Three things I have learned from dealing with COVID-19
- Simplification in our lives is sometimes needed
- Rely on facts rather than opinion, then follow
- Financial responsibility is key to preparedness
In February I started to watch more closely the events unfolding around the world with the spread of COVID-19. With a son who was living in the Philippines and a foreign exchange student living in our home from Italy, I was regularly looking at world news trying to keep up with the impact of the spread of the virus in Asia and Europe. As each day passed, I knew this virus was something that could potentially cause extended disruptions close to home. Then, on March 11, I felt the weight of this global pandemic really hit me when President Trump suspended travel from Europe to the United States and the NBA suspended their season after Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19. March Madness was cancelled, Disney closed their parks, and no more public gatherings over 10 people including no church services. Schools were closed. Directives came from health officials to stay home and the stock market started to tank. This potential disruption now had immediate and direct implications on my life, as well as family and friends all around the world.
As a professional recruiter, I work with a number of businesses who are constantly in need of new employees to grow their businesses. When the news from March 11th hit, many of these companies put the breaks on hiring, pausing to see how the effects of this new pandemic would impact their short and long-term financial stability. The economy in the United States moved quickly from a place of strength to a position of worry. People who were excitedly looking for the next great job any day were now starting to fear.
In the midst of the uncertainties and disruptions caused by COVID-19, I have learned to admire many simple things of life that used to be overlooked. First and foremost, life slowed down for many of us. Activities that kept parents running their kids all over town, stopped. Long commutes to work turned into people being able to work from home. Running to the grocery store every other day for food changed to larger grocery pickups once every one or two weeks. Other events that kept our lives over scheduled were suspended. I must admit that while I do miss some of these activities, I have enjoyed the calm that has come into my home from simplifying our lives. My perspective on life, my family, my faith and my friends has all changed for the better.
Secondly, I've learned to respect and listen to the views of people who actually know what is going on. So often we find ourselves being sucked into the opinion of others who in actuality have no idea what is going on. Opinions and editorials from news sources or social media are often times based on no factual evidence or data to support a false narative. Physicians, epidemiologists and other trained health professionals with the knowledge and experience to help protect the spread of the virus are the heroes we should all be listening to and thanking. As I've watched our country and others turn to the advice of the real professionals, we see a flattening of the curve, deaths reduced, and parts of our lives returning to some levels normality. Action and compliance to the directives by those who know will save lives.
Third, I have been interested to really understand how the effects of this virus have impacted most of us. The actual virus has a serious health impact on only a very small portion of our population. What has been most significant is the financial and economic toll across families and businesses due to the shut down we see across many parts of the world. I ask myself how prepared we were, financially, for an event like this? Do we have an emergency fund or savings to keep us from suffering through serious financial hardships for more than two weeks? Are we pushing so hard to grow our wealth that the risks we incur put undue strain on our financial institutions when a crisis hits? I don't have all the data to form a conclusive answer, but I do worry that we may have taken lightly the practical advice given by professionals to live within a budget and to be prepared. I have noticed those who were financially prepared are dealing with this pandemic much better than those who were living beyond their means.
While going through a global pandemic has been challenging in many ways, I've learned from it. I'm grateful for our dedicated teachers who continue to educate our children from home. I'm grateful for our government leaders who are helping to support our communities while putting politics aside. I'm grateful for business owners who are sacrificing to keep their doors open. I'm grateful for our medical professionals who are risking their lives to care for those in need. I'm grateful for other essential services, and the people putting in overtime to support local communities. People have come together in many ways to support rather than tear down. What a pleasant change! In times of need we see the best of people. I'm inspired and encouraged by the goodness I see by so many. We will move forward stronger and better as we serve together through this unique time.