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Connection Is Critical During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Article

Connection Is Critical During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Katharine P. Stallard and Michael Lee Stallard
SmartBrief, 2020
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Editorial Rating

9

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Recommendation

A 2019 Cigna survey found that 61% of Americans older than 18 are lonely. What’s more, this percentage continues to grow. Consultants Michael Lee Stallard and Katharine P. Stallard of the Connection Culture Group tackle the implications of the loneliness epidemic – particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors stress the importance of maintaining connections with others and the positive impact of healthy relationships on your physical and emotional wellbeing. They recommend ways of building and maintaining strong connections even while social distancing, quarantine and isolation are a part of everyday life.

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitates social distancing, isolation and quarantine, highlights the importance of forming strong relationships.

People must wear masks, observe social distance and isolate to stop the spread of COVID-19. Physical separation exacerbates loneliness, which is a pervasive problem. Therefore, maintaining your positive social connections is vital, even – or especially – during the pandemic. 

Loneliness worsens the pandemic’s effects.

Reducing or stopping in-person contact to avoid spreading coronavirus is a benefit for public health, but it risks harming personal health. Loneliness contributes to numerous physical and mental health issues, ...

About the Authors

Michael Lee Stallard is president and co-founder of the Connection Culture Group and the author of Connection Culture, Second Edition with contributions from Katharine P. Stallard, a partner in the Connection Culture Group. 

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