As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, we find ourselves impacted in ways we have not previously considered. Dealing with new challenges has pushed everyone out of their comfort zones and forced us to reconsider what is actually essential. Many of the assurances we previously took for granted are now under siege. Even our basic human interactions have been directly impacted. Paradigms are shifting all over.
In December of 2016, I wrote an article titled “Celebrate the Unsung Heroes in Critical Facilities.” The article was a tribute to those who report to and remain at work so the rest of us can feel safe and confident that essential services we rely upon will continue unabated. Back then, I realized that during adverse conditions, they were expected to make sacrifices and even face increased risks, so the rest of the community had access to the staples we all need. Today, I see the same essential staff providing the same essential services but, now, with potentially life-threatening ramifications. As the “nonessential” populace self-isolates during these lockdowns, many of these essential services and products become scarce, making their acquisition critical.