British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, never let a good crisis go to waste. It’s a sentiment one can only hope we apply to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. After being in lockdown for more than three months, the world is slowly returning to some semblance of normalcy. But one wonders if we can ever truly return to normal. Based on the events of the past three months, it’s a fair assumption that normal will no longer exist — and, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Every crisis we live through comes with an inherent set of lessons. We have the power to apply that learning to our lives and grow from it; or choose to ignore it at our peril. Never have the lessons been as important, as relevant and hopefully as long-lasting. This unprecedented pause has given us time to reflect and to question whether our accepted reality was indeed purposeful.
The extreme measures we were mandated to follow in recent months were meant to protect us, but the repercussions -were unimaginable and long-lasting.
Businesses across many industries and around the world have been decimated. Closer to home, restaurants were one of the hardest-hit sectors. As some restaurants pivoted to takeout and delivery in order to eke out some kind of existence, others were forced to shutter their business. In this ‘Twilight Zone’ of an existence, many came to realize just how important a part of the social tapestry restaurants are.
One of the harshest lessons learned for some operators was the lack of support from landlords and third-party-delivery companies, who even through this difficult time were steadfast in their conviction to not waive rents and/or protect operators from evictions, as well as to not reduce delivery fees during this crisis.
While the world was waging a valiant war against an invisible enemy, another war raged on, burning more intensely every day — the war against racism, exemplified by demonstrations around the world protesting the death of American George Floyd, a victim of police brutality. The fire it’s ignited is burning brightly and, amid the despair, there’s also a new feeling of hope emerging that his death will fuel positive change.
While no one expected 2020 to be eventful, we’re living through a watershed moment in history. A step in the right direction and we’ll be on the path to true progress; one misstep and we plunge into chaos that will set us back forever.
