Like others, some of the most important people in my life—my friends, my colleagues, and my family—are amongst those most at risk. Like every New Zealander, there are people in my life who I love who are elderly. I took great pleasure recently in telling my mother that she's grounded. I have colleagues who come to work and dedicate themselves to improving the lives of others whilst managing their own compromised immune systems. I have friends who live their lives with long-term medical conditions. Never before have my conversations with these people needed to start by making sure that they have not left their home and that they have what they need to get through a period of physical isolation. Never before have I had to say to them that if we are going to laugh together, celebrate, and comfort each other in the future, then they must not be in physical contact with others. 