While the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating on many fronts, it has hopefully compelled people to be more mindful about their individual choices and impacts. This newfound urgency and self-agency can help us make inroads in solving other pressing issues.

Not to be too sensitive, but I’d like to take a moment to discuss the gendered implications of sensitivity. We have a lot of nicknames for sensitive people: little girls, sissies, drama queens, b-----s,...