“We are all in this together...”
I was recently reading an article as it related to leadership during a time of crisis and I was struck by the example of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, our 32nd President. It was his first ‘Fireside Chat’ delivered 8 days after taking office in 1933. The article mentioned that the ‘entire American Banking System was in disarray’ following the Great Depression and he was planning the re-opening of Banks and needed the support of the Federal Government. It went on to say that he made it clear that the ‘success of this move was completely dependent on the principle of “we are all in this together”.
As we continue to navigate this National Crisis and we layer on the political and social unrest that is now a part of the daily news narrative, this message that FDR gave 87 years ago is still quite relevant.
As we are in the process of carefully ‘reopening’ at Pickering Manor, we must continue to be vigilant. We all recognize that with each baby step of progress, it opens the door to the possibility of consequences. We know that many are facing similar decisions in other areas such as our educational systems. The social and emotional welfare of our residents are at stake. Due to our COVID-19-free status, we are now able to allow them to dine together; as well as participate in activities outside their rooms. We continue to restrict visitors from entering into their living space, but we communicate with their families through FaceTime and ‘porch visits’. Through the generosity of a local Home Health company, we have a plexiglass barrier that will allow us to invite the families (one person at a time) into the living room to sit with their loved one.
These are all incredibly difficult decisions that again, bear consequences. While we would like nothing more than to throw open the doors and allow a steady stream of families to enter and love all of us, we cannot yet do that. As a leader, I ask for your continued patience as I pray for my own.
We will all move through this...it is only a ‘moment’ in time while it seems like forever. Our own children, our own families, ourselves...are all being impacted and we all must make decisions that are best for others. This Crisis has required us to strive to be selfless; not selfish. So we wear masks to protect others, we socially distance to protect others, and we restrict our social gatherings to protect others. Because in so doing, we protect ourselves and those we love as well.
“We are all in this together...”
Michelle
Michelle Knobloch
Chief Executive Officer
