There’s a general consensus that the current coronavirus pandemic is changing our society in some way. For the most part people are referring to interpersonal aspects, how we treat each other and a contemplation of the important things in life.

Plastics are more or less sidelined in these reflections on humanity, but it’s polymers that are enabling us to contain the virus in the first place – from nonwovens for the increasingly scarce masks over pipettes and equipment for tests down to latex gloves and components for ventilators. None of this would be possible without plastics. Even the previously much-maligned plastic packaging is making something of a comeback during the pandemic! But when things are back to business as usual, will it also be back to bashing as usual?