[JohnBooty]

Well said. I completely agree.

    But many people have most of their human interaction
    through work and associated activity (commute, lunches,
    dinner after work, etc.)

I think that is very unhealthy though. Obviously it's not something that can be changed easily or immediately (especially during this pandemic) but I would urge anybody reading this to steer away from this mode of existence whenever possible.

I have made amazing, lifelong friends through workplaces, but depending on one's workplace for human interaction is fraught. Workplaces are generally unhealthy places to varying degrees.

This is capitalism. I am not anti-capitalism, but the reality is that capitalism is all about extracting value from labor. Making friends at work is a bit like chunks of fruit befriending each other as they're fed through a juice presser.

    As an introvert with a medical condition, a wife and 
    three kids at home, remote working is the best thing 
    that's ever happened in my career,

This is wonderful to read!