Déjà vu is French for, literally, “already seen.” Well, that certainly resonates around here, doesn’t it? I’ve been reading the news with my coffee, as is my wont on mornings such as this. I do not want to get into the pathology of the novel cornavirus, because I have absolutely no expertise and nothing to add. However, the news out of Italy got my attention. Words used to describe the nationwide situation include “quarantined” and “shut down.” Upon closer reading, there are loopholes. I suppose there have to be. People can go to work if they must, and they can leave their homes for “emergencies.” A number of shops remain open, but hours for all businesses are severely curtailed, particularly evenings. Tourism, it would appear, has all but vanished. I said I didn’t want to discuss the disease prompting all this, because I have nothing to add. However, I have had the privilege of visiting Italy, and such a state of affairs is hard to imagine. It is such a vivacious and convivial culture, a culture of which the Italian people are justifiably proud and one appreciated by many millions of non-Italian visitors every year. The economic impact will be very harsh. I hope the Italians accomplish what they intend, and things get back to normal soon. The modern world is watching, to be sure. This is something it’s never seen.