Opinion

Long-Distance Love During Covid-19 Doesn’t Work

This pandemic forced me to finally prioritize myself

Photo: Tomas Rodriguez/Getty ImagesWhen the Covid-19 crisis started, I knew my long-distance relationship would be impacted.

We wanted to develop clear understandings of each other, and we did, but we didn’t think about what our differences would mean in the long run or, more specifically, in the midst of a crisis.

I was always fully engaged in my work and focused on improving my relationship with myself at the points when my partner would question me about our relationship.

I am a women’s human rights defender running a grassroots organization in the middle of a crisis that is disproportionately affecting women, girls, and LGBT+ people, and there is no way I can take time off from pressuring the government for feminist policy, helping women to escape domestic violence after curfew, and educating people about the harm of emergency orders that don’t consider the most vulnerable people.

I watched as people clung to one another for support, got excited about spending more time together, and talked about the value of relationships.