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"Goodbye...and hello"—How the COVID-19 is connecting us more than ever

I haven't seen my family from across the country in ages. But the other day, I found myself on a Zoom video call with them.

But the fact of the matter is that I haven't seen anyone in ages. And I'm not sure how to feel about that. I find that I am happier this way. I have no social obligations. I have far more quiet time. When I focus, I see a drastic increase in my productivity. But I also know that I am less connected.

I've noticed the adults around me having virtual school reunions. I call my family more frequently than I did before. Friends that I have not spoken to in months text me. This is a phenomenon. Does separation truly help us love? Does it help us connect? I am not surprised when people I used to speak to on a daily basis communicate with me. I am amazed when people I rarely see reach out.

All of a sudden, we crave human contact. We long to speak to someone. We hang on to every precious moment with others. And we are, more than ever, fully realizing the capabilities of the technology we have at our disposal. 

So is it possible that this time of crisis, of loneliness and isolation, could really be one of fresh and renewed relationships and strengthened bonds? It's a fact: when people struggle together, we get closer. And the world has not seen a struggle of this scale in a long time. So perhaps we will get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see not only a pandemic, but also a surge in humanity. A surge in embracing both our technology and science and research and our primal ability to love and connect and feel safe.

So I encourage you, as I encourage myself. 

Make a new friend this week. Give someone a compliment. Ask someone a thought-provoking question. Send them a funny image–with free time comes new memes.  
Let's embrace this new life. Let's embrace being connected.

Wishing all of you the best,
Sam

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