_SOWBO Business Magazine 5th Edition

returned home two hours after going out--paper payment in hand--and went
I
to the landlady's door. I figured once I came in and went through my
immediately
routine I'd be in no mood to hike up her steep front stairs. She asked
decontamination
if I was okay? And before I could formulate an answer asked me. "you still have
me
Relieved when she found out I was not yet destitute, she started in on what
money?"
for small talk with us. Mentally exhausted, I quickly ended the conversation to go
passes
you read the previous paragraph right. I have a decontamination routine. Shoes
Yes,
outerwear get stashed in an area by the door and sprayed with disinfectant. There’s
and
procedure for unpacking, washing, and storing groceries. I’ve practically washed the
a
off my hands, and I wash my face as well when I come in from the outside world.
skin
I’m physically separated from it, the outside world, more specifically its people,
Though
my thoughts all the time now. I have already attended the first of three April
occupy
on stress, anxiety, and mental health concerns related to the pandemic and
webinars
education. Everyone has suddenly become a front-line worker in the realm of
higher
health. Whether you’re an online educator like me, or a mom stuck at home with
mental
sullen teen who’s going to miss graduation, the question “Are you okay?” has taken
a
out the memes online, and you’ll see that the prospect of being holed-up at
Check
with a pile of books or movies isn’t really a hardship for introverts. Yet, even innies
home
me need community. Our communities give us the connection, strength, and support
like
live our lives and achieve our goals. We get collective wisdom from community, and
to
get joy. Now the way we connect is being dictated by a public health crisis. It’s no
we
a matter of wanting to stay in, it’s a requirement – one that’s more painful for
longer
I look into the Zoom video conference, am I see you for the first time without
When
or are those dark circles because you aren’t getting any sleep? Are those
makeup,
humor Facebook posts the result of boredom, or have you, my friend, slipped
gallows
depression? Do I hear tears underneath your voice when we’re on the phone? It
into
never been more important to pay attention, even if we are doing it from a
has
And it’s never been more important to ask, “Are you okay?” and really listen to
distance.
back into isolation.
on new importance and weight.
some than others.
the answer.
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