Article 20: Inside the “Bonkers Bunker”: Reflections on Somehow Making an “Impossible” Situation Possible

A ninth grader in his room, multitasking on multiple screens (including his school-issued computer, his gaming computer, his tablet, and his phone…), doing just enough in school, but not pushing himself too hard to achieve. A seventh grader in their room, listening to music and scrolling through TikTok, school-issued Chromebook open, distracted by adolescence and overwhelmed by the swift changes occurring in their body, mind, and life. A toddler at daycare, having the time of her life—unless sent home ill, which triggers a several-day disruption in care even for very minor afflictions (though, even then, she seems to be having the time of her life!). She is sheltered, for better or for worse. Mainly safe from the reach of the virus, but stripped of relationships with people (of any age) who are not in her immediate household. One (tenured) professor working from home, fighting for literal and figurative bandwidth, teaching and mentoring her students remotely, fighting to keep the “big kids” focused, fighting to stay focused herself, even as the emotional weight of it all compresses her motivation and energy for…anything. And another (untenured) professor working alternatively in and out of the home, trying to earn tenure, teaching “in person” with all the associated issues thereof, struggling to get enough done in the limited hours available.