Will the planes ever take off again?
By Colin
What kind of world will emerge after the virus? What will change, what will remain, what will never be the same again? Will planes fly with the same frequency and ease? Could a commemorative home office week be introduced? A crisis is a time of disquiet and uncertainty; It is a time of change.
Compensating for the grief and loss endured, we should make sure the transformed world is a better one. Being sensible and healthy ensures the decisions we take are genuine and not driven by anger or anxiety. However, there is a certain challenge in staying sane in insane times.
Keeping calm and carrying on is difficult for us stroke researchers as we face a double challenge. Stroke patients are part of the vulnerable population for covid-19. This means we face delays because when life eventually resumes our studies will not. Hospitals will be busy dealing with the aftermath of the pandemic, and we will think about how to ensure the lowest possible risk of infection for participants.
There is a silver lining. Stroke research can, in part, be done remotely. Reading the newest literature, organizing knowledge, analyzing data and of course writing articles can be done remotely. In fact, our team is split up between Switzerland and Ireland, still communicating still trying to improve stroke rehabilitation. The work and routines help to keep up home office morale and additionally, they prevent an illness that plagues even the isolated: The Cabin-Fever.
We face working and living together in isolation for another month, and possibly more. By now I am sure everyone has read at least five guides on how to make a home office work, but what about home living? Everyone who has been on a long flight knows: Sharing private space exhausts even saints. Fortunately, unlike in airplanes, you can open your windows. Some of us can even go outside for walks. Take a break. Take a walk. Listen to a podcast while staring out of an open window. Care for your own mental health, or you will impact negatively on others.
Show compassion, for yourself and your home office or home living colleagues. These are difficult times. Kindness and understanding will make a difference in isolation. Let’s make sure that when we eventually beat the virus, we emerge kinder, stronger and proud. This is our challenge.
In the meantime, don’t forget to wash your hands and we wish everyone a great weekend.
Recent Comments