The great equalizer.

I am not sure at what stage we are with the Coronavirus, now called Covid 19, but I fear it will get much worse. It has seemed like most news; it is from somewhere else so we are out of harms reach. It was playing out like a movie; countries falling into total quarantine, the stock market dropping like a rock and cruise ships with sick passengers unable to dock. Even with that news I could understand the cancelling of events with a global draw, but to cancel a local or regional event on the off-chance someone had the virus seemed a little crazy, but that changed today with a vengeance.

President Trump held a press conference in an attempt to calm the nation with his prescription to shore up the economy. His saving grace has been the booming economy and he was right but this may be the one enemy he can’t outsmart, because it possibly made the mood worse. The NBA cancelled the rest of the season after one of our players (Jazz) was diagnosed with the virus at tip-off. The NCAA cancelled the beloved March Madness basketball tournament and the Stock Market is disappearing before our very eyes. My god Disneyland is closing! Locally, the LDS Church will not allow anyone to attend the upcoming semi-annual general conference and the list of school closures is growing by the hour.

I was working with a favorite rep today, one I always look forward to. We plan our schedules so we focus only on new business. It is a great way to “Sharpen your saw” as Steven R Covey wrote in his bestseller “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” The day started out promisingly with positive engagement with our target calls. We had talked as one would expect about current events but tried to not dwell on it too much and bring our mood down. We did well until our last call right after lunch. The Governor of Utah held a press conference to bring the residents of the state up to speed on the growing pandemic (The World Health Organization officially named it this yesterday.) This customer had a TV monitor in his office and because it was “Breaking News” it was on. It had become crystal clear we were in serious trouble.

As I alluded to before, I am unsure what the outcome will be but I know it will get worse. The curious thing today is the vibe was eerily similar to 9/11. You could feel the mood deteriorate as the day wore on, and the fear was palatable in some people. If there is a positive side it is that this affects everyone equally without discrimination unlike a terrorist targeting specific assets. Regardless of your ethnicity, religious beliefs or location on the planet you will be affected.

This is a jarring way to be brought back to reality and what is truly important. Family and their wellbeing is it. Whining over perceived lost career opportunities or turning 65 is stupid and a waste of energy.