It has affected me in the typical ways: isolation from friends and some family, far more virtual and online correspondence and work opportunities, and increased anxiety about the interactions I do have with others. Also, not an insignificant amount of anxiety and concern about normal, everyday ailments, like a mild headache or brief sore throat. It has also meant a lot less travel and driving in general. Masks, masks, masks. Finally, it has added to the number of political topics I have to debate about on social media.

I have not been concerned about uncertainty because it is to be expected with a new virus or disease. I simply try to stay updated almost daily on the latest news, findings, and best practices for dealing with covid.

There has definitely been additional stress in my life. I have learned ways that work for me to deal with it, and to be honest, sometimes I just don't deal with it very well. Usually, I just try to slow down, think about bigger picture things and find something relaxing to do. Sometimes that is reading, watching a mindless show on television, or getting some exercise.

Masks and protocols. Obviously, during stay-at-home orders I did just that and was lucky enough that my job could be done entirely remotely...and I still had a job. In mid-June, I went back to work in person and have been ever since. Once I was back, we had typical standards in place. PPE and protocols, more Zoom meetings, fewer in-person transactions, etc. Overall, not much has changed for my work life compared to many others.

I do. It's a typical work-from-home office. The only thing I made sure to do was purchase a really comfortable work chair once the stay-at-home orders took effect.

Obviously, more Zooming and recording for later. But, to maintain a feeling of "being there" I replaced typical text-based discussion forums with required video recordings for discussion. So, students were required to answer a question and respond to others with a short 1-2 minute video response. Being able to see faces and hear voices adds so much more to the nuances of human communication. Plus, you cannot just copy and paste those kinds of answers.

Video conferences and Zoom have not really changed my life or work other than the sheer volume of those types of communications. They mostly work just as well and offer some possibilities like screen-sharing which is easier than when meeting in-person sometimes. I really wouldn't describe this as either better or worse than before. It's just the new normal.

(About supporting students:)  Understanding and compassion. As we've learned, a pandemic impacts different people in different ways. Everyone's circumstances are different and some adapt better than others. However, I did find it interesting to learn that teens and college-aged students have not suffered as much as adults in some ways, like mental health, for one. They were already used to staring at screens, communicating via phones and with video, so that change affected them far less. But, for those that are struggling, offering support, more time to complete projects, and sometimes just listening are the ways I have supported them best, I believe.

Not much has changed other than it being entirely remote/online communications. Which takes its own toll, of course. I think we are all looking forward to the future, as the pandemic is controlled, when we can gather again at the end of the week to just share stories, debrief, and decompress.

(About helpful technologies:)   Zoom. Teams. While not new, they have offered communication opportunities to keep most things up and running. Education would have looked very different without these kinds of tools. Other than that, no, not much else is new.

I think my superpowers are simply being grounded, rational, and mostly optimistic. I get neither very excited nor depressed. The pandemic has definitely tested my metal in these areas, but I've been proud that my demeanor has not changed much and I remain someone others can count on for a helpful or cheery outlook when they need it.

I believe it has become clear just how much exhaling and inhaling we do. And we share and take it all in from others. I suspect either masks or social distancing, or both, are here to stay even post-Covid. For example, I've realized if I wear a mask or stay away from folks, I likely would not contract the various flu strains that go around. I think large indoor groups of people will look very different going forward. I think classrooms, movie theaters, etc., will forever be altered, or should be.

I think what I will never forget is how poorly our nation and government have handled this pandemic. Which also trickled down to various other organization administrators and managers who followed their lead. It all could have been managed so much better, and was by other countries.

I think we have to hold our elected officials and government accountable and responsible for being prepared. Funding groups that manage and research pandemics is a must. That is all I can really do.