The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a once-in-a-century event, a tragedy for thousands and a source of deep anxiety. But in darkness there is light; in tackling the most impossible challenges, human ingenuity forges new and positive paths forward. In his introduction, Professor Graham Davey argues that context and perspective are the best ways to alleviate the personal anxiety created by the pandemic and lockdown – context offered by the pieces in this collection. From leading science, society and culture writers and editors comes a look at 20 ways the human response to coronavirus could help to make the world a better place.