Enough is enough

UGLY TEARS. That’s what I’m feeling tonight. As though nearly two years of exhibiting strength during COVID was not enough, Dec. 2, 2021, decided to test my resilience. I failed. More than once today I lost it all and cried. Ugly tears. I’m-ready-to-give-up tears. I-have-no-more-answer tears. How-can-I-possibly-stay-hydrated tears?  As I write this, I will assure you the latter was the least of all concerns.

I think it’s okay to give up for a moment. Life is tough and only destined to get harder. But a better tomorrow will arrive. I’m sure of the outcome. So get through today, rejuvenate tonight, and wake up to a brighter tomorrow. Sleep well.

Rights vs. Responsibilities

There’s a proverbial line in the sand and it’s becoming more pronounced in the fight against COVID-19. With increasing frustration and diminishing empathy, those vaccinated are realizing it is the eligible but unvaccinated prolonging the pandemic. How can herd immunity be attained when there are clearly two herds amongst us?

There is a very large ineligible population that requires protection – children under the age of 12. The best way to protect them is to surround them with those who are vaccinated. Admittedly, it’s hard to create an impenetrable bubble now that schools are back in session and vaccination rates among the eligible have waned.

For the unvaccinated waiting for full FDA approval, all indications are it’s only a matter of days away. Hopefully, those individuals will rush to fulfill their promises once the announcement is made. Individuals who remain apprehensive about the newer mRNA technologies have the one-shot option, which is based on time-tested technologies of the past.

It is a much tougher population to persuade those resisting the vaccination based on personal freedoms. As important as individual rights are in our nation, there’s an even greater imperative to consider societal responsibility. While we are privileged with freedom of speech, we can’t scream ‘fire’ in a crowded theater just to cause chaos. The right to free speech simply does not eclipse the responsibility we have to others not to cause harm. If over the age of 21 the right to drink alcohol is granted. But that right does not transcend the responsibility to society not to drive while intoxicated. Smoking is a personal choice, but smoking in bars, restaurants, workplaces and even public parks in some cases are banned. See how this works? Social norms provide structure, set expectations on behaviors, and protect others from many of the choices we make.

Where and how this pandemic ends is anyone’s guess. And how many more cases, deaths, and hardships will our communities endure that could have been prevented now that we have vaccines available?  Lastly, what horrific impact might the eligible but unvaccinated population have on the proliferation of the virus and its mutations on our unprotected children? For the good of humanity, may the sense of social responsibility outweigh the individual rights argument.   Choose wisely.

The Power of Influence

What does it take to be an influencer? Does it take celebrity, elected office, media presence, an impressive title, or notable works? Or is it as simple as having the capacity to influence someone, something, or the effect itself? Within a family unit, parents have influence as do their children. Teachers, doctors, neighbors, co-workers have an effect on those under their care or within close proximity. Whether casting a wide net of influence or a narrow line, everyone is an influencer to someone. It’s only a matter of degree that differentiates.

There has and continues to be a vast amount of disinformation that flows through media, social, and personal channels. It can be difficult to navigate the sea of information – and misinformation – that rises to the surface. Unless anchored by credible sources, the likelihood of being swept up in a stormy swell is easily possible.

The advent, proliferation, and destructive capabilities of the coronavirus and its mutations is an example of the perfect storm. Regardless of how or why it began, it landed on American shores in early 2020. What seemed like draconian lockdowns occurred, schools and businesses adapted to strict regulations, and as a populace, we hid from the virus with stay-at-home orders to buy time until a solution could be found.

In record-breaking speed, vaccines were developed based on new technologies that had been studied for other diseases, as well as a one-shot version based on the science of older time-tested inoculations. The FDA gave emergency authorization, vaccination sites popped up, and the vulnerable populations waited in long lines for the opportunity to survive the threat and live a normal life again. The end seemed to be in sight. Now eight months into 2021, the pandemic’s end remains elusive.

Today, businesses have reopened and school bells ring ushering in the return of in-person learning. Yet, the Delta variant, which is three to four times more infectious than the original virus, rages. Vaccinations among the eligible stalled, and children under 12 have not been cleared to receive the vaccine. Predictions are that everyone – the vaccinated and the unvaccinated – will be exposed to the Delta at some point. Scientists believe survival of various populations will statistically differ based, in part, on vaccination status.

