We are lucky

We are lucky. My biggest problem over the last few weeks has been a headache and low productivity. Friends and colleagues at ETH Zurich have bigger problems. Some doctoral students feel like their super-visors are trying to micromanage them remotely. On the other hand, supervisors may feel like their employees are just slacking off at home. Those with kids have to spend hours teaching them and correcting their homework. Researchers have had to contemplate what to do with mice that have taken months, if not years, to breed.

We are lucky. My sisters are both medical doctors. The younger one works in the emergency room of CHUV. This is the university hospital in Lausanne, one of the worst hit in Switzerland. My older sister lives in the UK and is married to a wonderful man. He has the misfortune of being immunocompromised. Despite the risks to her husband, she still goes to work, deciding who to refer to the strained specialist services. Among all this, my father is most worried about his best friend, whose urgent chemotherapy was delayed due to fears of infection.

We are lucky. In the two weeks following 20 March 2020, Italy lost nearly twice as many people to COVID-19 on average per day as it did to battle during the Second World War (adjusted for population growth, sources: [1], [2], [3], and [4]). Thousands of retired, and therefore high risk, doctors and nurses have answered a call which poses a significant chance of dying in the line of duty. It would not be easy for me to press a button with even a 0.1% chance of death.

Over the last month, people have lost their livelihood or health. Rather than despair, let us take a step back and see how we can lend a helping hand. Unless our research brings direct relief from the current pandemic, it is really not that urgent. Our teaching mission, on the other hand, is! Fortunately, a lot of technological solutions are already in place, enabling us to fulfill most, if not all, of this role from home.

Outside of our work, we can support those around us who are stretched incredibly thin. Maybe they are high risk, their business is struggling, or they work in essential fields such as the healthcare sector, grocery providers, or logistical services. Here we can make small personal gestures that go a long way. We can teach their kids digitally, leave a cake on their doorstep, or buy them flowers.

At times we all feel stressed, scared, and confused – and rightfully so! We have been thrown into a strange new situation and have many legitimate concerns. Answers and solutions will come, as will daily routines and calm. In the meantime, we can support each other and grow together. If our colleagues, supervisors, or employees are not living up to our expectations, letting them know we are there for them might just make their (and our) day a little bit brighter.

When I feel overwhelmed by the situation, I pick up a book, care for my plants, or build a toy rocket. Your de-stressors will be different. But we can all spare a thought for the people on the front line who keep our problems small, and remember: We are lucky!