Hi, Atlanta!

“Uncertainty” is one word that’s come up in almost every interview I’ve conducted since January. Public health workers, from longtime CDC employees to people working at community organizations, don’t know what to expect or what’s coming next. 

Along with personal worries about stability and finances, most public health workers I’ve spoken with said they’re profoundly concerned about the future of their work and the health of the community. 

I spoke to several public health leaders around Atlanta to learn their best tips for coping with these uncertain times. 

One powerful comment came from Dean Monica Swahn of Kennesaw State University’s College of Health and Human Services: “We need to figure out how to learn to tolerate this ambiguity.” 

The uncertainty is unlikely to go away soon, Swahn said, “so we can't think about how we shall resolve it, or how we shall fix it. …  We need to focus on what's in our control, and perhaps let go what's not in our control.” 

Swahn suggested focusing on small, achievable, daily goals to maintain a sense of agency. And leaning into relationships is important: “Peer support is also one of the most protective factors against burnout and these high levels of anxiety.” She suggested finding supportive people to share concerns with but trying to keep a focus on talking about “vulnerabilities” and ways to deal with them. 

Are you a public health worker struggling with the current uncertainty? What’s working for you? I’d love to hear about it.