COVID-19 is teaching us harsh lessons about everything from the need to wash our hands properly to the importance of preparing for pandemics. What if we decided to use these lessons to prepare for the future?
I acknowledge that that future could be a long way off. Even after we are “safe,” we will need to mourn all we have lost and to rebuild. But here are some things we can carry with us so that, hopefully, the next crisis will not hit us as hard.
In a leadership position? Lead thoughtfully and with compassion.
No one wants to lead through a crisis, but crises happen. When they do, we look to our leaders to put together thoughtful plans designed to help those who will suffer the most. Even when they feel as frightened as everyone else, the best leaders inspire confidence as they calmly communicate the current state of things and what they expect for the future. They unite us and help inspire us to work together for the good of everyone.
How does such a leader pull together a thoughtful plan? They look to people who know more than they do.
We need to trust experts.
Contrary to what you might think given our inaction on vital problems like climate change, Americans have a great deal of confidence in certain experts, such as scientists and doctors. Of course, experts aren’t always right, and new discoveries require us to refine our understanding of the world. But while these authorities are not deities, they have a great deal of skill and knowledge in their area of expertise. We must be willing to tap their knowledge when faced with a crisis… even when their opinions are unpopular or make us look bad.
We need to prepare for crises well ahead of time.
Times like these remind us how important it is to be prepared for emergencies, on a personal level as well as a governmental or organizational level. When the coronavirus stopped being a distant threat, and we considered the possibility of being quarantined for 14 days, we asked ourselves: Do I have enough food? Do I have enough toilet paper? For many of us, the answer was “no.”
There are a lot of factors that have played into shortages of food and household supplies. Supply chains haven’t caught up with the rapid changes we’ve made as many of us work and cook more at home. But there’s no doubt that many of us started stocking up once we saw the need to be prepared for an extended stay at home. And when items become scarce, we may start to feel panicky and buy more than we need… just in case.
Preparing for emergencies is good, but in situations like these, it’s best if those of us who feel unprepared take a deep breath, figure out what we need to be better equipped for a crisis, and then work on gathering these things bit by bit. Wish you had more beans, rice, pasta, and canned soup on hand? Make a list of what you want to put in your pantry and get just a few items from the list every time you go shopping.
We need better safety nets.
It’s hard to stash money in an emergency fund or stock up your pantry if you can barely make ends meet. And even if you are prepared for the future, a run of bad luck, such as a cancer diagnosis and a lost job, can wipe out everything you’ve saved and leave you in debt. Now is the time for us to look at setting up a safety net that can help those who need it. We need paid sick leave, health care that isn’t tied to employment, and well-funded programs to help those who are unemployed or underemployed.
We need to reject false choices, such as “safety vs. the economy.”
Arguments over whether governments should shut things down or open them back up focus on two options: Either we do our best to protect the health of others at the expense of our economy, or those who are most vulnerable need to sacrifice themselves for the sake of an economic rebound. That’s a simplistic, false choice. What if we decided to approach this pandemic with creative thinking? What if the question isn’t “Do we save lives or save the economy?” What if it really is “How can we preserve the most lives while keeping our economy as healthy as possible during this crisis?”
Sometimes we need to put care for others ahead of personal rights.
I’m not advocating for erasing the Bill of Rights, nor am I saying that we can never advocate for ourselves. But in times of crisis like this, it’s good to remember: “It’s not about me.”
I think most people who are want to open businesses again right now are concerned about the economic effects of shutting things down during the pandemic. But there are those who seem to be emphasizing personal liberty above all else.
What’s more important in life? My rights, my liberties? Or caring for the well-being of others more than I care for going wherever I like right now? I believe we are called to focus less on ourselves and more on love for others.
Reducing unnecessary travel makes a difference.
If we had the power to go back in time and stop this pandemic, I think only the most hard-hearted person would refuse. But in the midst of all this suffering, there is some good news: There has been a significant decrease in emissions as people have reduced travel and other activities that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
The question is: How can we sustain this positive change once we move into recovery? Can we carry a conservation-focused mindset with us, perhaps encouraging continued telecommuting and reducing the number of errands we run? Will we commit ourselves to investing more in alternative energy technologies? The evidence is promising: If we work to make environmentally friendly changes, those changes really can make a difference.
We need to be mindful of the most vulnerable people in times of crisis.
We are all suffering right now, and no matter who you are, your suffering is valid. It’s okay to feel anxious or depressed, even if you are better off than other people.
But as some people have reminded us: “We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat.” COVID-19 is disproportionately killing African Americans. The earliest job losses in the United States have hit people of color hardest. As lockdowns have increased, so has domestic violence.
We do not need to deny our own suffering, but it’s important for us to look out for the people who are most vulnerable right now.
Little things really do matter.
It’s easy to believe that we can’t make a difference. There are billions of people on this planet. What can one person do?
Just choosing to stay home really can make a difference right now. If you are asymptomatic, you could unknowingly spread the coronavirus to others; choosing to stay home right now, and to wear a mask and practice social distancing when you go out, could save lives.
Beyond that, the news is filled with heartening stories of people choosing to do little things that are helping others and brightening the world. Forty-three men volunteered to live in a factory for 28 days, making enough polypropylene to make 500 million N95 masks, if it all went to that particular kind of protective equipment. A 12-year-old is putting on bagpipe performances outside senior living facilities. One person gave their entire stimulus check as a tip for a take-out order.
Think what you do doesn’t make a difference? It does, my friend. It really does.