Sir, – The past 18 months have been challenging for all of us in different ways. The successful vaccine rollout has paved the way for a recovery, together with new changes in the way we will live and work in the future.
Human nature being what it is, we cannot possibly accept the hopelessness and distress that Una Mullally meets in her encounters with people during the pandemic – "nearly everyone I talk to is sick of work" and "the level of anger, resentment and frustration being felt by many" ("Pandemic burnout numbs us in return to 'real life'", Opinion and Analysis, August 16th).
Work plays a significant part in our lives and is an important part of our health and well-being. Our ability to adapt to change will see new opportunities and new forms of work emerging, as we have just seen in the rapid and smooth transition to remote and flexible working. Less time and costs spent commuting to work will mean a better life balance, with more time for leisure and an improved and healthier form of life for people and our environment.
Problems existing pre-pandemic such as a shortage in housing and rising rents will continue but more positivity with less doom and gloom will at least make the glass half full and lead to less collective stress as curbs are being lifted and a look of normality returns. – Yours, etc,
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KEVIN McLOUGHLIN,
Ballina,
Co Mayo.