Covid-19 has increased loneliness

United Way wants us to be more connected

Human connection is something we all crave ?

"* and many of us are lacking during this lousy pandemic.

But united way of olmsted county is making an effort to improve social connectedness and they need your input.

Kimt news 3's isabella basco joins us live with the details.

Walk the streets of downtown rochester and you'll find the majority of people miss that social connection.

The vice president of community impact at united way says relationships are a key part of our health.

"lonely, i am so lonely."

Loneliness ?

"* the subject of many a song, meme and emoji can also be a vice on one's heart, squeezing to create constant pain.

Isolation is a serious problem during the pandemic.

In olmsted county the united way says ?

"* rates f social connectedness are declining.

"it kind of sucks honestly not being able to go around to people and just talking to people i'm around and all that sorts."

"we've been really trying to lean into virtual social gatherings but it's difficult, you know it's not the same."

"i think it's just more of a mental health aspect for me is seeing my friends and seeing everybody."

Emily johnston is with united way.

"our mental and emotional health is really impacted when we don't have strong social ties or when our social connections are disrupted."

Johnston wants minnesotans to get creative to maintain our relationships.

"a study from harvard showed men who had relationships in their 50s were thriving in their 80s and really concluded that social connections were an important part of good health and long life."

And when this pandemic ends... united way will commit up to two years of financial support to programs that lead the way for social connections.

Live in rochester ib kimt news 3.

Thanks isabella.

Initial proposals are due sept.

10.

For more information on the request for proposals... visit kimt dot