They think it’s all over

It’s all over ... all the front pages this morning. But It’s only a game (of two halves + extra time + penalties,) in the middle of a global pandemic! The national news agenda is distracted by the first Scottish competition qualifying win at men’s football in 22 years! Adults wept on breakfast tv. Seasoned radio broadcasters acknowledged lumps in their throats. A plea was made to the First Minister to grant a public holiday!
Meanwhile every theatre, concert hall and almost all cinemas across the land are dark, and silent, with no end of these enforced Covid closures in sight. It is at times like this that a civilised society grows up and looks at itself in the mirror. Does it really prize the ability to kick a leather orb into the back of the goal net above the ability to write, compose, stage and perform stunning works of art? Is it time to prize all performance equally?