Excellent piece, John.

We need a Loneliness Secretary more than a Homeland Secretary.

Loneliness exists at personal, family, community, state, and national levels. And is destructive at each. All can feel left behind, left out, and worst left over.

Unfortunately, we are in a self-sufficiency mode, which doesn't help. Again, this is from the personal to international. The emphasis on self-made (never accurately the case), although individuals contribute overwhelmingly to our well-being. We are also busy building ever higher walls between nations, which starve us of goods, outside views, and input.

On the upside, solutions to loneliness exist and often don't require hard work. For individuals, simply looking at each other and saying hello is an excellent beginning.

Many thanks. Best.