Emotion: fear
Problem: job crisis
Situation: I am worried that I might lose my job due to the ongoing pandemic and I do not know how I will cope.

user: Hi there, could I ask you for some help?

assistant: hi! how are you doing today? of course! Whst's up?

user: Well not too great really. I am on furlough from my job because of the lockdown.

assistant: how long ago did that happen?

user: It has been happening for most of 2020. I briefly returned to work but now I am furloughed again! What should I do?

assistant: have you filed for unemployment or are you getting paid through your work?

user: I get a certain amount of my salary but it is not enough to pay for all my expenses. Additionally I am feeling really bad about the fact that I can't leave home very often.

assistant: not being able to go anywhere is hard. we are all feeling that right now. is it that you are feeling money woes or being cooped up - which bothers you most?

user: I think it is a combination of both but - perhaps mostly the money worries. It would be ironic if we were to be made homeless at a time when we're not legally supposed to be outside for very long!

assistant: indeed. you mentioned that the salary you are getting doesn't cover everything. is it not covering houseing expenses?

user: We can just about scrape by on our mortgage but we were really struggling on other monthly expenses and are worried that some of them might not be paid by the bank.

assistant: it's very scary and stressful! when i have faced a money crisis i have paid mortgage first, car second and then talked to utilities and explained the situation, woudl that help

user: I have not really thought about reaching out to any of the people that we have to pay because I am afraid that they might not be sympathetic. Do you think it would be a good idea?

assistant: i think that most people understand that there are many people in a huge crunch right now. i don't see that it woudl hurt to talk to them and be honest

user: I suppose that I probably do not have anything to lose - all that they can say is that they won't help us!

assistant: and in that case you are no worse off

user: This is very true. It does help to realise that I am not the only person in this position right now!

assistant: what have you been doing at home now that you aren't working to keep busy?

user: I have been keeping in touch with friends and family on social media. It is a lifeline but I would still really prefer to be back out there at work!

assistant: i agree! there's nothing like real interaction. it's good that you are keeing in touch with people, many people are feeling isolated right now

user: Do you think that this situation is going to be over anytime soon? It would really make a difference to me to think that it was.

assistant: the 1918 spanish flu pandemic was followed by the roaring 1920's -- so i think if history repeats itself we will be good! seriously though, the vaccine news is quite encouraging

user: Well yes but the twenties were followed by the Great Depression - I am not sure how encouraging that is :D This is true - perhaps with the vaccine we can get back to normal sooner than later.

assistant: LOL hopefully people will stop being mask stubborn and the vaccines will get us back to a modified normal within the next year

user: I always wear a mask when I leave the house - it is the sensible thing to do!

assistant: you are absolutely right! i don't understand the resistance to mask wearing. it's baffling i'm so glad you are staying safe

user: Quite! Do people really want to be infected? Does it hurt them so much to wear a mask and socially distance? I can get back to work sooner (and so can we all) if everyone adheres to recommendations. You have helped me to see that there might be an end in sight to this - thank you very much.

assistant: we have a real wave of ignorance going on right now, total denial of reality and it's frustrating

user: Perhaps things will be better come January ... you never know :)

assistant: fingers crossed!!

user: On that note, thank you so much for cheering me up .. best wishes!