Mary Beard and her guests consider the effects of Covid-19 on creativity and the world of literature and discuss how writing and drama chronicled the HIV-AIDS crisis of the 1980s.

Mary asks why people turn to music in times of crisis, from free concerts streamed by A-list names to benefit singles, cross-balcony singalongs and quarantine choirs. She also asks whether the spirit of sharing and caring change the way we consume music in the long term, or whether the generosity will run out if and when we 'get back to normal'.