leadership during covid

A few weeks into the pandemic and we were just learning how disruptive this event was going to be. And, unlike the many hurricanes we have weathered, there didn't seem to be a known end in sight. As the shelves of toilet paper, bottled water, and other staples sat empty, it became readily apparent our lives were going to be impacted in ways yet unforeseen. How does a leader balance the need to prepare for scarcity without being alarmist?

These thoughts were on my mind when I wrote the following to my unit.

April, 10 2020: Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears!

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears!

Or eyes, in this case, but I think we can all agree on the intent. Stay at Home orders are oddities with many second and third order effects. For example, my daughter has decided baking will help her remain sane. It isn’t working, for her, her brothers, or me. I’m not a baker so I had very limited quantities of flour on hand. She quickly used the 2 cups and started rummaging in the cupboards. She found Miso soup mix, that expired in 2009 (so, when does that mean I purchased it?). She found almonds from 2012 and sunflower seeds from 2014. She eventually stopped asking ‘why, Dad? WHY!??!’ and just threw things away. She eventually found almond flour. Like I said, I’m not a baker and have no idea why there is almond and coconut flour in my cupboard. The cookies were dense, flat, and delicious. But they caused an awful stomach ache so I started looking for regular flour. That was 2 weeks ago and none was to be found. I did find 40 pound bags at Costco but refused to purchase such an obscene quantity. She isn’t opening her own bakery just making some cookies. I did eventually find some and her cookie skills are getting better, with fewer second order effects.

As I expanded my flour search it got me to thinking- what other items might become scare? My son needed a computer for college and I noticed the inventory was thin. My daughter needed more pants (she lives on the Gulf Coast and hasn’t been warm since she arrived in Astoria) and those were limited, too. Makes sense, as the Asian markets closed (which is where we get many of our goods) the inventory dried up. What else may become scarce? Are we prepared for a Cascadia earthquake?

I’m not a prepper. In fact, I’m their worst nightmare with 3 days of food on hand. I’m not advocating for hoarding. No need to make a run on toilet paper and ammo. But I did buy some extra canned goods. I’m set to make tuna noodle casserole for weeks. I also took this opportunity to rationalize upgrading my camping supplies with a better water filtration system. To wash down all that casserole. Are you and your families positioned to weather the next storm?

There are other second and third order effects, too. For example, my youngest shared an article with me about how the reduced traffic has made the earth quieter. Seismologists are getting more tectonic data than ever. And in northern India, for the first time in 30 years, the Himalayas are visible 100 miles distant. They’re reading ‘good’ air quality day after day when a year ago they may have had 1 or 2 a month.

For my family, it has meant cleaner cupboards, chocolate chip cookies, and family time. Although that last one has consequences. My burgeoning Betty Crocker has declared ‘no more bored games’ and no, that wasn’t misspelled. She saw on TikTok where a family presented each other’s PowerPoints. I’m not sure how that is fun but she is very excited to try it out this weekend.

I’m not a religious person, but I do consider myself spiritual and want to recognize the importance of this month for the religious and spiritual among us. The weather is forecast to be gorgeous for the next week. I encourage everyone to take time to relax, reconnect, and recharge. Stay at Home orders are oddities with many second and third order effects. Not all are bad. I encourage you to find the good in our current circumstances and lift each other up.

With admiration, gratitude, and optimism,

Your Sector Commander

PS Call your Mom!