Loneliness — The Secret Pandemic That’s Destroying Lives

Is Our Lack Of Community Harming Us?

Photo by Abenezer Shewaga on Unsplash

Few people would disagree that Covid-19 has had a massive impact worldwide and has ushered in sweeping changes that have remained even now the virus is under control. The change that relates to this article is a large upswing in home and hybrid working and a significant downswing in going out to socialise. Many people report having far less day-to-day contact with other people, and I feel this has created a secret pandemic; loneliness. It’s also been on my mind lately as loneliness at Christmas can be a big issue for many.

Home Working

Most companies were happy to allow home working during the pandemic, and in most countries, it was mandatory anyway. So, it meant that many workers who had never had the option or even the interest in home working did so for well over a year. Here are just a few reasons even work-from-home sceptics found they loved it:

• No commute. Unless you live close enough to walk to work, every mode of transport is stressful. Public transport may not turn up, traffic jams or break downs in the car, lunatic motorists if you’re a cyclist. Walking from your bedroom to your desk is a joy by comparison.
• It’s cheaper. No money spent on lunches, expensive coffees or…