People First!
Why would it be any different?
Why People First? It’s a question that I am often asked.
Why not? If not people, then what should be first?
Bonus points to any reader if you write and tell me why I might have chosen this photograph for this article?This past week, I have been reminded … over and over again … that ‘People First’ might seem logical - but it is not how this world is, or gets reported.
Let me open with a doozy that is so unbelievable, I had to do some checking.
SoftBank Owned Patent Troll, Using Monkey Selfie Law Firm, Sues To Block Covid-19 Testing, Using Theranos Patents. This was correct on Monday - but by Tuesday they were already pulling back … Ars Technica. But who thought this was a good idea to begin with?
The links below are just a small sample of news stories from this past week that should make you sit up and ask - what about people?
The House coronavirus bill’s paid leave provision would leave out millions of workers. (Read more at Vox).
An Emerging Coronavirus Concern: Eviction. (Read more at CityLab). That said California seems to be working to get ahead of that particular curve: Newsom Issues Executive Order to Protect Renters and Homeowners During COVID-19 Pandemic.
Is it Ethical to Order Delivery During a Pandemic? (Read more at Wired).
Airlines seek more than $50 billion in federal aid as the coronavirus outbreak takes a growing toll on air travel (read more at The Chicago Tribune). To put this into perspective as I write, the market cap of American, United and Delta added together is $35 billion, but don’t feel sorry for the airlines;
Before providing them any assistance, we must demand that they change how they treat their customers and employees.
Millions of Americans could lose their jobs in a coronavirus recession. Many won’t get severance pay. (Read more at CNBC).
Trump's attempt to buy a coronavirus vaccine (you can’t make this up) shows why big pharma needs to change. (Read more at The Guardian).
Why Sanctions Against Iran and Venezuela During a Pandemic Are Cruel.
You too watch the news and you know that it is mainly reporting;
Exponential increases in growing numbers of cases across the world.
Precipitous drops of financial markets across the world.
The questions being asked by mainstream media are primarily about how markets and business will recover - few ask how people will recover.
On a more positive note, Josh Bersin - Forbes contributor takes a different stance;
Coronavirus Response: People First, Economics Second. (Read more at Forbes)
“The US Federal Government has not been doing this well. Not only is it difficult to get clear information, but the #1 goal appears to be focused on the economy.”
Sanity is available - you just need to know where to look!
On which topic … these words by ‘Cameron Wiggins Belim’ came to me this past week via Pono Shim of OEDB in Hawaii. They are powerful, so I am sharing.
May we who are merely inconvenienced
remember those whose lives are at stake.May we who have no risk factors
remember those most vulnerable.May we who have the luxury or working from home
remember those who must choose between
preserving their health or making their rent.May we who have flexibility to care for our children
when their schools close
remember those that have no options.May we who have to cancel our trips
remember those who have no safe place to go.May we who are losing our margin of money
in the tumult of the economic market
remember those who have no margin at all.May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
remember those who have no home.As fear grips our country,
let us choose love.During this time,
when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
let us find other ways to embrace.
This Week’s Eight Pillar Index.
My thanks for your continued support and attention. Please like the post, share through your social channels of choice and forward the email to colleagues, friends and family that want to join us on this journey. I truly appreciate all of your support and all your comments (positive and negative).
