Seattle and London, 9 April 2020
Dear Friends,
Last week, we invited you to write in to our Open Letters section about your experiences of the pandemic. The response has already been illuminating and heartening. People’s letter exchanges have focused on three main areas: the political implications of the crisis, practical advice and — perhaps most importantly — personal testimonies.
The political ramifications of the pandemic have been preoccupying some of us. Helen Pluckrose and Blake Winter have been arguing about whether governmental lockdown orders constitute authoritarian overreach. Andrew Gauld and Iona have been speculating on the merits of pursuing herd immunity. Vivek Rajkhowa has written about media coverage of the pandemic and the role of the British royalty. Rebecca Christiansen has discussed the disproportionate effects on small businesses.
Some people have written in with advice for dealing with challenges many of us are struggling with for the first time. Holly Smith has provided a guide to dealing with illness while alone; Jefferson Marks offers advice on household repairs. Psychologist Patrick Lockwood has offered to correspond publicly or privately with anyone who needs counselling. If you have expertise in an area relevant to pandemic life, such as homeschooling or remote work, and would be open to receiving letters, let us know.
A number of you have also reached out to express how you are feeling and have provided glimpses of your personal situations. We’ve received letters from across the world, ranging from Alexander Edwards’ account of quarantine in Beijing to Daniel Aviv’s description of the Tel Aviv gay sex scene. This has been invaluable. While we are all dealing with the same global crisis, the danger of contagion has left each household facing it alone and isolated. It’s never been more important, therefore, to keep connection flowing.
It may be intuitively easier for us to understand how difficult the enforced physical solitude has been for outgoing, sociable extroverts. Jan-Helge Lillevik, Gabriel Scorgie and Amy Edwards have written eloquently about the less often acknowledged but very real impact it can have on introverts. Michelle Robertson has movingly described the challenges of trying to look after a young girl who misses her father and friends and juggling single parenthood with working from home. Our own Dayne Rathbone and Ben Alexander have talked about ways to focus amid the anxiety of the current crisis.
It’s a privilege to be able to provide a space for these testimonies and a means for people to connect with each other.
Stay safe and well.
With love,
Jackson and Iona
On behalf of the Letter team
