COVID-19 Can’t Quarantine the Human Spirit
As we wind down 2020, much of the world’s focus is on the unprecedented impact of COVID-19. This has certainly been a year for the history books.
A number of our associates and their families have battled the unthinkable – the disease itself – and some lost the fight to this virus that has claimed far too many lives. Most people have faced some sort of restrictions or control measures in their community, or juggled home schooling with job demands, or maybe they’ve been managing pre-existing health conditions.
Regardless of the circumstances, I think I can speak for everyone when I say 2021 can’t get here soon enough.
But before we turn the page on 2020, I want to acknowledge the beautiful human spirit that was put on display around the world during this global pandemic.
Who can forget the citizens in Italy, who overcame isolation and depression during a nationwide quarantine and instead made breathtaking music on their balconies? Harps, guitars, singing and even the beating together of wooden spoons – it was an unforgettable stand against the disease.
My heart was warmed when I saw quarantined New York City residents stand in solidarity night after night, clapping out of their open windows for the healthcare and other essential workers who were leaving their hospital shifts, exhausted and discouraged.
I couldn’t be prouder of the countless Marriott associates around the world, who stood in the gap for COVID-19 relief efforts. Their contributions are too many to list here but include hosting blood drives, collecting and donating cleaning supplies, food and linens for hospitals and others in need, donating computers, monitors and keyboards to low-income families forced to home school, volunteering at factories to make masks, and opening hotel doors to frontline workers who needed a place to rest after long days and nights providing care.
To be sure, the pandemic has not been the world’s only challenge this year. Marriott associates responded accordingly, donating thousands of pounds of clothing to communities in need, hosting mangrove planting and beach clean-up events to help fragile ecosystems and volunteering hundreds of hours to train students interested in hospitality careers, among many other efforts.
All of it was wonderful to see.
As we look forward to 2021, I remain optimistic about the future. I believe that once there is a vaccine available to be widely distributed, the world will begin to rebuild and recover.
The human spirit is strong and resilient, and I am filled with gratitude for that.
Today, I offer my best wishes to all for a joyous and healthy holiday season. Happy new year!
Worldwide Travel Agent at AAA, and lover of wines worldwide!
4 年Thank you, Mr. Marriott. As a worker in your industry, I appreciate your compassion and motivation. As an American, I greatly appreciate your role in beginning the movement to pause the corporate donations to politicians at this time. Exactly what is needed right now. Thank you.
Driver
4 年Mr. Bill, I read some time ago how you started out being neighborly with turning your home into a bed and breakfast (I hope that information is correct). That showed me that Marriott has a strong foundation of high standards...which became the best! Not only was such information a delight to read, it caused me to have wanted to be at the beginnings of Marriott! Mr. Bill, I worked hard on my department to keep the highest standard of clean of laundry for the guests. I wanted to be sure the laundry, especially the towels, facial cloths, hand towels and fitted sheets stayed "snow" white. I put up such a fuss with how other workers were using the products for cleaning cloths and putting them back on the shelf for customers, that I got not only written up and reprimanded, but taken down to work only Two days a week! Who is able to pay bills on $200 a month? You want guests given the best service. So did I. Because I have bills to pay, I thought to go do another job similar, saying to not schedule me for the next two weeks, now I regret it! I requested to come back but the hotel manager says no! She hired others back, why won't she allow me? I only called in sick once and got a write up at that. What would you do in my position?
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4 年Thank you for this, as someone who battles mental health issues I loved going to your hotels a few times a year and it allowed me to be on my own and relax, unwind and feel great, 2020 was a horrible year. Here’s hoping to getting my vaccine soon and being able to travel and enjoy your hotels again.
Accomplished Hospitality & Hotel Professional with extensive international experience
4 年The Spirit...it's all about that, as we have all learnt from you Mr. Marriott!