“Sharing a burden decreases it whereas sharing a joy doubles it.” This theme came up in several conversations this week. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have become more socially isolated. In February 2020, the Centers for Disease Control recommended that we “social distance,” wear masks, wash hands for 20-seconds, & gather in groups of less than 10 people. The CDC intended these measures to protect us from spreading the COVID-19 virus. However, using the term “Social distance,” instead of “physical distance,” had an unintended effect. That term isolated individuals and cut many of us off from our social connections. We are social beings, built for social connection. Unlike our families, we choose our friends because we value, respect, accept, and admire one another. Friendships are like the icing on the cake of life. That is, savoring time with our friends is the best part of life.
Meeting with my clients via interactive audio-video since February 2020 has allowed me to continue meeting the counseling needs of the people I serve. We would prefer meeting in person when it is safe to do so. To that end, today, I received the first of two COVID-19 vaccine doses. We will need to continue wearing masks, staying at least 6-feet apart, sterilizing surfaces, washing our hands for 20-seconds until our public health experts confirm that the pandemic is under control.