Summary

The current phase of the COVID-19 crisis is more dangerous due to increased asymptomatic transmission, necessitating heightened safety measures to protect communities and loved ones.

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has entered a new, more perilous phase, with the virus spreading more widely among asymptomatic individuals, increasing the risk of unknowing transmission and community spread. This shift has led to a direct impact on personal lives, with friends and family members contracting the disease, and has underscored the importance of adhering to safety guidelines such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and sanitizing. The author emphasizes the need for collective action to prevent the closure of businesses and schools, advocating for personal responsibility and the adoption of daily habits that prioritize safety for the well-being of the entire community.

Opinions

The author believes that the current situation is more dangerous than earlier in the crisis due to the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers.
There is a concern that employees may contract COVID-19 outside of work and inadvertently spread it in the workplace, leading to potential business closures.
The author has personally been affected by the pandemic, with friends and relatives falling ill and some dying, which has made the situation more real and frightening.
Despite the fatigue associated with the pandemic, the author insists on the importance of following safety guidelines to avoid becoming an unwitting transmitter of the virus.
The author has made the difficult decision to avoid gatherings with extended family during the holidays out of love and concern for their safety.
The author advocates for a collective effort in doubling down on safety measures to keep communities functioning and to avoid the severe consequences of another shutdown.
The author emphasizes the nobility and courage in being disciplined about safety measures for the sake of loved ones and the community at large.
The author feels a responsibility to remind others of the importance of safety to prevent further disruptions to schools and businesses.
The author suggests that being open and safe is possible and necessary for the health of the community and economy.

This Moment In The COVID-19 Crisis Is Different — And More Dangerous

Let’s act in ways that are appropriate for now

While the present may feel like earlier months in the COVID-19 crisis, it is not the same. We are entering a much more dangerous phase of this crisis.

We need to see how it is different and understand why it is more likely to affect all of us and our loved ones. We will also need to adjust our response accordingly.

Lesson to Learn

This time, the virus is much more prevalent among asymptomatic carriers that don’t know they have it. This means that many more of us can more easily get it, not have symptoms, and pass it on to those who could get sick.

Many businesses are safe in their operations. However, their employees are contracting COVID-19 during the off-hours. Then they bring it to work.

When this happens, it could be spread silently to others. Cases in the workplace can be disruptive when 14-day quarantines are required. This can close a business — and put it out of business permanently. Also, as the sheer numbers of those who have COVID-19 grow — and especially those carriers without symptoms — more people will end up seriously sick and in our hospitals, and some will even die.

This disease can shut down our communities again. That would be devastating to all.

Answer for Me

This has now impacted my life. Like so many, my friends and relatives have caught the disease. I know those who have died.

Early in the crisis, it was not affecting my friends and family directly. Now it is.

This is scary and more real than ever. At the same time, closing our businesses and schools has confirmed sometimes severe consequences. We need to be safe and open.

This means that while I may have COVID-19 fatigue, I am not excused from following the guidelines of wearing a mask, social distancing, and sanitizing. I must do these things, or I could become a silent killer. I am not sure how I would live with killing someone I love because I was not safe.

This means I will not be with my extended family on Thanksgiving or Christmas. I love them too much to do so. This is my choice.

My best advice is to be safe — very safe.

Action

We all need to double down on being safe for our communities to function. I don’t get to be selfish and let down my guard.

We need to do this together.

We need to remind people why our communities and economy require us to be safe. Being disciplined is hard — but both noble and courageous.

We need to do this for the ones we love and for the entire community.

Daily Habits

Each day I need to assess my schedule. Who could I come into contact with?

How can I carry out my day safely? I owe it to others.

I also have responsibilities to remind others to be safe. We don’t want to shut down our schools and businesses. We need to be open and safe.

We all need to be responsible.

To learn more about leadership visit me at www.macny.org.

To get a copy of my book Present-Future Leader goes to www.amazon.com.