Thanks, Laken, for starting this topic as well as sharing your thoughts about the current situation in the world.
I have been very fortunate to been able to cope throughout the pandemic and have had relatively little issue with the changes in my own personal life. Work has been fully online and work from home for me for the past 4+ years, and I've had most of my classes at University go either fully online or hybrid with just a few labs that need in-person attendance. There are, of course, days where not everything goes to plan, but that's life! Hard times make hard people.
I encourage everyone (if they have time) to read a short blog from one of my favorite "life" websites that puts things into perspective. In the end, time is the most important commodity, and one of the only things we can never get back.
https://soflete.com/blogs/knowledge/die-living
At the end of the day, we are still here on this Earth and are able to breathe and be alive when others that have passed (in many times, way too early) would give anything for one more hour to spend with those they love, doing the things they enjoy, and just seeing the world once more. Let's remember that while we may be going through difficult times, but all things eventually pass.
Stay strong, everyone, and make sure to reach out if you're going through a tough time. Many times, talking it out with friends (or even typing it out) is cathartic. I hope to see everyone sometime once this pandemic is over, and I can't wait for a WG reunion in real life once it happens!