Spotlight

Bridging Isolation During the COVID Pandemic

A Message from the Executive Committee

?“The pedagogy of suffering means that one who suffers has something to teach … and thus has something to give.” —Arthur W. Frank

When we last wrote to you on March 17, days after UCI announced that all in-person activities would cease, we knew in general terms that the pandemic and ensuing practices of social distancing to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus would cause significant disruption and distress for many. Now, almost 2 months into pandemic life, we are beginning to sense the shape of the loss, in lives and in livelihoods.

We have heard through stories told by local and national media, through anecdotes shared by our individual networks, accounts of the devastation wrought by COVID-19. Stories of those dying alone in hospitals, with family and friends who can only say goodbye through a mobile device; stories of people without work for weeks on end; stories of prisoners and detainees terrified of infection due to close quarter confinement; tribal nations and communities of color disproportionately devastated with infection and death; stories of students living in unsafe and insecure living conditions even as they are expected to maintain academic continuity. The Executive Committee of the Center for Medical Humanities bears silent, though engaged witness to stories of suffering created by the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020. We write now to tell you that we hear these stories.

This past year, the Center led a series of events around the theme of suffering, what suffering—if we pay attention to it—reveals about human existence that no other existential condition can reveal. We write to you now to listen to your stories. And because all have suffered through this pandemic—you and us included—we all have something to learn from one another. We hope to learn from you through your stories so that in bearing witness to what you have experienced we might also discover what you have learned about survival, care, and generosity.

We want to hear from our community what you have been through these last 2 months. Write as little or as much as you would like or feel comfortable. Your story will not be shared with anyone beyond the Executive Committee but know that every story will be read. We stand ready to be your silent witnesses. If you feel so moved, please go to this Google Form and respond to some prompts in the form of questions. You need not respond to all of them, but instead write to the questions that spur your story.

If you would like to share your story with a larger public, please let us know so that we can identify what might be the most appropriate and sensitive way of disseminating them with others.

We will leave this Form open through the months of May and June. Be safe. Be well. Take good care of yourself and others.