Tippets by Taps - Issue #126
New week, new issue. This week is, as much of the world experiencing, a COVID-19 takeover. We look at why we must all act now, COVID-19’s impact on the grocery supply chain (TL;DR - not much), a history of disease in the US, WFH tips, and more. Enjoy, and stay healthy!
Coronavirus: Why You Must Act Now
The best explainer of Coronavirus I’ve come across. Complete with data, graphs, and analysis, this goes into depth about the spread of the virus and what one should do. I’m not going to begin to summarize. Read this one.
The companies that feed America brace for labor shortages and worry about restocking stores as coronavirus pandemic intensifies
Anyone who has gone to the grocery store this week has likely been greeted by empty aisles and somewhat frantic fellow shoppers, trying to figure out what to buy and where. It was an eerie feeling for me, something out of a Will Smith movie. It was also unfortunate to find all of my 18 mo old son’s food groups - bread, pasta, bananas, eggs, and whole milk - were bare (mac and cheese and chicken nuggets it is…) In times like this it’s easy to spiral into end of days thoughts. We’re going to run out of food. The supply chain is totally hosed. We need to stock up!
The reality is slightly different.
Food producers and supply chain managers say there is generally enough nonperishable food on shelves, in warehouses and on the production line to last several months, but the challenge could soon be getting that food to the right places once local distribution centers are wiped out.
In addition, millions of Americans who previously got food at restaurants or in school or at work cafeterias will have to serve themselves at home, with food bought from grocery big-box enterprises.
Although grocery stores may struggle in the short term to keep shelves stocked, some experts say current shortages are temporary supply-chain glitches. American stockpiles of basic foods are strong, they say. Lowell Randel, vice president of government and legal affairs for Global Cold Chain Alliance, which provides temperature-controlled storage and distribution to 1,300 companies in 85 countries, says he sees no supply problems.
Buy what makes you comfortable, stock up as desired, but remember that there is more coming. And, when you go into the grocery store (or any store that’s open really) over the next few weeks, please thank the employees working there.
When Epidemics Wreaked Havoc in America
The history of the United States is a history of overcoming disease. Deadly infectious diseases were once common in the U.S., until science conquered them. In today’s crisis, it’s worth recalling those celebrated victories.
The impact of disease on American history is a remarkably understudied subject. Textbooks give it short shrift in comparison to political, military, diplomatic and economic affairs, but the catalog of key episodes is long. We must not forget that the European conquest and settlement of the Americas were largely dependent on the deadly diseases the settlers brought; or that the grand plan of the Continental Congress to conquer Quebec in 1775 was halted, in large part, by a fearful smallpox outbreak among the troops; or that more American soldiers died from influenza during World War I than from battle wounds, in a pandemic that killed upward of 50 million people.
Many wonder as well about the new dangers unleashed by globalization. Germs travel, and the consequences can be severe. But that’s the way it’s been for centuries, at an admittedly slower pace. Yellow fever and malaria came to North America from Africa; cholera and typhus rode the steamers and “coffin ships” that discharged immigrant cargo at our shores. History assures us that Covid-19 will be conquered by science and that another virus, originating in a bat cave, a pig farm or an open-air poultry market somewhere in the world, will rise up to take its place. That’s the nature of the beast.
In times like this, when anxiety turns so easily to fear, it sometimes helps to focus upon an optimistic vision of the future. For me, it’s the image of a war hero turned president tearfully thanking a selfless researcher for helping to save the children of the world.
How to Work from Home: Tips on Staying Healthy, Sane, Productive
The spread of COVID-19 is a defining moment in world history as the Internet economy’s first real pandemic. 2020 will be the year we transitioned from the PC (Pre COVID) world to an AC (After COVID) world. Its impact on how we live and work will reverberate for years to come. One change taking root today is the notion of Work from Home. Next week I’ll share my thoughts on WFH, but for now this piece on how to stay sane while WFH offers some solid tips (albeit not a bunch of great ones if you’ve got kids home from school…)
#facts
The coronavirus is driving up divorce rates in a Chinese city
A record high divorce rate has been reported in the city of Xi'an in China — officials said it’s likely due to couples stuck in quarantine together…
The Global Times reported that the Chinese city of Xi'an has seen a record-high number of divorce requests in recent weeks, with some districts even maxing out the number of appointments available at local government offices.
Health officials say the increase could be explained by two factors.
First, offices have been closed for a month, so are likely be hit by a wave of delayed requests now that they’ve re-opened, the Global Times reported.
Secondly, many people have been quarantined in close quarters, creating an especially inflammatory environment for marital feuding.
Yikes.
Quote I’m thinking about: “The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own…” — Epictetus (pulled from a solid article you can find here)