No, this isn't the time to "pick up a new skill, write that book you've been wanting to write, re-connect with the family," or whatever else loads of people have been preaching the quarantine period is for.

At least, it isn't so for everyone. Not if you're a first responder, lonely, financially unstable, suffering from anxiety, ill, grieving. Not if learning to live through a pandemic is the only new skill you can manage

If you're in a place, mentally, financially etc. to exploit this period productively, if you're in a space where this is a time of uninterrupted tranquility, lucky you! I beg you, though, to be understanding of others for whom this is just one long,long, night. #Empathy