[Vulnerability & Power - XIII]
There is nowhere to turn to avoid hearing about the COVID pandemic. While I know a lot of people that have contracted COVID, I also know many that haven’t.
Perhaps a more deadly “virus” is the epidemic of loneliness. I’m not sure that I’ve met someone that has not experienced loneliness. (This is not just another “what-about-ism” to disregard COVID, I promise.)
The reason they are related is because of the tie between social disconnection and immune-disfunction or immunological weakness. Our ability to resist viral infection and recover from illness is significantly weakened when we feel lonely. We are quite literally (immunologically) stronger together.
In a season of viral hysteria (much of which is warranted), social connection, belonging, community, and participation in meaningful work together is more valuable than ever.
Lacking it could very well kill us.
