Look For The Helpers

Fred Rogers (of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood fame) once shared this pearl of wisdom with his fans:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” 

The COVID-19 pandemic has the entire world reeling. The past few weeks have been challenging for us all. Frontline healthcare workers are risking their lives every day by caring for the infected. Many businesses have been forced to lay off or furlough workers as profitability ground to a halt, and students all over the world are dialing in to classrooms from home. Every snippet of news seems to be focused on the unavailability of testing, our lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the fact that our economy is taking a significant hit. It is a scary time, which is why I would like to take a moment to focus on the helpers.

Our nation’s short supply of PPE has sparked action in manufacturing plants all across the nation. The NASCAR Research & Technology Center has been 3D printing face shields ever since racing stopped on March 13th.   Invisible aligner company, byte, (the business venture I find myself the most proud of) has also begun 3D printing face shields, masks, and ventilators for our frontline workers.  Joanne Fabrics has even been giving away facemask kits to home sewers who are able to put together masks for those of us going without. These companies, along with hundreds if not thousands of others are fulfilling their social duty by quickly pivoting their operations in order to help people. It is a humble and honest effort to keep as many people as possible safe and healthy. 

At a smaller level, creativity has flowed among people who find themselves unable to physically connect. Children with birthdays that have fallen during quarantine have celebrated by enjoying short auto parades of their friends and families. Elderly people in nursing homes have been sending photos to their families with signs reassuring them that they are all right. New lives have been welcomed into this world through glass or over FaceTime, and so many pets have been adopted that some shelters stand mercifully empty.

There is good to be found in the world, even on the darkest days. I look forward to seeing how our world will change once the height of this pandemic has passed us by. It is my firm belief that the companies that have shown a quick and decisive ability to adapt will stand strong, and that we will all feel more grateful for the important people in our lives.

I hope that everyone out there stays safe, healthy, and open to the changes we are about to see in the world. Thank you to the helpers. We would not make it through this without you.