What use are words at a time like this? What use are words at a time like this? I am writing this on 27th March as the world is plunging further into the coronavirus crisis. Like many worldwide, I am in virtual 'lockdown' in Australia while the exponential spread of the virus continues. At a follow-up tele-consult with my medical consultant recently, he said that he was apprehensive about the 'calm before the storm' that our health services face. He was deadly serious.