Pre-pandemic, Lindsey Haynes-Maslow traveled across the state and country often, sometimes several times a week. This changed in March of 2020 when Haynes-Maslow switched to working from her home office.

Although she was not physically out in the field, Haynes-Maslow has spent a significant amount of time ensuring that the networks and relationships she has built during her years at NC State remain strong. Her days were spent on the phone, answering emails, being on podcasts and joining Zoom meetings.

Coming from a public health background, Haynes-Maslow tried to limit her presence in the community to protect others to ensure she protected the people in her network. Switching to a virtual setting was a new tool to keep people connected while continuing their important work.

Growing up, Haynes-Maslow moved every couple of years (she has lived in seven states). While she was not born and raised in North Carolina, Haynes-Maslow now considers it home. It took a move to the Triangle for her to feel a sense of community. Haynes-Maslow said, “Now that I know what it feels like to be part of a community, I have great respect and pride for the people in my community.“

During the pandemic, Haynes-Maslow has provided North Carolinians with outlets to discuss how COVID-19 has impacted their lives, and she continues to communicate federal and state policies (that were quickly passed) to community members that may be eligible and benefit from them.

Haynes-Maslow disclosed, “I am an extrovert — I get energy and ideas from working with my colleagues and stakeholders in the community. My spouse is a healthcare provider, so while one of us continued to go to work every day, my daily routine was turned upside down.” Due to a childhood full of moves, Haynes-Maslow felt like she could easily adapt to any change in her environment, but the pandemic tested that hypothesis. “Even with a public health background, I assumed I would be back on campus and traveling again by the summer of 2020. But, as COVID-19 data and trends started becoming more apparent, I realized that my ‘new environment’ — might be here for a while.”

The biggest challenge for Haynes-Maslow in working from home is that she becomes engrossed in a project and forgets about time. “It is easy to continue working into the evening and on weekends when your home is your office. I have asked my spouse to serve as an accountability partner to help remind me when it’s time to stop working,” says Haynes-Maslow. “When you are passionate about the work you do — the lines between work and passion can become blurred.”

Retired Department Head for Agricultural and Human Sciences Carolyn Dunn said, “Dr. Haynes-Maslow responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and was able to quickly adapt programming to continue to serve our most vulnerable families. She and her team continue to do an amazing job and have proven success at reducing the risk of chronic illness through education and policy and systems change.”

To stay well during the pandemic, Haynes-Maslow follows the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services three Ws: wearing a mask, waiting six feet apart from other people and washing her hands. “Most of my family does not live in this area, but I did help relocate my mother from Wilmington to Mebane in May. Therefore, I take extra caution being around other people since I don’t want to put my mother at risk.”

Haynes-Maslow reminds us that staying safe during the pandemic is not only about staying physically healthy, but mentally too. “I have spent much time outdoors running on trails and working in my garden to ensure I get the emotional breaks I need.”