Contagion and Isolation

“Is there anybody in there? / Just nod if you can hear me / Is there anyone home? “

Pink Floyd “Comfortably Numb”

As we move further and further through the Covid-19 crisis, the real test of endurance begins to show. The games and distractions are wearing thin. Unanswered questions remain like a relative who won’t leave after the holiday has long since passed.  

This begs the question, “Are we staring into the abyss?”

The answer is, “No.” There is nothing Nietzschean about this strange circumstance the entire world finds itself in. The reason is due to the fact that there is hope. People are recovering. Vaccines and treatments are being tested. People in isolation are finding out new things about themselves, and those they are sharing quarantine with.

There is hope.

This hope is similar to what instructors, curriculum developers, and instructional designers operate in daily.  Objectives are created, curriculum generated, lessons, modules, and courses are constructed in the hopes that they will authentically engage and educate participants. However, there is no guarantee of success.

This begs the true question at the heart of the matter…”So, what do we do?”

Again, the answer is simple. We keep working. We keep creating, designing, developing, and teaching. We look for new ways, and allow experience to teach us what works and what doesn’t. We connect with our learners as best as possible.

Does this shorten the queue to get into the supermarket?...No.

Does this quicken the amount of time in quarantine?...No.

Does this cure the virus?...No.

So what does this do, then?

It keep s us focused. It keeps us on our path, progressing from one day to the next. It keeps us not only searching for meaning, but creating it every day.  

So, whatever it is you do...keep doing it.