This painting was inspired by a vitrine in a historic area in Broome, in Western Australia, in which it exhibits a miniature replica of the unique corrugated iron houses in Carnarvon St. circa 1918. I read in an old newspaper clipping that at about that time a steamer arrived in Broome "with an epidemic on board". Now a century later, like the people under the glass of this display cabinet, we too are shut off from the outside world. Safe, but families and friends cannot visit, shops closed, no tourists. We are encouraged to socially distance and to wash our hands.