Will Houghteling

Current city, state, country: San Francisco, CA, USA

My profession: Small business owner.

This pandemic makes me feel like: Restless, isolated, frustrated, grateful.

This pandemic makes me think: I am incredibly fortunate to have the things in my life that make it secure, comfortable and delightful. That said, it's still a tough period personally and professionally.

This pandemic makes me hope/pray for: Those who are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Those who are old and sick and alone. Those who are caring for older loved ones and anxious about what's in store. Those who are isolated and lonely dealing with the anxiety and frustration alone.

If I had Three Wishes:

1) Stop the spread

2) Built a more pandemic-resistant world

3) Continue the empathy, compassion and connection we're developing now once it's over

Before this pandemic, my plans for the next 6 months were: Raise the next funding round for my business and double or triple in size

What I have in my fridge/freezer and pantry: Jalapeño cheddar cheese sausages.

Ways I’m coping: Zooms and phone calls with friends and family.

General advice/thoughts/anxieties to share with others: Society's definitions and expectations for social interaction were already changing and being remolded. I am a person that is a little wary of technology defining our interpersonal relationships. Between online dating and twitter I see a lot of behaviors that make me nervous becoming norms. But right now, technology is saving us. In times of trouble humans turn to each other for help. Even from a selfish standpoint- helping others feels good. But we are limited in how we can lean on our friends, family and community right now. I am very interested to see how communication and relationships change as this progresses. When it's all over, will we value in-person contact more? Or is this just going to accelerate our shift towards dependence on virtual interactions? Or maybe things will go back to the way they were before...we'll see.