I know it's hard to be cooped up with the same people for a long time, no matter how much you love them.

But please, before you rant about it: consider that human beings literally need the presence of others, biologically, or else we start to fall apart mentally & physically.

Then, please friends: consider that some people you probably care about a lot don't have this. They're alone, completely alone, during this. For months now. Those folks, you should know, are dealing with a massive, health-destroying buildup of cortisol, the stress chemical.

Human contact isn't just nice. We physically regulate each other via co-presence. When we're stressed, physical touch tells our bodies to stop pumping out so much body- and mind-damaging cortisol. No human contact in a prolonged crisis approaches a literal definition of torture.

And yet - folks in this situation, like me, are still isolating. We're putting our health to the side for the greater good. We will likely deal with trauma from this for the rest of our lives, and I would guess this will permanently break some folks' ability to trust/connect.

So, please - before you complain again about your wife or about how your kids want too much of your attention or how you wish you could just get some time alone: think about a) who you're complaining to, and b) if you actually do have a problem in the larger scope of this moment.

And if your friends that are isolating alone need a little extra support right now: please, please, please try to give it to them. Do they seem a little needy? It's because they're dealing with what you're dealing with, but completely alone in a body that's actively falling apart