On either side of the Atlantic there is an air of despondency amongst those who support true democracy and the pillars it stands on: equality, freedom of speech, rule by majority, minority rights … and so forth. The political centre and left-of-centre cannot comprehend the mess they have got themselves into and the gloom stretches as far as Australia ....

From March 1st, 2020, Luxembourg became the first country to make all public transport free. This was done to ease congestion caused by commuters travelling within the tiny principality, as well as to and from neighbouring countries. The reaction from many was: “Wow! Really? What a brilliant idea! Why can’t larger countries do the same? It makes so much sense.”

Like a punch-drunk parrot, Trump ducks and weaves, hurling insults back at his assailants. Yet he remains there on his perch. No one person, no one incident, or collection of incidents - now stacked up to the rafters - able to deliver the final blow. Quite a paradox then, that in the end he could be toppled by a microscopic virus: that Covid-19, this tiny speck of life, could finally knock him out for the count!