Buzz
With schools shutting down, businesses closing their doors, widespread layoffs, and the constant fear of illness, every hour brings a new concern. Amid this chaos, many of us are also expected to seamlessly switch from office work to remote work, pretending everything is business as usual.
We simply can’t. 'Working from home' is entirely different from 'working from home during a pandemic.' The current situation is unlike anything seen in modern American history, and it’s perfectly acceptable to not be at peak productivity. Feeling stressed is entirely normal.
If finding gratitude feels impossible right now, consider this: those of us who can work remotely are among the fortunate. Many have lost their jobs, while others must continue working—whether in hospitals, grocery stores, or other essential roles—putting themselves at risk of illness.
That said, this situation is undeniably challenging. The last time the United States faced a pandemic of this magnitude was a century ago. None of us have ever lived through a time when so much of the world has been shut down for so long, with such severe restrictions on our movements, activities, and even whom we can embrace. Never before have so many of us been so concerned for the health and safety of our loved ones.
While we’ve endured national crises before and faced threats beyond our control, we’ve never encountered such a pervasive existential danger. Expecting people to work as if everything is normal is utterly unreasonable.
In recent weeks, we’ve been reminded that Isaac Newton made groundbreaking discoveries while in quarantine during the plague. Similarly, Shakespeare may have turned to writing sonnets when theaters closed due to rising death tolls.
We’re striving to manage our finances while ensuring the safety of everyone around us from an invisible, life-threatening danger.
Kudos to Newton and Shakespeare, but we’re not them. Many of us juggle cooking, cleaning, and childcare alongside our paid jobs, which are essential for keeping a roof over our heads. We don’t have the luxury of time to develop groundbreaking theories or create literary masterpieces.
While I’d love to use these unusual times to focus on passion projects, it’s just not feasible. For one, time is a constraint. (As mentioned earlier.) If you’re in the same boat, it simply means you’re grounded in reality, like most people.
Before you criticize yourself for not being more productive, let’s consider why this isn’t a typical work-from-home scenario.
Unless you’re free from significant family responsibilities, have no concerns about loved ones’ health, and aren’t facing added work stress due to the economic downturn—and you also possess an extraordinary ability to tune out the constant stream of bad news—you’re likely grappling with a host of new worries and duties.
This situation is far from normal. This isn’t your typical work-from-home arrangement. Most of us are barely managing, striving to balance financial stability with protecting those around us from an unseen, life-threatening danger.
Currently, this involves juggling childcare, homeschooling, cooking, cleaning, and managing anxiety, all while worrying about health precautions. Oh, and there’s a meeting in thirty minutes, but your child just got hurt and is bleeding. Plus, there’s that report due tomorrow that you still need to find time to finish. It’s overwhelming.
Beneath these already overwhelming daily concerns lies a deeper, more paralyzing fear: you could fall ill and die, leaving behind those who rely on you, or unknowingly infect a vulnerable loved one. Every outing feels risky, and even the smallest interactions carry a sense of dread.
This isn’t about 'working from home and being more productive because there’s no commute.' This is a modern-day plague. If anyone suggests otherwise, firmly correct them. And don’t forget to remind yourself of the same.
