Cabin Fever: How Do We Live Together Under This Coronavirus Lockdown

In a matter of weeks, the global epidemic has transformed relationships, dating, and sex. Weddings have been postponed, while divorce rates have reportedly soared in China as the crisis has eased. Lovers and family members are suffering aching separations as borders have closed. Prosaic choices, like whether to send a child on a play date, or whether to meet a potential suitor, have become matters of life and death.

Working from home during lockdown is remarkably similar to being trapped in space. But you are in a smaller environment, you have no training and your relationship could crumble

A freezer packed with food. Tins bulging from kitchen cupboards. Wine, whisky and beer stashed away for when only that dull haze will do.

But after the frenetic days of preparing for lockdown, what now for couples and families whose new horizons are four walls and whose immediate company is, for now at least, reduced to those we love?

So, the question is, how do we keep our relationships open and loving during lockdown? Dr Judith Zur, a clinical psychologist, and marital family therapist explains that given the stress of the coronavirus pandemic, many of us will not be at our best emotionally.

Adding to the mix of panic and anxiety, for some, is a primal fear of being trapped.

But anticipating problems can be key to nurturing relationships with those we love. All we have is time to do so.