Bella Vista, AR USA Yes. Part of the purpose of the terrorist destruction of the WTC was to destroy morale and demoralize the American people. I do not cooperate with terrorism. Jill, 60
Saylorsburg, PA USA I doubt it. I tried to go back to work as usual in Lowell and had a hard time. I managed to find a reason to go home for lunch and on the way back, stopped at a friend's office and convinced her to go for coffee. Laura, 36
Lowell, MA USA i think i could. . mothmc, 37
Los Angeles, CA USA Of course not. There's no such thing now. Karen, 21
Marshalltown/Ames, IA USA The people who work at the NYC branch office of the company my mom works for were instructed to return to work the day after. They got their updated immediately after hearing that. I would at least wait for the building inspector. Alias Irrelevante I wouldn't be able to go back to work "as usual" but I would go. You have to make your life as normal as possible as you are dealing with a tragedy and going to work every day is as normal as you get! Tracy, 24
Ocean City, NJ USA I would. But I have to say, I have felt like retreating from work every day (and especially on Monday of this week) and I live in Lowell, MA. There is going to be some massive wave pychological breaks in the not too distant future. Felicia, 35
Lowell, MA USA I'm fairly sure I could go to work. Depending on what I did for a living, I may have a hard time concentrating. However, stock people get all involved in what they're doing. I'm sure they're fine. Firelady, 23
Dallas, TX USA I don't think I would. I would be afraid of whoever is still out there. The "ringleaders" have not been caught. Who's to say they won't do it again while we are still looking for them? Stephanie, 25
TX USA I think it might depend what floor I worked on. I'm not being silly, but having worked on the 47th floor at 40 Wall St. years ago, I know firsthand how long it actually takes to exit the building via stairs. We had a fire-drill once. We all knew it was a drill; people laughing and joking going down the steps, everyone complaining of the heat in the stairwell. I honestly think, knowing myself as I do, if I worked on anything above the 20th floor these days, I'd be seeking other employment.
Fisch, 46
Preston, CT
USA
When I heard on the news that the NYSE workers were going back to work, I wondered what must be going through their minds as they walked to work through rubble and debris and volunteers working to find survivors. I wondered if I could do it. And then I realized that like Americans everywhere, I'd do what I had to. The gift of choice is one of the gifts freedom has given us. And as an American citizen, the choice to sit
Reba, 51+
Silver Spring, MD USA
I suppose I would have to, but I doubt that it would ever feel "usual" for a very long time, if ever.
Dianne, 16
Ontario CANADA
I would have to. Although it would not be "as usual." everything would have changed.
Talia, 24
Wilton, CT
USA
My first thought was logistical: If I still worked on Wall Street, I'd have to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to get to work, as I did during various subway strikes. After that, I realized that the intent of the question was emotional. And yes, I would certainly be able to go back to work as usual. I have always found in crises that having to handle professional demands is extremely therapeutic for me.
Jane, 60
West Linn, OR
USA
No. Nothing will ever be the same again. People are thinking twice about working in a high rise. It's kind of scary that a building is so big and you can't get out. I live in New Jersey and take the train to work in Newark, NJ. People who were on the train with me got off and go the WTC via the Path train. When they got out, debris was falling from the first building. They just turned around and went back on the Path to Newark, NJ. They were lucky. A friend at work heard from his friend after the first attack. He was OK, he was in the second tower. Then the second tower went down. No one has heard from Him since. So many people know someone who is gone. Children in our school system lost parents. A friend's brother was in the WTC for the '93 bombing when he heard the explosion, he just ran to the ferry back to NJ. He watched the towers collapse with his co-workers in it. He left a 2 week old car at the bottom in the WTC garage. Other friends ran for their lives. A guy at church lost 70 of his employees, he was away on business. Todd Beamer, a member of our church, was on Flight 93 Newark to San Fran. It is believed he and others were instrumental in thwarting the hi-jackers. He died a hero but leaves behind a wife, 3 & 1 year old boys and his wife is expecting their third child in January. Since the bombing there have bomb threats in our building, it's kind of scary walking down flights of stairs, out onto the street while police, fire and dogs search your building. We now have to our pocket books, briefcases searched to enter the building for work. Turn our cell phones on and off to make sure they are not detonators for a bomb. Welcome to the new world order. It is not business as usual. Janet, 44
E. Brunswick, NJ USA hell no. i would be so scared if i worked in downtown nyc. i wouldnt be so scared that i would have to quit completely, but i think id take a few days off for a break. i cant even make it to boston anymore -- i was supposed to go for a concert in copley square this weekend but with all that happening lately and what people predict might happen, i think ill be staying in my little suburb for a long time. Karen2, 15
Boston, MA USA I would, but it wouldn't be "as usual". Shanna, 16
Cardiff ENGLAND I would try to. Patty Well, I COULD, but if I worked on Wall Street chances are I could afford to take a few days off. It's a good excuse, no? Kristin, 20
IA USA