Leading Ourselves in a Crisis

Weeks ago I was on the phone with a friend who has family in Germany. A relative of hers had come home after being in Northern Italy and she was experiencing symptoms of the Coronavirus.

She made a phone call to inquire what to do and was told to stay home, that they would come to her. When they arrived at her door, they called. No touching of door knob or door bell. She was instructed to open the door and right there they gave her a swab test, secured it, and told her to close the door. Then they called her again from outside her door and told her they’d notify her with the results by the next day. They also shed their hazmat suits right outside her home and explained to her how to dispose of them.

If you’re American, that whole scenario feels like it’s straight from an alternate universe where health care is organized and treated as a right. It’s almost as if health and the greater good transcend all else.

Imagine that.

This is my context for everything that has happened in the United States in the last month or so. Every time I see the patchwork, haphazard press briefings, the petty presidential Tweets ripping governors who are exhibiting real leadership, and the many, many stories and posts from healthcare workers pleading with us to stay home and get them some equipment, I think about that story from Germany.