Pandemic

Math saves lives -- I learned that as a math major in college. But I never thought that I would live through a global pandemic where an exponential graph would cancel school, dominate news cycles, and drive worldwide policy. I cannot remember a time in my life when mathematics and science has been more in the forefront of the public mind.

Like you, everything changed at our office when our state issued a stay-at-home order. Our team members have spent the past weeks adjusting to homeschooling and social distancing. Luckily, our studio is attached to my home, and--using health safety precautions--I am still able to ship out your orders.

In the past three weeks, I've gained an officemate (my husband now teaches his university classes from one of our studio desks) and started homeschooling my three children. Life feels both louder and quieter, busier and simpler...in ways I cannot fully articulate.

Most of all, I feel intense gratitude toward all the medical professionals, epidemiologists, and vaccine researchers who are heroes fighting to literally save the world. Recently I was able to procure over a hundred N-95 masks--shipped to Oregon by a friend in Hong Kong--to donate to hospitals that are running out. It's not much, but every bit helps. 100% of profits from Boutique Academia will go toward this project until the cost of the masks and shipping are met.

Over the next few months, our focus will be on creating science jewelry designs that are comfortable to wear, highly durable, and deeply meaningful. I have a lot of new pieces in the pipelines, and will just keep on keeping on (in between juggling middle-school English assignments, high school Japanese, and 3rd grade math).

Who knows how this will all play out over the next couple years. But I am certain of one thing: math and science are critical to resolving this epidemic. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who study and work in medicine and biology and technology related to this epidemic, and all the varying fields that are involved! Thank you to everyone in STEM whose efforts help to make the world a healthier, happier, better place. <3