The Guardian

There are dark times ahead. We have only one weapon: hope

What will we need to survive this deluge of macho politicians, incompetence and lockdowns as the nights draw in? A belief that one day it will be better
A mask-wearing optimist in Wales. Photograph: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

No one talks about the real advantages of masks, do they? Sure, there are the airborne droplets, but there is also the fact that for months now no random bloke has told me: “Cheer up, love. It may never happen.” It has happened. And, no, I am not smiling with my eyes as I have not cleaned my glasses for 18 months.

As you can see, I am looking for small signs of light amid the daily onslaught of doom. Not in some Pollyanna-ish way, but just to get out

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