It me


This survey doesn’t surprise me in the least.

Earlier this fall, a McMaster University research team published the findings of a broad survey that sought to take the temperature of the university and college workplace almost a year-and-a-half into the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the major findings won’t come as a surprise to academic staff: many of the 475 respondents reported that the COVID-19 distancing restrictions had eroded productivity, as labs closed, field research activities ceased and parents of young children, particularly women, found themselves juggling domestic and professional duties.

But two other findings offered a more somber and textured look at the impact of the pandemic. More than half of those surveyed said they thought more or much more about death than they had before the World Health Organization declared a global state of emergency in March 2020.

I didn’t always have to fake enthusiasm about going in to work; I am in my dream job. Right now, though, the only things keeping me going are the students — they’re a good bunch who deserve my full attention. I just have to work to make sure they get it.

Comments

  1. sophiab says

    Hey

    I see my own anger and feelings about this a lot in your posts, and I totally get it’s fully understandable to feel these things. But as an anonymous commenter, who loves your blog, is there any way you can manage to ease off work a bit, or get some help? Anger is natural, but I feel for you (and me, to be honest, i should take my own advice) it’s got to the point of being a bit self-destructive.

    Can you do something in the next week to make you smile? Can you plan something in the next few months (grandkids?) That you will enjoy? Can you talk to someone (wife, therapist, doctor, kids, friends?) About how you feel.

    Not trying to troll, just concerned, feel free to delete if better for you. It just sucks so much for everyone right now I feel we should be extra vigilant with each other.