We don’t get out enough and it’s no wonder considering the amount of time we spend on our phones. We haven’t gotten back to our pre-pandemic social routines and it shows: WhileThe Connecticut Democrat calls loneliness “one of the most important political issues of our time” and he’s at the head of an unspoken alliance of policymakers who see it as a key post-pandemic public health issue.
In Utah, Republican Gov. Spencer Cox used public records to make a list of strangers with one common characteristic, like couples married for more than 50 years, or people who held lifetime fishing licenses. Thenat the governor’s mansion as part of a campaign to encourage kindness. In his annual walk across the state Sen. Chris Murphy talks with Connecticut residents about problems such as being unable to afford housing and needing better jobs. | Courtesy of Sen. Chris Murphy's Office
As Murphy sees it, Americans feel exhausted and overwhelmed. They’re working longer and can’t disconnect from their jobs. They have fewer friends and it’s harder to carve out time for those they do have. They’re exhausted by how fast technology is evolving and the unforeseen mental health impacts of social media, leaving them — and their kids — vulnerable.Murphy’s first attempt at loneliness policy, the “National Strategy for Social Connection Act,” was born out of those realizations.
He has a plan and tools for helping him through lonely moments. He’s built a few close friendships over the years with people he can confide in, and on bad days, he’ll reach out with a phone call or a text: “Hey, I’m feeling a bit down today. Would love to connect or talk.” There, Murphy sees a need for more social media regulation, economic policy to provide more free time and direct support for the types of social organizations people used to belong to in droves.