At a time of national health crisis, many millions of people are rising to the occasion

Vast reserves of kindness and duty and common effort, that were largely concealed only weeks ago, have been uncovered.

From hundreds of thousands of people coming forward to volunteer as NHS helpers, to the low paid workers who put themselves at risk to keep society running, to the displays of gratitude for our frontline health staff, people across the UK are rising to the occasion.

Yesterday Prince Charles opened by video link the Nightingale hospital in London he described it as “without doubt a spectacular and almost unbelievable feat of work”.

That the heir to the throne was himself infected by coronavirus is a vivid illustration of the truth that the disease ignores borders or social rank. The prince’s address was a moving tribute to the national response.

In the meantime, tens of millions of people are adjusting to lockdown and the concept of social distancing. Shaking hands seems a distant memory, and people are standing well apart in, or outside, shops.

Some of the big challenges, such as loneliness and job losses, are only in their infancy. But if such widespread adherence to government guidelines holds up, perhaps data will emerge in coming weeks that shows Covid-19 coming under control and brings closer a slow return normality.