Snapshots in time

Time flies, even during a pandemic. It’s now been 531 days since I wrote my first article about COVID-19 and its impacts on assistants, and published the first of a number of Weekend Polls asking about your experiences. Just think of all the changes in your life since March 2, 2020.

That was then; this is now

We thought our worlds were digital pre-pandemic; now, imagine your career without the tools and resources on which we rely daily.

In looking back on experiences and insights assistants and association leaders have shared with me since the early days of what has long since been termed a pandemic, I know people have experienced both challenges and opportunities. Assistants around this globe have had their ups and downs, and have helped their peers and others with templates, creative ideas, resources and moral support. 

Now, 531 days since that first pandemic-related Weekend Poll, we’re still making our way through what must surely be considered a historic point in time. There are different nuances, and we continue to make our way forward – and learn.

“A September like no other”

That’s the headline I wrote one year ago this week, in prefacing a check-in on what and how you were doing at that point in the pandemic. Well, we’ve now embarked on a September not unlike last year’s, and so I’ve prepared another Weekend Poll to check in again with readers. Some questions will be familiar, and they provide opportunities to benchmark readers’ experiences over extended periods of time.

You’ll also find some new questions in this particular poll. Even though this is our second consecutive September during pandemic times, and COVID variants and waves continue to impact lives, many are moving forward. You’ll also see opportunities below to briefly share with your counterparts around the globe some of the valuable lessons you’ve gained.

Let’s get to it, shall we? I’m asking, and look forward to hearing …

How and what are you doing, 18 months since COVID was deemed a pandemic?

Please take a couple of minutes to complete the poll below. As always, I look forward to hearing what you have to say and will publish the results here.