Coronavirus, Lupus, and Working From Home

The ability to work from home permanently is something I’ve always wanted. Being able to avoid the hustle and bustle of commuting downtown is especially ideal for someone with an autoimmune disease. The germs and bugs that the general population seems to be unmoved by can severely impact those with compromised immune systems. 

It was back in March when my real concern for the coronavirus began. I was at my desk when one of my colleagues said that she was watching the news on her computer. It was just announced that schools would be closed until further notice due to COVID-19. At that point, I spoke to my manager and asked if I could work from home. Grumblings about the coronavirus started getting louder in the weeks before the announcement; however, I remained hopeful that everything would work itself out. My manager agreed that it would be best for me to work from home to protect my health and well-being.

Just a few days after that, everyone in my department was told to work from home. 

Having worked from home every day for a few months, I’ve realized that there are pros and cons to this arrangement. 

Pros:

• I can avoid exposure to bugs/viruses on public transit
• I don’t have to worry about those who choose not to wear a mask, practice proper social distancing, etc.
• I don’t have to worry about not being able to get a seat on the train
• I can sleep in a bit
• I can make myself a fresh breakfast and lunch
• Save money on public transit costs
• I can spend time with/take care of my puppy

Cons:

• Lack of physical human interaction/loneliness
  • no in-person meetings
  • no coffee chats/physical networking with others
  • no lunch dates with colleagues
• Possibility of becoming more sedentary (though it can also work oppositely in that people may have more time to exercise since the time used for commuting is eliminated.)

For me, that about sums up the pros and cons of working from home. While I love being around my coworkers, I would work from home permanently if the opportunity presents itself. I think it’s important to differentiate between working from home as a choice/option versus working from home out of necessity due to COVID-19. A significant concern that people are beginning to talk about is the feeling of isolation that people feel while working from home. 

Many of my coworkers live alone and are only starting to make physical contact with friends and loved ones. While it’s fantastic that people are beginning to step foot into the pool of normalcy, the months leading up to this point have been challenging. Being separated from your friends and your loved ones can significantly impact one’s mental health. The technological tools available to us, including FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype, are all adequate in keeping us connected. However, nothing comes close to being with your friends and family in the flesh.

What are your thoughts on permanently working from home, whether due to coronavirus fears or protecting your health?