The last two weeks have been so tumultuous! First the joy of beginning the New Year with a COVID vaccine and the hope of moving past so much pain and isolation in 2020--then the fear and anger at witnessing an assault on our system of government with little to no push-back or tacit support from many elected leaders. The antisemitism and racism on display during the attack on the capital was shocking and demoralizing, especially for those of us who have personal experience with this kind of hatred. It was a strong reminder that the freedom from fear and persecution that most of us take for granted is not guaranteed for any of us and has been denied for many in our society for years.
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Autumn has begun, so hard to keep track of time. Still many pieces and parts rapidly moving as COVID-19 continues to evolve. I really miss seeing you all in conference rooms, the hallways, break rooms and stopping by to meet in your offices. Let's hope that will resume sometime in the near future!
Unreal. Surreal. Even these words seem deeply inadequate for the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and how it has transformed our lives. Many of us across campus are on the front lines, many called in to help, many feel helpless about how to contribute, and many having to rethink how we do our research during these difficult times. All of us collectively are focused on the fight to stop the spread of the virus and save lives.