'On 11 March, World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concluded his opening address for the COVID-19 pandemic media briefing with neat, alliterative tips for the world: ‘Prevention. Preparedness. Public health. Political leadership. And most of all, people.’ At the time I was listening to this announcement, a background murmur on the nearby radio, I was also peeing on a small plastic stick. Within minutes, I knew I was pregnant.' (Introduction)