Crisis Management in a time of Coronavirus
In 2011, Brisbane flooded. It was the first major natural disaster I had experienced first hand. After being sent home from work in the middle of the day, I thought I'd better go to the supermarket and get some supplies. I had no idea what I should get. When I got to the supermarket, it was pandemonium. The woman at the checkout said to me she had never seen anything like it, not even on Christmas Eve. People were losing their minds(there were stories of fights breaking out in the posh western suburbs, and I heard later that supermarkets were selling out of sacks of flour). I wasn't losing my mind but I had only a vague idea that I should be getting non-perishables but didn't fancy surviving on baked beans. I may have bought some extra long life soy milk. I do remember buying some frozen quiche (which isn't non-perishable).
I'm not sure if I'm good in a crisis. I mean, we like to think we'll be good in a crisis - calm, level-headed and able to come up with the winning strategy to lead people through the worst. But really, I have no idea. It is the other side of the people who are panic buying.
In between these extremes, there are people out there who have bought all the right survival foods and in just the right quantities (they would have left plenty on the supermarket shelves) and have sensibly stocked pantries and fridges. They will be able to say to their friends and family "don't worry, I have some condiments to spare. Or they will be cooking soups and making sandwiches for the whole neighbourhood. People like me, who are still buying groceries as the need arises or those who have toilet paper and nothing else.
With this current panic buying phenomenon, in the time of Coronavirus, I have been level-headed but this means I've been late to the party and now when I need stuff, the shelves are empty and have signs explaining why and setting out purchasing restrictions. Among my purchases for surviving a lockdown have been: One jar of peaches. A new pack of Yorkshire teabags (I always feel more secure when I have a new pack of teabags) and yesterday, when I decided I should maybe get on board with the stocking up, I came away with, once again, some frozen quiches. I also nabbed the last bag of frozen broad beans and I have a tin of Heinz tomato soup. I should be fine. I don't know why I think natural disaster - frozen quiches. I don't eat them that much normally. Anyway, if the pandemic gets really bad, and you end up at my place, I can guarantee you a cup of tea. I will have eaten all the quiche and peaces by then.
On the subject of not being good in a crisis, I'm reminded of a dream I had a few days after September 11, the last time the world took on an end of days vibe. In this dream, I was walking the street of a nearby suburb which was looking all post-apocalyptic, wondering what was to become of everyone and everything. Then who should I happen upon in this Brisbane suburb but Keith Richards. I don't know why he was there but my sub-conscious was obviously in survival mode because I remember thinking upon seeing him "just stick with Keith, because he can survive anything".
But anyway, why does everyone buy all the flour? Do they really think they'll be baking bread? Making pasta? But they bought all the pasta!
I'm not sure if I'm good in a crisis. I mean, we like to think we'll be good in a crisis - calm, level-headed and able to come up with the winning strategy to lead people through the worst. But really, I have no idea. It is the other side of the people who are panic buying.
In between these extremes, there are people out there who have bought all the right survival foods and in just the right quantities (they would have left plenty on the supermarket shelves) and have sensibly stocked pantries and fridges. They will be able to say to their friends and family "don't worry, I have some condiments to spare. Or they will be cooking soups and making sandwiches for the whole neighbourhood. People like me, who are still buying groceries as the need arises or those who have toilet paper and nothing else.
With this current panic buying phenomenon, in the time of Coronavirus, I have been level-headed but this means I've been late to the party and now when I need stuff, the shelves are empty and have signs explaining why and setting out purchasing restrictions. Among my purchases for surviving a lockdown have been: One jar of peaches. A new pack of Yorkshire teabags (I always feel more secure when I have a new pack of teabags) and yesterday, when I decided I should maybe get on board with the stocking up, I came away with, once again, some frozen quiches. I also nabbed the last bag of frozen broad beans and I have a tin of Heinz tomato soup. I should be fine. I don't know why I think natural disaster - frozen quiches. I don't eat them that much normally. Anyway, if the pandemic gets really bad, and you end up at my place, I can guarantee you a cup of tea. I will have eaten all the quiche and peaces by then.On the subject of not being good in a crisis, I'm reminded of a dream I had a few days after September 11, the last time the world took on an end of days vibe. In this dream, I was walking the street of a nearby suburb which was looking all post-apocalyptic, wondering what was to become of everyone and everything. Then who should I happen upon in this Brisbane suburb but Keith Richards. I don't know why he was there but my sub-conscious was obviously in survival mode because I remember thinking upon seeing him "just stick with Keith, because he can survive anything".
But anyway, why does everyone buy all the flour? Do they really think they'll be baking bread? Making pasta? But they bought all the pasta!
Comments
Post a Comment