Perhaps it is "lucky", but it will be on May the 4th that my first ever layoff furlough will officially go into effect - which will mean 3 day weeks for the next three months at this workplace. Furlough is something that is usually granted to soldiers and prisoners and I guess that both suit, as I am likely a cannon fodder soldier and definitely a captive prisoner, considering I need the money :)
I have heard from a few people from several points of life now who seem to be struggling with conditions, whether it be because of the way things are getting handled or just the general feeling around the world. This morning one of my colleagues for example was a little upset that the tentative information planning these layoffs from a few weeks ago has changed, as if they weren't tentative at all. Once people get it in their head that something will be a certain way, expectations set in.
In general, Finns are the type of people who love to have precision in the planning, but don't adjust well when plans change - as they so often do - especially in dynamic and exceptional circumstances. For the most part, volatility and uncertainty doesn't seem to suit the culture, which is likely far less risk taking on average than others. Having said that, Finns in general are also pretty stoic (like most of the north) when it comes to dealing with adversity.
But, it isn't from Finland only that I have been approached in various ways and I know that many people are struggling, often silently. People are locked into their homes, socially distanced and lonely - and it seems that they are looking for ways to connect. As a result of the last few days, on my way to the office (I had things to do in office today) I called a couple of friends just to see how they are - i joked with one about whether she had contemplated suicide yet. She is a good friend - this is above board and in line with our humor.
But, it is actually quite a concern for many, especially in Finland, but I am guessing elsewhere. I wonder what the suicide rate story will tell if conditions are protracted. The other interesting metric might be the rate of alcoholism or relapse into substance abuse, as one of the ways of keeping people clean is socialization and relationships.
I wonder how these kinds of rates will change globally and what the knock-on effects might be for the families and friends of people who turn to this as an outlet for whatever the conditions are delivering them. I have heard that in some places domestic violence increased quickly, but I can imagine that with a prolonged lockdown period, drinking, depression from lack of social connection and the work volatility and decrease in incomes - the effects could be far- and long-ranging and possibly create lifetime problems for people who wouldn't have necessarily had these issues except for the exceptional circumstances.
At the end of the day, I wonder if these kinds of outcomes will well overshadow the rates of death of the virus itself, killing many more-. However, they will go under reported and likely not seen as a direct result of the measures taken now - even though they very well could be.
While I can't help everyone, I am going to make it part of my daily routine to call a friend or two I might not normally and just see how they are doing, have a chat about the weather and the plans for the upcoming Spring and Summer - considering travel is off the cards. Just talk a bit. While it might not help, at least when I was young and in a bad place, it would have helped me to have someone call and ask what I was up to from time to time, even if I wasn't up to anything of consequence.
Would it make a difference for you?
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
I was also told divorce/couple break-up numbers are up..
it is definitely a difficult time for all..
Your mention of the Finns and then how they cope reminded me of a show I watched some years ago about how Tango halls were sweeping the nation.. 😃
True story!
This is one of the largest events for Tango:
http://www.tangomarkkinat.fi/
It's funny you say that, I woke up this morning thinking of all the family and friends I need to call, if not only for them but for myself as well. I am a social person by nature, I enjoy having a conversation with people, they don't have to be "my" peeps, I can start a chat with a stranger in the bread line(oh man, hope it doesn't come to that).
Getting laid off or even cut back can really mess up the finances, especially for younger folks with a family to feed and a mortgage to pay.
Not much any of us can really do, except try and stay positive,🙂 and make a few calls.📞
Make the calls, don't wait for a good time :)
Then the ludicrous spending by nations that will see them straddled by debt for the next two generations.
For me that's the worst thought of all, that my children and grand children are going to be paying this bill.
Our fed reserve is printing money like crazy and it makes me sick. There will be a time, probably sooner or later, when the US dollar will no longer be king of the mountain.
My hope is that crypto goes nuts, our farm keeps feeding us all and we can wave good-bye with just one finger.
Yep, but the worst part is that what they spend it on doesn't really help generate the infrastructure that adds value long term.
Don't I know it, government has failed us miserably, it's time to say NO, GET OUT OF MY BUSINESS!! The stuffing is gonna hit the fan.
You inspired me to call a good dear friend from the past. Thank you for the reminder that the human connection is real and love is easy to give.
Good good - see? action made :)
Yes, I do think such moral support is one of the best things each of us can do now. Talking to friends, showing them we care and supporting them is valuable. It's like flashing light in a dark place. Some flow of information, ideas, and emotions where time stands still. A push against Entropy.
I think that at this moment, some will be damaged heavily- others will strengthen like they couldn't otherwise. The people who invest into people will do well long-term for their quality of life - while those who retract will diminsh their connections beyond repair. I am going to (when things ease a bit) start having more friends come and help out around the house, something I wouldn't normally do. Not because I need the help, just so we can do what rarely happens socially these days - make something useful together that we value. I will return the favors as needed and perhaps, we can all add value to each other's lives.
See? I needed that flash of light to consult me in maybe not retracting too much and to remind me to reach out to some people who matter a lot to me.
Our social interactions are quite like the movement of atomic particles ;)
They collide and combine to form the structure of human creation.
May the fourth be with you on May the Fourth.... maybe we will all learn how to get by with a 3 day work week ? That would be pretty awesome... The fourth day and the others can be used for our own personal Creative pursuits .... me I’m drawing ....
For me it will be renovating over the next three months. However, I think that the 3-4 day work week isn't that far away, especially once unemployment increases, as it essentially means everyone could have a job. AI and automation will force it anyway.
A very noble cause. Calls to single people are especially valuable, for whom communication is more expensive than money.
I think it is pretty easy if some of us call a few more, that everyone on earth is covered. In Finland, health care professionals are now calling 80+ citizens to see how they are doing.
Yes it concerns me with the mentally ill. These are definitely not good times for them. Plus, the same with alcoholics. I can only imagine.
Finland has a surplus of both, and I think long-term costs globally are going to be incredibly high - but not attributed to this directly.
It very much will make a difference to me if i receive a call from a friend. Sometimes all we want to here is "have a wonderful day " to excape from our troubles. I havent been in such a dark place in life before. I guess covid19 has been the darkest aspect of my life and it isnt as severe as most people might be facing. Nevertheless, a good conversation is enjoyed in these times