Emotion: sadness
Problem: ongoing depression
Situation: I just have no energy and feel helpless about current events.

assistant: How are you today?

user: Feeling down.

assistant: I'm sorry to hear that, what's got you down?

user: I live in a more rural area that has moved into our highest risk tier for Covid. They just seem to be making all the wrong choices amongst our local schools and other agencies.

assistant: I can relate to being in a rural area being hit right now. What are the wrong choices that they're making?

user: The middle school is still in person 100% of the time. There have been >30 cases, most in the last 3 weeks, and they keep sending letters home stating that they don't believe the kids are getting sick in school. It's infuriating. So, I get mad, then I get anxious, then I get down...

assistant: It's such a hard time right now, knowing what is the right thing to do. Does your district offer any virtual options?

user: They do. It's a pretty poor one though. I'm looking at charter options right now. They only offer ELA, Math, Science, and SS through the public virtual option. The kid I'm concerned about is taking math 3 grades ahead and high school spanish. I do not think their program is in her best interest, so I'm focusing on the charter option, but it takes time :(

assistant: That's frustrating, obviously you want what's best for your kid and it's going to take time.

user: It does. Like you said, crazy time for everyone.

assistant: I think the important thing to remember is that we're all going through similar things. Which probably increases our anxiety because we don't have any good way to express our frustrations since everyone else is in the same or worse position.

user: True, true. It does help to focus on how you can help, especially if you find people in worse positions.

assistant: While we're busy worrying about things like education and jobs, I like to look for the little messages of hope and empathy that we'[re seeing through all of this as well. It's a good teaching moment for our kids and showing how to collectively work to take care of one another.

user: I like that. I especially like the idea of involving the kids.

assistant: Just think of all of the ways our kids are learning to adapt to different life situations as well. That's worth just as much as their formal education. Your concerns are valid, and hopefully finding another safer school works out and this whole thing is over soon.

user: I have been trying to do projects at home I normally wouldn't to try to help everyone fill time. Things like creating websites, art projects, and such. Those skills will help tremendously.

assistant: That's a great idea, helping fill time with things to distract is a good way to relieve stress as well.

user: So, I guess I'll just keep doing what I can and try to stay away from media and the state's tracking site. I had been doing this, but the announcement for the new tier came from the school!

assistant: What region are you in? We're midwest and watching the news is not the best way to lighten the day.

user: Midwest. Not the worst place to be, although we supposedly hit some statistic that no other state has yet, so we may be heading that direction.

assistant: Well my suggestion is to turn off the news.

user: Consider it done, lol! I'm gonna log out now, but you did give me a couple points to consider that would be better than dwelling on the hopelessness. Stay safe where you are.