I think it's going to need a lot this winter

I'm reading a book about Shakespeare at the moment; it's full of surprises.

Top of the list is the revelation that 16th Century England - and London in particular - had its own Lockdown and its own R number.

Plague was rife and every time the death-rate in London rose above 40 (and it did a lot apparently) all the pubs were shut and meetings and gatherings were banned, expect for church services.

In 1592 things were really bad and all the London theatres were closed for 2 years;  actors were out of work and the majority of theatres never re-opened.  The Globe did though.

So - nothing new.

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