Viral Vicissitudes

The (Pandemic) Future's in...Packaging: "Paper or Plastic?" Sage Advice from 1967: Mr. McGuire (Walter Brooke) to Ben Braddock (Dustin Hoffman):                                                             Mr. M: "I just want to say one word to you, just one word"                                                                           Ben: "Yes sir"                                                                                      ...

Laying Siege on COVID, COVID laying in wait... Headlines:  October 26, 2020: Australia, following no new recent COVID cases, announces it would be opening up. Italy, due to a surge in COVID cases, announces an additional lockdown.                                                    October 27,2020: The Czech Republic, after a successful early campaign against COVID, are experiencing some of the highest daily rates -- what happened?                                                                                     October 27, 2020: Antibodies and associated immunities with COVID diminishes in time for a sizeable group of people.    ...

  The Russian Connection, Part 2: Igor, 'The Professor'  From Foe to Favored Friend: Igor Nikolayevich Larionov (can I buy a vowel, Vanna?), born December 3rd, 1960. As part of his bio, he is listed as a sports agent and former professional hockey player. Known affectionately as 'The Professor', a moniker earned from his cerebral style of play and methodical approach to conditioning, Larionov was instrumental along with a few other Russians in breaking barriers which kept players who played for the Soviet Union (where many played as part of "The Red Army" hockey team) from jumping to the NHL. So, you might argue, among other accomplishments, Igor was an 'ice breaker'!  Russian Invasion: Along with Sergei Federov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Slava Kozlov, and Slava Fetisov (always enjoyed hearing the TV or Joe Louis announcer articulate every syllable), Igor Larionov became forever embedded in every Detroit hockey fan's memory as being part of the "...

The Russian Connection, Part 1 - The Pandemic Meets Ivan Pavlov: "Wait a Doggone Minute!"         Probably good advice, as you'll soon see. This, slowing down, buying time, waiting a minute to minimize our errant conclusions, especially when it comes to dramatically experienced situations. Which are probably occurring at a higher rate and more intensely the past several months in our collective lives. Given the last few and current national election cycle in our country and the now daily allegations of the 'Russian Connections' (won't be surprised to see people endorsing Putin as a write-in candidate, despite failing a few eligibility criteria, and was surprised, on the other hand, the supreme court nominee didn't get asked how she would vote on this), the time is ripe to acknowledge two notable Russians--one internationally renowned and the other who became a hometown hero here in Detroit about twenty years ago. Man's Best Friend: The Russian connecti...

A Confluence of COVID Characters: Misanthropes, Miscreants, Minstrels         Seems to me that this pandemic has brought out both the best and worst characters, as well as 'character'. Despite not getting out and about as much, you've certainly encountered, read about, or viewed news segments portraying one or more of these types of characters, as well as these dimensions of personality in various individuals (perhaps including the 'man in the mirror')... Moody, Morose Misanthropes: General dislike, distrust, or contempt, frequently accompanied by a sullen profile. You may have not actually encountered them as they tend to distance themselves from us but, on the other hand, we may have some under our own roof, in the form of...teenagers (LOL)--they frequently acquire contempt for us and, if allowed, would stay in their room with the door closed until?. But, who among us haven't had  a day where you were mad at the world, while no one in particular? You misanthro...

COVID Casualties: Remnants of a Republic, Detritus of a Democracy(?)        While not listed in the "upcoming posts" on October 18th, I am writing this for several reasons that are important to me and I hope meaningful for you. #1 - Timing, Aghast:  Timely, because I still have the interview from October 21st fresh on my mind, and I am still so dismayed with what I heard, that I just had to vent to someone (yep, even psychologists have to vent and this is one good place for me to do it--thank you for 'listening'!). The interview in question involved a BBC reporter and a young Nigerian (easy to find there, the median age being 18), in the midst of the ongoing Nigerian unrest (you think we have issues, check out what's happening there). Near the end of the interview the reporter opined (paraphrasing here): "Democracy is a great idea, but when it doesn't deliver, what then?" He went on to compare the relative efficacy in dealing with COVID by more total...

Signs, Signs, Everywhere's a Sign...Politics, Pandemics, Protocols        𝅘𝅥𝅯 Sign, sign everywhere a sign                                                                                                                          Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind...𝅘𝅥𝅯                                                                                                                  ...

Enduring Traits, Traits that Endure: Blessing or a Curse?         In "Pandemic Personality 2.0" (see October 11th), I presented a few notable dimensions of personality, traits that characterize an individual's approach to daily life, including the more challenging circumstances, such as what we continue to endure  with the pandemic. Whether it's the fear of acquiring COVID, being frustrated with the limited opportunities to move about, or longing for contact with those not always near but still dear to you. Plus the ambiguity  of not knowing when or exactly what the way out (e.g., which vaccine) looks like yet. Plenty of challenges to interact with the two noted personality traits of ambiguity   tolerance  and locus   of   control . So, how did you measure up with these two? Today, I get to know your individual, unique personality better... Getting to Know You... Getting to know all about you🎝 A show tune familiar to most of us, from th...

Viral Vestiges: "It got the best of me" (so, then what's left?)        Another quote with negative connotations, a statement we have all made at some time or another. While "I didn't sign up for this" (see yesterday's post) is generally made either in anticipation of or in the midst of a difficult situation, the statement under consideration here today is more often uttered after the fact, or at least as the 'game clock' is winding down. Many times made offhandedly, it refers to a situation that got out of hand (clever, eh?). After we handled a situation poorly. Interchangeable with "Not my finest moment". Regretting errors we made that impacted negatively. Finally, " It " can be another person, circumstance(s), or feeling we gave into. Given our current circumstances and the prospects for a continued, higher-than-average degree of stress associated with the pandemic for at least the next few months, I am offering you (free of...

