Isolation and Desolation: The Need for Connection
Following the spread of COVID-19, schools and workplaces closed and Americans were faced with daily decisions about where and how to spend their time. Engagement in social supports like community centers, extracurricular activities, and the houses of worship sharply declined as people sought to avoid the risk of spreading the new virus. The internet offered an ability for many to work remotely, and staying at home became the norm for millions of people. Researchers in the areas of sociology and mental health have been studying the effects of decreased in-person social contact over the past decade and a half. These studies have indicated that having poor social relationships can influence detrimental health outcomes.
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