This would be a good time in our history for the power of individual influence to reign. If you know someone not vaccinated, take the time to find out why. It’s not always for the political reasons that polarize constituents or plague conspiracy theorists. It could be for fear of losing income by taking time off should side effects occur. Or it may be someone doesn’t know where to find information from credible sources or it may be a genuine fear. Some have taken a wait-and-see approach, but further delay at this point could be deadly. Help where you can.

Curious who’s winning the fight against COVID-19 – vaccines or variants? Join political commentator Dan Schnur, a politics professor at USC, UC-Berkeley, and Pepperdine, and host of the weekly Politics in the Time of Coronavirus livestream, as he connects the news cycle with larger political trends to provide insight on the current state of the pandemic. The Valley Industry Association hosts Professor Schnur for a virtual presentation on Thursday, August 19, 2021 starting at 11 a.m. Reservations required; visit www.via.org/calendar to register.

Teresa Todd, founder and owner of Point of View Communications, was named one of The Valley 200 Most Influential Leaders for 2021 by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.

Congratulations!

Preserve Our History and Protect Our Future

We need a do-over year. 2020 has not been all that our new year’s optimism hoped for last January. As we have acquired new skills to pivot, turn, adjust, and readjust in a pandemic, there’s been no shortage of lessons learned. In sharp focus is the reality of all the things taken for granted in the past. Singing. Traveling. Live performances. Shopping in stores. Dining with friends. Gathering for family dinners. Breathing unencumbered.

But an invisible enemy exists and the truth is that the science has not yet changed. As we remain hopefully optimistic for vaccines and therapeutics to launch a counterattack on the virus in the near future, the most prudent course for many people with compromised immune systems and underlying conditions is to remain in hiding from COVID-19.

As though the pandemic were not enough, we as Americans also have a contentious, volatile election in the days ahead. We have unprecedented numbers of live ballots in the hands of registered voters, and the expectation is for staggering numbers of votes to be cast as compared to any other election in our nation’s history. We will hear projections on election night based on exit polling and early returns, but a final tally will be weeks away. The initial Nov. 3rd projections may hold, or they may reverse as all valid ballots are verified and counted. It’s a process, and an intricate one at that. (I’ve participated in a recount or two – two actually at the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder’s office – and, in my opinion, the systems and personnel in place to protect the integrity of the election are exemplary.)

So while many continue to hide from the virus – and rightfully so – the right and responsibility to vote should not be taken for granted. Not even a pandemic should prevent voters from casting and returning their ballot. Whether by mail, drop box, in person, or other means, every vote matters in what is likely be very close races.

Your vote is your voice, and it is powerful.

In addition to a field of candidates for local and national offices, as Californians we also have several notable propositions on the ballot that will yield major impacts if passed. Of significance is Proposition 15, which proposes changes to the famed Proposition 13 passed in 1978 that cut the tax rate on all properties and limited the annual escalation of property taxes. California has had a single or “unified” roll treating all property the same since the 1800s. Proposition 13 didn’t change that; Proposition 15 would.

Now 42 years later, Proposition 15 is on the ballot to erode the long-held protections. Known as ‘Split Roll,’ this measure proposes a division of the county assessor’s property tax roll into two parts: residential and nonresidential property. If passed, this measure repeals part of Proposition 13 that would then require reassessment to market value of business properties.

So where’s the danger? According to Jon Coupel, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, Proposition 15 would raise taxes on supermarkets, shopping malls, office buildings, factories, movie theaters, hotels, restaurants, sports stadiums, warehouses, self-storage facilities, major retailers and other businesses where Californians work or shop. Even the smallest businesses that lease space will face higher rents or will have to pay the higher property taxes as part of their “triple net” lease agreement. Of course, those higher costs are passed on to consumers.

Enough already. California has the highest income tax rate, sales tax, gas tax, and in the top half of states for property taxes even with Proposition 13 protections in place. As a consequence – intended or unintended – Proposition 15 would raise prices, increase the cost of living, and put countless jobs at risk as companies cut back or more exodus the state.

There’s an expression to never let a camel’s nose under the tent. The proverb alleges that if a camel is allowed to get its nose inside a tent, it will be impossible to prevent the rest from entering. In practical terms, it refers to a seemingly innocuous act or decision that will lead to much larger, more serious, and less desirable consequences in the future. Proposition 15 is the camel’s nose and is a direct assault on the protective tent of Proposition 13. If it passes, who and what will be next?  

It’s a clear choice to preserve our history and protect our future. Be safe, stay healthy, and vote responsibly. VOTE NO on PROPOSITION 15.

