Message From the Chancellor (COVID-19 April 20, 2020 7:24 p.m.)

Cuarentena con arte…Quarantine with art

Dear Texas Woman’s Community,

I hope this message finds you well and rejuvenated from the weekend. Happy “quarantine” Monday...

I have not had a chance to read all my email today due to back-to-back video-conference meetings. Making time for these messages is a discipline for which even I fail. I will have to redouble my efforts tomorrow.

I will quickly say that while it is often easier to share the stories of triumph, creativity, and shifts of attitude, I am profoundly saddened by the stories of loss. The times are hard for everyone, but for those of us who are still employed and still have our health, our “hard times” are incomparable to those who have suddenly lost income or health. Skipping meals to stretch funds, worrying about evictions and missing mortgage payments, and losing loved ones, these are the deeply felt stories of these times. I want to focus some attention on these stories this week and also highlight the resources we have to help address those essential needs.

For now, though, I will leave you with another perspective on the times. Looking at paintings through the lens of COVID-19 brings to light some new thoughts from classical images.

My Spanish-English translations of the subtitles:

• Nada de contacto – no contact
• Los besos – the kisses
• El metro de distancia – one meter distance
• El estetista cerrado – hairdresser is closed
• Las charlas desde los balcones – chatting from balconies
• El centro ciudad – center of town
• Las mañanas interminables – never ending mornings
• La primera semana – the first week
• La segunda semana – the second week
• La tercera semana – the third week
• Tápate al toser – cover when coughing
• Verano 2020 – summer 2020
• El enésimo paseo – the umpteenth walk
• La compra para dos semanas – shopping for two weeks
• El chat de grupo – a group chat
• Cuando todo pase – after it’s all over
• Los reencuentros – the reunions and catching up
• No cuentes los días, haz que cada día cuente – Don’t count the day, act as if every day counts
• #quédateencasa – #stayhome

I hope we might rekindle that ancient African philosophy of ubuntu—I am because you are—that I mentioned in my first message, and that we keep it in mind as we move throughout this week.

With a pioneering spirit,

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor and President

P.S. For the latest information, check out the TWU COVID-19 webpage.

Page last updated 10:17 AM, September 13, 2024