a covid-19 gnash-up

apologies once more to Ogden Nash

SO it seems we're in the midst of an epidemic, or officially a pandemic,

Though the difference is rather academic.

It just means that lots and lots of us are going to get it,

That is, if you haven't already met it.

The symptoms are a dry cough and high fever

You can get both or you can get eiver

And you can also feel woozy and drowsy and weak as well

(Think the worst party ever where you wake up feeling like hell).

But I should make something of an apology

About the terminology:

I've been calling it coronavirus,

This disease of the coughers and perspirers,

But that's just me being a wise guy

Because that's just the name of a group of viri.

And nor is Covid-19 the name of the disease.

That's what you should call the pandemic, please.

Although I think that's less engaging a name – don't you? –

Than Mad Cow Disease or Spanish Flu.

No, the actual virus is SARS-CoV-2:

Who knew?

So now we're all on lockdown, and for some that's not pleasant.

We're all avoiding each other like the plague that's omnipresent.

We're all at home thinking of things to do, drinking endless cups of tea,

Playing games and making crafts and writing poetry.

Let's hope in a few months it's all behind us and the world is once more clean

And we'll hear no more of the dreadful scourge of Covid-19.