Part One: Shaping our response to COVID-19
Over the course of my 17-year career as an emergency preparedness planning specialist, I’ve helped governments, schools, churches and other organizations prepare for all kinds of threats, training hundreds of businesses and thousands of people. The same underlying principles of preparedness apply to every emergency situation, from an active shooter to a pandemic virus:
Have a plan.
Practice doing it.
Update it regularly.
How well we weather this storm will, to a large extent, be a reflection of the quality of the planning, training, and practice that happened well before this crisis. Like you, I have opinions about the federal and District response. But now is not the time for second-guessing. Now is the time for competent implementation by the federal and District governments, and by each of us as individuals, business owners, nonprofit leaders, and others.
I am glad to see that the District has gone into “lock-down” mode, as we’ve seen in other big cities, postponing sporting and cultural events, transferring business activities to telework, and closing all DCPS schools and nearly all charter schools. These are necessary precautions and should slow the spread of the virus considerably.
Nevertheless, significant threats persist. There are things that governments—no matter how well they have planned and prepared—cannot do. This is where the rest of us come in.
As residents and neighbors, we should check on our seniors. A Hill East resident posted on social media, offering to help neighbors who want assistance because they are at higher risk. So many people wanted to assist that she had to set up a google form to collect their offers of help. The outpouring has been overwhelming and heartwarming.
Companies, nonprofits and other organizations should limit the number of people coming into work to essential employees only and encourage telework until the public health emergency is lifted.
All employers should encourage employees to stay home if they feel even a little sick and make sure that decision isn’t an economic hardship for them—that is, ensure that those who stay home sick will still be paid so they can make the healthiest decision for themselves, coworkers, and the community.
Retail stores, restaurants and those in the tourism industries, along with their employees, will be especially affected. I strongly recommend that restaurants and taverns cease operations in the interest of the public good. However, to the extent possible, we can patronize their shops, including by ordering online or purchasing gift certificates now to use later. Some merchants are even willing to bring your purchases out to your car.
Of course, what matters now is not the stock market, the travel and tourism industry, or even the economy. The priority must be containing the spread of the virus and protecting public health. We should hold a steady course through the crisis, no matter how long it may last. We should continue to check on our parents and grandparents, friends and neighbors.
We should all be grateful for the many people who continue to show up to work every day in service to others, from our firefighters, EMTs, and police, nurses and doctors to the people who support their work, the caregivers at nursing homes, and the staff at supermarkets who ensure that we have the food and supplies that we need as we hunker down at home.
The second priority is to tend to the financial well-being of everyone affected. The DC Council is expected to take up a relief package at its next meeting on Tuesday, and I will present some of my recommendations about actions that would provide income support for affected employees and small businesses.
I will share these with all of you in a second post tomorrow.
We will come through this crisis strongest where we have prepared for the worst, heed the call to protect ourselves, and support each other.
—Chander