Sorry that the June newsletter is not being published until July. However, this is a sign that business has finally become brisk at AQS. June was a very good month and almost made up for the poorest April and May that I can remember. I just didn’t have the time to write and compose like I did in the off season.
I was planning to write about communication this month anyway, but now I am wanting to also discuss the virus situation and the subject of shortages of goods that we are starting to experience. Since all of this is tied together I will dispense with the “bullet point” format this month and just submit a few paragraphs on VIRUS COMMUNICATION SHORTAGES Yes, a shortage of good communication exists !
With the advent of all the wireless and enhanced options for making communications easier and more accurate, one would think that our news media would be able to get things right more often than a few years ago. And they do sometimes actually turn in good results regularly. Our weather forecasts are the first example that comes to mind. I must say that the media is getting pretty good at conveying what we need to know regarding forecasts, warnings, alerts, and statistics. And because they do so good, we tend to forgive them when they are wrong occasionally. Sports news is pretty good too. Local radio and TV stations and print media even seem to be fairly good at covering the day to day reporting of local happenings. But the national media, in this writer’s opinion, is letting us down almost every day by allowing politics to influence every corner of their coverage. News has become a show, and since all the news shows are also supposed to be entertainment, they are spiced up and hurried up in order to compete with one another. This results in inaccuracies, un truths, and yes, “fake news”. I don’t trust any of what the national news outlets are putting out any more.
The virus has greatly compounded the problem because even “the experts” that our news shows quote regularly seem to be very inconsistent and not in agreement about much of anything pertaining to the so-called pandemic. I believe that sources and facts are not being checked or questioned. Good communication should include that service. Otherwise, we are just spreading lies. Everyone wants to seem smart and have all the answers. And in their rush to compete for the shock value of the scoop, the media does not care much about the truth any more. This is only one of many huge side effects of the virus scare that is doing immense damage to our society.
Another side effect is one that I am afraid we are just beginning to feel the effect of. Shortages of all kinds of products are just beginning to become evident because of the lag in time between production slowdowns or stoppages and consumer demand peaks. Some food items and things like toilet paper have already been in short supply, possibly due to another side effect; hoarding. Finally, as I addressed in last month’s newsletter we are too dependent on imported products which we cannot control production on. There are just too many things that can screw up the pipeline between producer and consumer. A good example in my industry is a very popular sprinkler head, mostly made in Mexico which is not available any more due to some of the above side effects of the virus.
How can we, as individuals, affect the many negative effects of the virus? I believe that two big subjects best cover the answers to this question. Eliminate your fear, and work hard at honest communication.
I wish I could tell people how not to fear what many perceive as a terrible plague that is going to kill millions and can not be stopped. I can’t. But my strong suggestion is to boycott the national news on this subject because they just want to foment more fear and they truly do not know what they are talking about most of the time. Live your life as if there was no virus, because it is truly a relative minor matter that has been blown totally out of proportion. Do what you would normally do. Resist the bureaucrats that are trying to run your life because of the virus scare. Draw your line in the sand and stick to it. That is a very valid form of communication. For me, it is “the mask”. I do not intend to allow my paid government servants to control me that way. How could anyone expect me to hide this beautiful face? I am an American and we still have a constitution and I claim my right to not wear a mask. I already feel better, just having written down my position on the matter.
If you also want to take a public stand on this issue, submit your paragraph to this website and we will probably publish it next month.
As for working hard at honest communication, these key strikes are a part of my personal attempt to say something meaningful. For you, it might be visiting with friends or family. It might be a newspaper op -ed. It could also be as a public speaker at a forum that you may already be a member of, IF YOUR FORUMS HAVEN’T ALL BEEN SHUT DOWN. What ever you do , try hard to check your facts, be honest, and keep it friendly. Those who disagree have a right to their opinion, too. And mostly, have courage and perseverance. Stay positive and live your life the way God intended you to. Do not give in to the gloom and doom bunch. Influence them instead of allowing them to influence you.
Keep the faith !!