12 Mar How the COVID-19 Pandemic Shaped Our Lives: Reflections from Our Team
As we mark five years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact continues to shape our lives in profound ways. From deepening our appreciation for healthcare workers to redefining how we connect with loved ones, the pandemic left a lasting imprint on both our personal and professional worlds. We asked our team to reflect on how their perspectives, routines, and priorities have evolved. Here’s what they had to say.
Farrah Brensinger, Senior User Experience Researcher
The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly deepened my appreciation for healthcare workers, scientists, and epidemiologists. Hearing firsthand accounts, like my nurse friend describing the emergency room as a “war zone” in the early days, was truly staggering. One of my hopes coming out of the devastation of the pandemic is that more people are inspired to enter healthcare and medicine. However, these fields do require strong and resilient personalities, as it is such demanding work, and lots of familial, community, and financial support. We must as a nation find new ways to encourage and advocate for a strong, sustainable healthcare system that empowers the many people who keep it afloat.
Allison Caplovitz, Director, Content Research and Evaluation
COVID changed the way I work and how I think about connection. I love that I can work from anywhere, but I’ve come to appreciate in-person interactions even more—there’s just no substitute for being in the same room with people. Watching my kids go through online school also gave me a window into what actually happens in the classroom. It made me realize how much learning isn’t just about sitting still and listening—it’s about doing, exploring, and engaging in ways that go beyond a screen or a lecture. More than anything, the past few years have reinforced how important it is to prioritize mental health, both for myself and for those around me.
Mona El-Hout, Quantitative Researcher
The pandemic had a huge impact on me in many different ways. Not only did I meet my now-husband during the lockdown, but learning to transition to fully remote work has been a quiet blessing in balancing my personal and professional lives. I also realized how unbelievably connected we are to the entire world thanks to the digital age we live in, and I now do a much better job staying in touch with friends and family in unique and entertaining ways. For example, my friends and I like to plan virtual arts & crafts dates to catch up with each other while also enjoying shared hobbies in our spare time!
Mary Meyn, Research Director & Chief of Staff
The pandemic encouraged me to enjoy the outdoors all year round and start solo hiking. The winter weekends of the early pandemic felt so long and claustrophobic. Unable to see family and friends or go anywhere, I felt like every day was the same—like Groundhog Day . I needed to get out! I’ve always enjoyed hiking, but my kids were too young to hike very far, especially in the winter. I decided to make the leap and go out hiking on my own, even in the winter months. I spent time preparing, making sure to have maps, the right gear, and strategies to stay safe. I am now a confident solo hiker in all seasons. It is an amazing feeling to stride up an icy rock scramble with microspikes on my boots to see the view from the top!
Sofia Polo, Director of Research Strategy
The pandemic reshaped my perspective on connection and the importance of family. I now prioritize quality time, making family gatherings special, and staying consistently in touch with extended family members. Professionally, it accelerated my comfort with remote work and flexible schedules, demonstrating that productivity isn’t tied to a physical office. It’s left me with a stronger sense of resilience and a deeper appreciation for adaptability.
Kelly Sheehan, Senior User Experience Researcher
The pandemic made me a full-time remote worker, which I have been for several companies (including Fluent) since the start of the pandemic. Being a full-time remote worker allowed me to move closer to my family, spend more time with my spouse (who is also a remote worker), and be more productive at work AND at home. I love it! The pandemic also made me realize how quickly life can get turned upside down. I try hard to appreciate the small joys in every day!