Hi Wesley,

Thanks for reading my work, and for the mansplain about how I could have better responded or coped. I did apologize in real time, and tell the women that I hesitated because I was having a panic attack about the virus. Perhaps you missed that line.

In addition, as the piece clearly states, my panic attack wasn’t about being judged by anyone, it was about fear for my health, and the health of my family. Even people without diagnosed anxiety disorders are having moments of fear and panic.

And you know what the best thing they -we- can do is?

Be kind, gentle, and loving with ourselves and others. These moments will occur. We will have times when we lose our grip on the present and float into the ungrounded mist of fear and uncertainty. Even those of us with a full tool-box of effective coping skills will drift into a negative space. We are human. What we need is compassion.

Pedantic responses inlaid with finger-wagging judgement don’t create a compassionate culture. Honesty about our struggles, and demonstrations of love and acceptance for the full human experience do.

Open hearts, open minds, and judgement free. We’re all doing the best we can.