I've knocked around a bit now and as the UK reacted to the spread of the new pandemic,

my thoughts turn to the last generational public health crisis. During that middle five years of the 80s,

all one was dealing with was death and trying to do something about it.

Like coronavirus in the mid-80s, HIV and AIDS had no cure. All that could be done was to stop

its spread. It was a life and death brief. You have life, this is death that will come and visit you.

You're listening to stories of our times and the Times and the Sunday Times. I'm David Ronovich.

Today, the lessons from a past pandemic. This is a passenger announcement. You can now book your train on Uber. I get 10% back in credits to spend on Uber eats so you can order your own fries instead of eating everyone else's.

Trains, now on Uber. Tees and sees apply.

Check the Uber app.

Hello, I'm John Curtis.

And I'm Rachel Wolf.

We want to tell you about our new podcast, Trendy from Toy Toys. It's all about what people think and why

politicians do what they do. Each week we're going to look at the most important

social, political and economic trends in the hope that we can come to a better

understanding of where we are as a country. New episodes will be available every

Thursday morning. Search for Trendy wherever you get your podcast. There is now a danger that has become a threat to us all.

In the 1980s, I was a young television journalist and the message from the government couldn't have been clearer.

It is a deadly disease and there is no known cure

a series of ads played on national television on billboards and hoardings and this one stood out

So far it's being confined to small groups, but it's spreading. So protect yourself.

There's a volcano and in the wake of its eruption a mighty hand chisels a message on a dark slate monolith.

It could be a gravestone.

...