I read Pullman's HDM years ago. Very good. Really, really enjoyed the HBO version. Good acting all 'round, mostly. One or two flat actors. The next season should be fun. Did not like the movie version. Maybe I'll pick them back up and we can do an annoying book club thing.

Was waiting for all the Picards to come out so I could binge. Now it is free for the next month! https://www.space.com/watch-star-trek-picard-free-patrick-stewart-gift.html

My brother and I were discussing your last point earlier today. (I call a sibling a day, rest on the seventh.) The internet and mass media have put a whole new wrinkle into isolation. And into how to tackle a pandemic. The 1918 Flu was full blown before people were really aware of it. I saw a discussion the other day that late-stage boomers and GenXers were raised to be alone and take care of themselves. Me, I'm on the cusp, a Camelot baby, I've known both the internet age and the before times.

What did Hunter Thompson say? "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."