"I didn't sign up for this, I've had it!" (the only easy day was yesterday) Pandemic Protest Prototypes:  "I've had it.." This, among a plethora of other dramatic declarations of being overwhelmed, is not unique to our pandemic times, of course. But no doubt heard at a higher frequency and decibel range in 2020. Can you imagine, for instance, following his initial reluctant indoctrination, what Noah uttered when he found himself surrounded by piles of ---- and having to birth a 'boatload' of species: "I'm going to need a bigger boat...this was not part of the original deal..." Another powerful biblical account involves that of Mary, the unexpectant mother (can you imagine, how would you respond?). While not unique to the ongoing pandemic, I am hearing and reading about more accounts the past several months of people from all walks of life, whose own COVID circumstances have overcome their training and/or personal resources. I offer ...

Unmasking the Competition: Pass the mic, it's my turn! Choose Your Poison -- Righteous Indignations, Pompous Pretensions: Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! Debates, town halls, nominee hearings, oh my! They all ended like they started -- indictments leveled at the other side (especially whose to blame for our COVID problems to date), self-congratulations for our side. Okay, three cheers for symmetry, at least (you may stay seated): "whoop-de-do, whoop-de-do, whoop-de-do" (didn't even break a sweat). Enough to turn you off, but not cause you to change the channel yet, as you waited for something worth waiting for... "Keep talking, man!...Suffering Fools:   There's an old saying in politics that you don't really want your opponent to shut up, you don't want to yank the mic away--just let him keep talking and eventually he'll discredit himself (even without the help of a moderator). There's even an older and more universal saying in life that some...

Viral Vocations: Vetting, Vexing Public Service Announcement:   Thought it would be timely, given the national and even international attention of a vetting process happening in 'real time' in our capitol, in order to provoke thought and conversation amongst us regarding the vetting process in general, and more specifically in the context of a few 'viral vocations'.  Stand (Sit) and Deliver: Have you ever found yourself in a position where your professional resume (perhaps polished and refined by a professional consultant), if not your whole life, was examined under a microscope (foreshadowing here), worked over with a 'fine toothed comb'? How many of us could withstand the type of barrage that the legal beagles, professional politicians, and paparazzi fire at candidates vying for office these days? Is this why, so many of us wonder, that there seems to be a dearth of strong candidates running for public office, when we know there are people with leadership qual...

Still Open for Business, You're Always Welcome...Outside! SAD? Not! As we around these parts and many throughout the northern hemisphere prepare to spend more time indoors in the near future, due in part to what we tend to refer to as 'inclement' meteorological conditions ("unpleasantly cold and wet"), and outdoor cafes are having to move indoors with capacity restrictions, I am writing in an attempt to mitigate  an outbreak of another condition common in the winter season here. Namely, SAD, or "Seasonal Affective Disorder", a condition that includes feelings of depression and malaise, attributed to not being exposed to enough bright light (i.e., sunshine) during the winter months in particular. But in my vast professional experience now, I have become increasingly compelled by another important variable, which is what people are doing OR NOT when they are hibernating in the winter months...usually a lot less; there is less SAD (not a complete immunity) ...

Pedaling Pelotons past the Pandemic: a COVID Caveat Emptor - Gustav, where art thou? Try this at home:   Throngs of folks have been paying big bucks for exercise equipment lately. Ranging from the popular Peloton itself (where you pay a few thousand plus a monthly membership for virtual coaching and special effects so you actually are convinced you are part of a peloton, a group of cyclists--this while never leaving your living room!) to full home gyms, sometimes costing upwards of a few thousand dollars. Anyone who has bothered to make a trip to Dick's or gone on Amazon in search for dumb bells and the like have realized exercise equipment in many forms is like the toilet paper earlier in the pandemic--flying off the shelves and in short supply (maybe not, as you'll see later). Personal trainers, assuming they have good masks, are also in demand. This is, of course, in part due to the number of gyms that have been closed for protracted periods now. It will be interesting, give...

  Pandemic Personality 2.0: COVID Coping - Keeping It Together (while we remain apart)                                         Quotable Quotes, Opposite Orientations                                                                             "I'm losing it!"                                              "I'm keeping it together"                                                            "When will we get there?!      ...

  Pandemic Personality Assessment: Losing track of time, location,...You?         Feeling out of sorts, a bit dazed, confused, out of place, lost track of time, just not yourself lately? If so, join the crowd! Let's face it, who hasn't experienced one or more of these at some time or another, probably more so lately, as a result of circumstances associated with this pandemic? That is, one or more dimensions of being disoriented . Orientation X 3: Time, Place, Person, in no particular (dis)order. A focus of any mental health professional, these three areas of awareness (or lack thereof) are assessed as part of any mental status exam. Here, today, you'll get a chance to perform a self-examination.  "I'm losing it!" A common statement of exasperation we've all made at some time or another, it often has important implications in the context of direct conversation in my office or overnight voice mails/emails.  This, routinely experienced throughout the four...

A Contagion of Conciliation and Congeniality: A Welcome Departure A welcome break from all the conflict, acrimony, and rancor, that is... Quotable Quotes, Timely Advice: "While reasonable minds may differ, may cooler minds prevail"                                                                 "More reasonable people have disagreed"                                                                                                   "You can disagree without being disagreeable" - Ruth Bader Ginsburg                        ...