Deployed During A Global Pandemic: Dr. Darnell A. Durrah, Jr.

By: Darnell A. Durrah Jr., Ph.D.

Reel Urban News COVID-19 Series

Over this past weekend, I was reflecting on how life has been since COVID19 unexpectedly took the nation by surprise.  As an active duty military psychologist currently on a nine-month rotational deployment in support of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mission; COVID19, has impacted me as well.  Prior to COVID19, I was traveling at least weekly providing psychological services to men and women of this great Nation throughout eight Eastern European countries.  Despite not having the freedom of movement I was accustomed to, providing psychological services, has continued.  One of the clinical adaptions have been an increase of tele behavioral health services.  Nevertheless, this article will not focus on my clinical practices during this deployment.  This brief article is also not geared towards my current military operations either, rather my perspective adjusting to the new normal.

Change is a difficulty concept for just about all of us.  Yes, even I, a licensed counseling psychologist has often found myself fighting change.  Why, might you ask?  Think about how many times you start your day preparing for school, work or even after the end of the day and it is time to head home.  Now, on this day you need to make a detour.  This detour could include the simplest task, that include picking an item up from the grocery store, stopping at the post office, etc.  How many times did you forget to make the turn for that detour?  I believe, this is because, subconsciously, we are creatures of habit.  Meaning we do what we are programmed to do.  

Social Isolation is becoming the new normal; at least for now.  Social isolation will and has looked different depending on individuals’ situations.  Understanding not everyone will be able to completely socially isolated; sadly, this could result to many being at a greater risk to COVID19.  Now, in no way, is this article an effort to provide medical advice or a medical opinion.  Thus, I urge you to take all the protective measures as possible.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) is a trusted resource.  In the meantime, social isolation, at least from my social media timelines, has been entertaining at times.  I have enjoyed reading about increased zoom meetings among old friends; by the way, try doing karokee online. It is a blast!  Also, I have enjoyed waiting to hear about the weekend DJ D-nice parties, the countless MJ memes, at least after the Babyface vs Teddy Riley battle, or just seeing how so many are spending more time with valued loved ones.  Personally, since being out of the country since last October, I have been physically and to an extent emotionally distant from what was normal for me. 

So, what happens when we return to normal?  Or better yet, how do I regain those physical and emotional connections to others since leaving?  This concept is fluid, at least it should be.  How we adapt and evolve post COVID19 restrictions and requirements, is yet to be determined.  Honestly, there is not a blueprint for this.  If we are still engaging in social isolation for the next several months, I strongly urge you to consider focusing on your “why.”  In fact, we could all look to those essential employees such as mail carriers, grocery store employees, public transportation employees, janitorial services, and healthcare professionals.  Obviously, this list is not an all inclusively.  My point, these individuals understand their “why!”  As a result, we all should be thankful for them.