As we enter the third year of the Covid pandemic I am indeed very grateful for not getting ill with the virus. Nonetheless, I have frankly come close to cracking under the strain of constant mask wearing, self-isolation, social distancing and all the other restrictions.

It has perhaps been especially hard having moved to a distant land with high hopes for a new life adventure. I had anticipated there would be many challenges but was unprepared for the Covid experience. Being deprived of the company of family and friends, the added barriers to building new relationships, and otherwise unable to live a “normal” lifestyle has been disappointing.