Doing Business in a Pandemic

I wrote this a post about this yesterday and deleted it last night. It seemed too normal.

Nothing about these times is normal.  

Just like you, I’ve never been in this situation before. But here are some thoughts.

Change Your Thinking

Here's more. 

Now it the time to do Social Distancing.

"If you act today, you will have averted four times as many infections in the next month: roughly 2,400 averted infections, versus just 600 if you wait one week.”

Don't Ask The Wrong Question

How will this affect the economy, or your economy, is the wrong question. See this tweet thread by an economist whose thinking I've found very sound. 

I'm going to order RADICAL UNCERTAINTY which was recommended by Tim Harford another economist whose thinking I enjoy. It's about how to make decisions when you have no certainty - and how not to fall prey to made up numbers. 

Keep everyone safe

This means have people work remotely if possible. And follow these recommendations:

• Make it easy for people who are sick to stay home.
• Wash hands often and like a surgeon (I was doing it wrong).
• Disinfect frequently. Especially your phone – which touches your face. Also keyboards, mice, pens, etc.
• Use social distancing. Don’t go out. Stay 6-10 feed away from others if you must shop. If enough people do this now it will have huge effect. If not, see the chart above. 

Some of this is about keeping yourself healthy but also it lowers your potential to infect others who may be older or sicker.

Be Generous

Mark Cuban (and others) are reimbursing employees who eat lunch at local restaurants. This was published before dining in at restaurants was prohibited. I hope it applies to take out.

Comcast is offering free internet for low income people and expanding speeds for others.

What can you do? I'm not religious, but this prayer has some ideas. 

Take Care of Yourself Emotionally

Whether that’s pictures of babies or animals, or humor (I enjoy the dark variety – unlike my taste in chocolate), or whether it’s the blues and poignant melancholy. Get some on a regular basis.

Here’s how Sicily is coping.