Text Only

Think about the people closest to you. Tell us about how the coronavirus has affected them, and their life.

Fortunately, many of the people I'm close to have been minimally affected by COVID, aside from socially distancing. My husband is able to conduct his work through telehealth, and many of my friends who are in the mental health field (as I am) are able to conduct their work virtually as well. My parents are also able to work from home; there was talk of my stepfather getting laid off, but thus far that hasn't happened. My dad got laid off early on in the pandemic (this is not unusual--he has been laid off from countless jobs) and struggled to find work. He said that he went on several interviews, but it seemed like places were just advertising that they were hiring without actually intending on hiring anybody. Certainly a frustrating situation. He was able to get hired a few months ago, though, and seems to be enjoying his new work. I worry about my husband's mental health. He struggles with the isolation, as well as living apart. He and I have lived apart for nearly 2 years now as we finish up our respective graduate programs. I am able to manage the distance much better than he does. He struggles with the virtual work; he is a bit tech-averse and is fatigued by the screen time by the end of the day. He doesn't feel the same sort of connection to others virtually as he does face-to-face, which contributes to his sense of isolation. It doesn't help that the apartment he moved to several months ago is a piece of shit--falling apart a bit, roaches everywhere, you name it. He started therapy a few months ago, thank GOD. It's hard to be in the mental health field and be married to someone who is struggling with their mental health. I know how I would respond to him if he was my client, but I feel at a loss at how to respond to him as a wife. I also feel guilty because I am coping much better. The isolation doesn't bother me, nor does the distance. I'm happy he is in therapy now.