told with an image and words.

Social distancing

What does that really mean?

Keep six feet away, you never know what that person has got

Keep to yourself

Put on the mask

Put on the gloves

Stay away

But what about social interaction?

We weren’t created to be alone

To be untouched

Unseen

Unheard

So look across the six feet and reach out

To your loved ones far away

To the lonely stranger who catches your eye in the queue

Physically far but socially close

We can do this