Canberra worshipped alone on Sunday. Churches held online services but, as far as I could see, the services were one-way - broadcasts from the priest of whatever denomination to a congregation (of whatever size).
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Partaking on the last day of 14 days of home isolation was an odd experience (if partake is the right word for taking part remotely in the kitchen).
The Anglican service from St John's Church involved only two people, the rector, Canon Paul Black, and Canon Margaret Emil - the number one and two in non-church parlance.
They shared the 23 minute service, one speaking and the other giving responses normally given by the congregation.
She read the sermon on the theme that "God is with us in all that we face".
The most resolute atheist might have been moved just as the picture of the Pope praying alone in St Peter's Square in Rome moves me even though I am not a Catholic.
It seems to me that in dark times, people asserting the need to be good are to be cherished whatever your belief.
Leaders of the main faiths in Canberra met last week and issued a statement of togetherness.
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Muslim, Jew, Hindu and Christians of all stripes declared: "May all religious people in the ACT do their part alongside others to make a valuable contribution to our common home in our present troubles."
And so to Woolies after my fortnight's isolation - from the sublime to the very worldly.
People were keeping their distance, circling round each other - as it should be.
I asked the boy at the checkout how it was all going. He said people were behaving well and, by the way, I couldn't buy more than two pairs of rubber gloves.
"Have a good day," we said to each other.
At which point, a grumpy man in the queue rounded on the check-out boy for talking too much. He also invaded his space.
There was a rumpus as customers scolded the grump.
Difficult times ahead.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
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Steve Evans
Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues."
Steve Evans is a reporter on The Canberra Times. He's been a BBC correspondent in New York, London, Berlin and Seoul and the sole reporter/photographer/paper deliverer on The Glen Innes Examiner in country New South Wales. "All the jobs have been fascinating - and so it continues."
