On my  Sunday morning walk with Charlie (my dog), I was listening to the podcast, Hidden Brain. This fascinating segment on loneliness reminds us of the importance of social connection.  All the more difficult during this time of physical distancing recommendations. However, physical and social distancing can occur outside of a pandemic.  This isolation - explicit or implicit - can impose physical and psychological challenges.  This got me thinking about lepers. Let me explain.  A few years ago, I had the wonderful experience of going on a pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy (of St. Francis fame).    In the picture to the left, the hill in the background is Assisi, while in the foreground is the former leprosaria San Rufino d'Arce. What struck me when I visited this site was the knowledge that lepers were cast out of the city walls.  They lived within the shadows of the city, yet isolated from the people and their families. While times ...