I started noticing almost immediately the almost cute cartoon graphics that popped up beside newspaper bylines and under television reports to graphically signify content about the virus, and I watched with interest as other illustrators turned the now iconic virus into, variously, wrecking balls, destructive waves - even a microphone! Then I too was pushed into service, with - to date - two Covid-19 cover designs for the Scottish Left Review.

In the first (Issue #117) the virus looms over Earth like a belligerent alien presence, blocking the sun and throwing a long shadow across Europe and beyond. Issue #118 they asks if we are ready to rebuild after the crisis' destruction? The virus has crashed through a brick wall leaving a virus-shaped hole (here I acknowledge the influence of Wile.E. Coyote on my early years) - but there's a bright blue sky behind it. Ever the optimist.

These covers , below, are shown alongside a personal response to the crisis, after remarking to a colleague about a 'Sisyphean task.' Here, the Greek legend is pushing a virus, not a rock, uphill - a hill that shows  the 'r' rate increasing. Hopefully that particular struggle is far behind us.