Guilt in the year of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic

 

The year 2020 has been a year that is best forgotten.  The pandemic had vastly different effects in the population.  Essential workers are the heroes – having to continue working. Many small businesses had to close and lay off their employees. And then are many who are able to work remotely from home. Working from home comes with its challenges. With schools closed, parents with young children have to simultaneously work as well as help the young ones with remote schooling. In addition, one wonders how many children are missing adequate education because of lack of computers and access to reliable network.

How does the guilt factor come into play? For those of us who do not have young school going children, the thought that there are millions of families that have to deal with a multitude of challenges arouses feelings of guilt.  For many having a job and being able to work generates sufficient guilt. Not having the challenges of having to deal with issues related to school age children, that so many are facing, only adds to the guilt. One may try to reach a colleague over the phone and hear a response to the effect that your colleague is driving home after picking up their child during the middle of the day from the tutor (likely because the regular school is closed).  That is when you feel the guilt that you are not faced with these issues.

There is plenty of information on the disparity that exists in the society. However, personal experience is a unique feeling. I hope the situation changes rapidly so that some of us do not have to feel guilty.