Covid-19 Update

Individuals today, across the world, find themselves amid a globally disruptive event, the Covid-19 pandemic.  Global markets are experiencing extreme volatility, jobs are at risk, and lifestyles derailed by fear and uncertainty in the face of a disease that has hit the world like a tsunami. 

As institutions struggle to calculate and adjust to the potential costs and dangers arising from this extreme disruption, individuals wrestle with the practical and existential implications of social distancing and lock downs, while limiting themselves to essential functions.  The initial absence of a strong and centralized Federal response to the Corona virus led to disparate bottom-up responses to the dynamically unfolding climate of social distancing, consumer hoarding, and a general climate of discomfort and withdrawal.  Private and public institutions have made coordinated efforts to flatten the curve and health providers around the world are working around the clock to respond to this evolving crisis.

Personally, I have admired the attentiveness and responsiveness of local businesses in the face of this pandemic.  My sympathy is with them; I know that small and mid-sized businesses are really suffering right now.  How can we balance the need to curtail the spread of this infectious disease without undermining the systems that hold our society together?  One thing is for sure: there is no simple way to navigate this climate.

Right now, we are all out of our comfort zones.  We are glued to our screens watching heat maps of the virus’ spread; checking other countries’ reactions to prepare for our own.  The climate changes day to day and uncertainty fills the air.  Meanwhile, we find ourselves on the backfoot as new restrictions (e.g. curfews) are announced every day; who can say what tomorrow will bring?  Time will tell.  Certainly, we will learn a lot from this unique episode in human history.  The Corona virus has made us acutely aware of the unpredictable nature of our little global community.  From this humbling experience, I draw the conclusion that, despite “social distancing”, we are all much closer to each other than we realize.

I would like to offer a sort of listicle of practical advice for this time of disruption.  How can we balance healthy fear while mitigating inevitable feelings of panic and dread?  How can we remain mentally fleet footed while physically locked-in?

1.       Educate yourself.  We are being inundated by information as our inboxes are flooded, while social media and internet browsing overwhelm us with novel suggestions.  In the face of such an overwhelming quantity of data, we must prioritize quality (e.g. information from the CDC).  At the institutional level, I recommend Michael Bang-Petersen’s article on the need to express unpleasant truths and “necessary precautions and clear communication about why these precautions are necessary to motivate people to follow the advice.” Click here to see the original article. 

2.       Engage responsibly.  People are using virtual interfaces like Zoom and FaceTime to overcome the hurdle of social distance.  See guidance from the APA here.

3.       Support small businesses.  Personally, I feel comforted by supporting local restaurants as they strive to adapt by providing curbside or traditional delivery services.  I am very grateful for their efforts and sacrifices and know that remembering to support my favorite restaurants is a great way to improve my mood.

4.       Do it yourself: Hopefully, we all emerge from this as better home cooks.  Finding ways to create delicious and healthy meals is a great way to take things into your own hands.  Cooking for yourself is most comforting when it is done with attention and care.  It is worth putting in your best effort even if you don’t have guests.  And you can always show off on Instagram. Studies have shown that everyday creativity can have important mental health benefits.

5.       A time for art?  Listen to music; visit the websites of museums or Google Arts and Culture; try your own hand at drawing or start a journal.  These are all great ways of keeping yourself stimulated and refreshed. Our time is worth what we make of it. 

6.       The positive side of disruption.  Disruption is the counterpart of change.  Many people have used the Covid-19 pandemic as an opportunity for reflection over essential aspects of their lives.  It is easier to be critical than correct and even harder to make long-lasting changes to our lives against the gravity of habit.  Disruption provides perspective and opportunity, not just uncertainty and displacement.

We can take advantage of the suboptimal situation by optimizing our environment to fit our needs. It is an opportune time for cleaning, reorganizing, and enhancing the beauty of our domestic spaces, in addition to stocking up on necessities and small pleasures of life.  Ask Marie Kondo!