#Proposition15 #Elections #Voting #Covid19 #California #Business #PointofView #POVPR

Thoughts on leadership, governance, and voting

I don’t remember it like this. I have voted since turning 18-years-old in Springfield, Illinois – the Land of Lincoln – with my father showing me how to pull down the lever at our precinct polling place in Blessed Sacrament School’s lunchroom. Fast forward 44 years – through hanging chads and technology changes – and I find the civic pride and patriotism of becoming an informed voter and casting a ballot reflective of my conscience no longer resembles the days of my political innocence. While I still educate myself on candidates and issues, and align my vote with my values, the public discourse surrounding elections has created an uneasy environment to put it mildly.

Is there a perfect candidate? No. Are there propositions without flaws and unintended consequences? Of course not. But the situation is not hopeless.

Granted, social media has changed the political landscape, and not necessarily for the better. The pandemic further fueled our dependance on resources that eliminate face-to-face engagement. While our physical circle that includes others is relatively small by necessity, the sphere of influence of outside influences has only expanded exponentially. What is real versus fake? What is reliable information and what is comprised of false narratives? Is our mindset being manipulated and, if so, by whom? As individuals, it would take more hours than the day holds to sift through the thousands of messages that infiltrate our news feeds and cycles daily.

So, what is the best way to navigate the barrage of information? Sources. Identify sources who you can trust for information. Train your intellect to recognize bias and question underlying motivations. Aggregate a diversity of opinion pieces to understand more than one side. Then use your best judgement – armed with information from reliable and diverse sources – to cast your vote for what you believe is the best course of action not just for yourself, but for the greater good.

Your vote is your voice, and it is powerful.

And to all those elected once the Nov. 3, 2020 election has been certified – which involves an additional 28 day canvass in Los Angeles County after the polls close – may they lead and govern with wisdom, compassion, and the inherent desire to do good.

The ABC’s of California Lockdown Part II

This second lockdown hit hard.
Enough to inspire an alphabet lesson.

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A)    A is for Awkward that we’ve been in lockdown once before and here we go again.
B)     B is for Been here before and not happy about returning.
C)     C is for Covid/Coronavirus, which do not seem inclined to leave our vocabulary.
D)    D is for Death, which is an outcome many of us are clearly trying to avoid.
E)     E is for Educate yourself so you are not ignorant.
F)     F is for Fauci and all his tough love, give-it-to-us-straight leadership.
G)    G is for Gambling with our lives for those who refuse to take this virus seriously.
H)    H is for Halt the spread.
I)      I is for Ignorance that can be fixed with education.
J)     J is for Joke as in this is NO joke. Let’s get serious about flattening the curve this time around.
K)     K is for Kindness that we need more toward each other.
L)     L is for Lead by example; wash your hands, wear a mask, social distance, and stay home as much as possible.
M)   M is for Mask that properly fits and covers your face to help protect you from me and me from you and slow the spread.
N)    N is for Nose, the appendage that uncovered renders the mask useless.
O)    O is for Over the whining and self-righteous people who don’t feel rules apply to them.
P)     P is for Protocols that define how to keep ourselves and each other safe.
Q)    Q is for Quandary in that do we protect ourselves and each other by following protocols
or take a stand on perceived rights not to follow established guidance; hope you choose the former.
R)     R is for Rule. We have many of them for a reason. Accept them.
S)     S is for Science that body of knowledge continually evolving as we learn more about the novel coronavirus.
T)     T is for Travel that we all miss dearly.
U)    U is for Unmistakable threat the coronavirus presents to our health, economy, and existence.
V)    V is for Vacation that we cannot take.
W)   W is for Wisdom/Wash/Wear. Wisdom not gained in the first go-around; Wash your hands always;
Wear a mask whenever outside the home.
X)     X is for eXtra precautions to protect yourself and loved ones. Take them.
Y)     Y is for YOU can make a difference in getting us on the right track to get our lives back to some sense of normalcy.
Z)     Z is for Zoom meeting again.

Bottom line: Don’t share your air. People: Mask your faces to reduce the cases. Don’t be fools; follow the rules.
Listen to expertise and follow their guidance PLEASE!

Communication Is Essential

Leave it to a pandemic to open a dialogue on what professions are considered essential versus those that are not. In times of crisis, there is no question that communication is essential. But before trouble strikes, building a strong foundation of supporters, advocates, stakeholders, and constituents when times are good is crucial. This will be a key learning moving forward.