It is an achingly beautiful spring day here in France, as I write this article.

The sun is blazing, the air is crisp and the birds are singing as I am locked down at home in one of the harshest self-confinement rules ever imposed by the country.

Ever since March 17 (2020), I cannot take my dog out for walks without a signed permit, and even then we cannot stray more than 500 metres from the house.