RESPONDS TO COMMUNITY NEEDS

COVID-19: AN ATHLETE’S PERSPECTIVE

Yesterday Houston Methodist Hospital conducted a conference call that I found to be the most helpful information and perspective on Covid-19. I encourage you to follow the link below to hear a concise, comprehensive and clear-headed presentation on this unprecedented emergency that we are facing globally.  

Every parent and community leader is under enormous pressure to respond appropriately to the threat of this virus, while trying to navigate the practical and economic realities facing us.

As a former athlete I was aware of four attitudes detrimental to winning. Let me say a word about each, and how I see a correlation with how we should confront this “opponent.”

Lack of Information:  It is difficult to prepare for competition when you don’t have a good scouting report. Covid-19 is new to everyone and it plays by a whole different set of rules. Perhaps we feel like the British did during our War of Independence when they marched in traditional formation and our forces fought by non-traditional rules. This recording more than anything else has made it clear to me that if we fight this virus with old strategies we will be taken down. It’s a whole new ballgame and we have not seen such a formidable opponent in a long time.

Overconfidence:  When players and coaches underestimate their opponent they inevitably lack the intensity and urgency it takes to win. In my conversations about this virus I have found many who have an over-confident view. We have all heard “it’s not as bad as they say,” “it’s hype,” “can’t trust the motives of politicians,” etc. This presentation by Methodist Hospital offers a sober and common sense approach that will help congregations, businesses, schools and families make decisions that will mitigate the disaster.

Panic: The third posture detrimental to winning is playing afraid. For players to make good decisions and execute well on the field they must play confidently and relaxed. That means they play with urgency but not in panic. If we buy into the game plan our leaders create, then we will be able to do what it takes to overcome this nemesis.

Selfishness: No single player can win alone. A team is only as strong as our weakest link, is what I was always told. When we all buy into the game plan and do our part then we will overcome. It will be a costly win, but that is better than a devastating defeat. Let’s always put the wellbeing of people first, no matter what the cost. The only thing we cannot replace is life.

Finally, it is difficult to gauge the effectiveness of preventive maintenance. Months from now when the worst is over, we will feel the pain of the price we paid, but we will never know what horror we averted.

We at Hope Disaster Recovery are exploring practical ways to minimize the hardships this fight will create. We are collaborating with other agencies and with congregations to help vulnerable families care for their own, and to provide essential needs to the under-resourced and underserved in our communities.  

Be Safe!

Godfrey Hubert, Executive Director