Eight months ago, the Coronavirus struck hard and quickly changed our personal and work lives in unimaginable ways. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken over 200,000 American lives and over 1 million people globally. It has negatively affected people’s mental health and wellbeing due to worry and stress, social isolation, loneliness, and job loss. Add the political divide and numerous crises, 2020 has left many mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted.
The tiredness, uncertainty, and feelings of isolation are normal and justified. When you begin to forget what it is like to regularly see colleagues, friends, and family - hang in there. There are silver linings, boundless resilience, and compassion all around you.
The internet allows us to connect with friends and loved ones while quarantining at home. Children seem to be less frequently infected and, in general, with milder symptoms. Amid the chaos that has defined the pandemic response, progress toward a vaccine, or vaccines, has moved at unprecedented speed, has been steady and scientific.
I am thankful for my health, my family, my friends and my colleagues. I am hopeful for 2021. Gratitude is good for your mental and physical health, it can help you relax and its effects can help you stay well. Take a few moments to think about the things for which you are thankful and the silver linings that you see. Share them, anonymously if you like at https://forms.gle/YsU3uzrWtbo87qi56. We will include them in the next issue of Scenes.
In the meantime, care for yourself. Stay connected to the people you love. Enjoy simple pleasures. Most importantly, stay safe and hang in there!