THINKING positively, we are another week closer to the end of our present crisis. I know that this can be scant consolation to any who are enduring stress and worry caused by illness, economic hardship or business uncertainty. The sooner that we can have some hope of a return to more normal times, the better. It is not easy for those who govern and have to make these decisions, and they are undoubtedly fully aware of the difficulties being caused.

While it seems that all the news is about cancellations and is generally downbeat, there are also rays of hope too. Almost completely overlooked has been the news that German racing is ready, subject to approval, to return on May 1st, with six weeks of the sport being conducted in dedicated venues and behind closed doors. Should this happen, and be followed by others, it would certainly give hope to many in our industry.

Governments do not need to have any extra demand being placed on their finances though additional loss of jobs.

The fact that racing continues behind closed door in Australia had a positive effect on trade at this week’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, and while online auctions may be a scenario that we would prefer not to contemplate as a norm, it does demonstrate how important it is to keep the wheels of commerce turning too.

Royal Ascot could be staged behind closed doors and hopefully it will be. Its long-term importance to the breed is considerable, and we will await developments on that front with interest. Any move to return life to normal is always predicated on the health of human beings not being endangered or compromised.

I was disheartened this week to see headline writers and broadcasters go to town on the remark made by Professor Patrick Mallon on Thursday, when he warned of the potential that this holiday weekend could be Ireland’s Cheltenham in terms of the spread of coronavirus if people travelled, and forecasting that if this happened we could be facing an “absolute disaster” in two weeks’ time.

This was wholly contradictory to the comments made previously by Ireland’s chief medical officer, the hugely respected Dr Tony Holohan, who said that there has been no link reported or identified between clusters or significant numbers of coronavirus cases and those who attended the Cheltenham Festival.

I have tried unsuccessfully to make contact with Professor Mallon to seek further enlightenment as to the evidence for his claim. Such remarks are at best unhelpful and marginalising, and at worst are not based on facts. I wish Professor Mallon could have clarified them for me.

Meanwhile, let’s all play our part, don’t travel unnecessarily, and stay safe and well.