Reading this is like holding a mirror up, except we are still 100% virtual and probably will be for the rest of the academic year. You aren’t alone. Weirdly, I also teach HCI. This quarter I am teaching game design and it’s proven to be a solace for many students. At the beginning of the class, I gave a short talk on why it’s ok to make games in a pandemic. That games can be used to critique the world or hide from it, both reasonable responses.

My own health is getting worse as the days shorten. While I am still corona free, being at home all the time takes its toll. Now is the time to be kind to yourself. The old saw about “put your own oxygen mask first” finally rings true. My mantra is “this is not the new normal, and never will be.” I hope I’m right.

Thank you, I feel less alone.