It's a grim pun. The coronavirus has done terrible things to families around the world. And no one's immune. Everyone knows someone whose family has been torn apart by its devastation. And it looks as if a long winter must be endured without the promised vaccine.

But — but — there are signs the dreaded virus is bringing relationship wisdom. As unlikely as it seems, the perennial blessing, love, is taking new form — being relearned, actually. As improbable as it seems, the harsh restrictions meant to contain this scourge are teasing out the purest instincts of both genders in their eternal yearning for one another. It's as if we're back in school, being educated in the realities of affection and desire ... and being restrained/retrained by a harsh instructor. My son Scott believes our Earth is a schoolhouse, its wisdom readily available for learning the lessons we need to live and love to the fullest. It seems to me this awful virus is bringing us some very clear love lessons, and I, for one, am listening closely.

Consider virtual dating ... slow and distant, with absolutely zero possibility of the painful self-recriminations so likely to infect morning-after thoughts. Is that not a huge boon to the (mostly female) dating world? (Rhetorical question.) But beyond the sexual, so much of this new see-but-don't-touch togetherness has the potential to be clear and realistic, unclouded by high hopes and fuzzy thinking, putting the second date far ahead of the first. Isn't dating from a distance heaven-sent? It may well replace that defensive, nail-biting first date so loaded with disinformation (sigh).

With both sexes impatient to see the other — the male species known to be a bit more so — this new kind of get-together must slow them down. (Anecdote: Some months ago, "Single File" was heralding a new dating app that deliberately delayed the visual until the couple had gotten to know each other. Many said that men wouldn't go for it, as they are more influenced by the visual — freely translated, they won't invest time and money until they see what she looks like (sigh).

But right now, virtual dating gives men no choice but to spend some time exchanging thoughts with a voice (sometimes more, but not much more). Yes, women, too, must abide by those limitations, but in my experience, they are a bit more willing to suspend judgement before making the final decision. This "virtual" phase may well be more relevant for the male of the species, but if the shoe fits ...

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