An Unprecedented & Rapidly Evolving Situation

Photo Credit:Content Providers(s): CDC/Dr. Fred Murphy / Public domain

What scientists say about the risks to society posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) is sobering to say the least. If the worst fears are realized, it may infect a large percentage of the population, with many deaths caused. Early evidence suggests COVID-19 is much more contagious than the seasonal flu. Because it is novel (meaning it hasn’t previously been seen before in humans), we lack a developed immunity to it and researchers have yet to devise a vaccine. So, while most people may only develop mild symptoms, the disease may be deadly to many others, especially the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. 

I’m now considered part of the population at greater risk: I’m over 60, so as someone “older,” I have a higher probability of developing severe symptoms if I contract the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, I suffered a bout with pneumonia a few years back, which did some damage to my lungs. Another acute respiratory illness would be worrying, to say the least. Consequently, I’m taking heed of all recommended precautions, including frequent handwashing, social distancing, and doing my best to avoid touching my eyes, nose, and mouth (which is really hard to do). 

What about work? My office—Robertson/Sherwood/Architects—put a set of protocols in place last week to help us manage this unprecedented and rapidly evolving situation. These protocols include practicing rigorous sanitation, eliminating meetings in-person as much as is practical, and working remotely (via VPN access). If anyone feels symptoms of any illness—even a mild and seemingly innocuous cold—we will insist they stay home. We don’t want to let any bug run through the office for fear of wearing down each other’s immune systems. 

Fortunately, our clients are also doing their part to minimize the potential for spreading the contagion. Most of the larger meetings, such as a series of public presentations for the Lane County Justice Center project I had on my schedule, are cancelled or on hold. We’re rethinking the necessity of smaller meetings. We’ll opt for online conferencing whenever possible. 

On other fronts, the American Institute of Architects has postponed its annual Conference on Architecture, which was slated to take place in Los Angeles this May, and the CSI Willamette Valley Chapter has likewise rescheduled the 2020 Northwest + West Bi-Region Conference from next month until this October. 

The bottom line is my office won’t stop working. We believe it’s our duty to provide our services to the community, and by extension our patronage. Our commitment to our consultants, clients, and projects will not falter. We’re not going to throw our hands up and abandon things thinking it’s all too difficult—that’s not who we are. We know we can work through this. We will adjust our schedules and procedures as required to best work around the challenges posed by the COVID-19 virus. 

The pandemic scares everyone. People are panic buying, searching vainly for hand sanitizers, food staples, and toilet paper. News outlets breathlessly report draconian lockdowns, travel bans, shortages of medical supplies, and the exponential growth in numbers of those infected by the virus. A sense of existential dread is palpable. And yet this startling and sudden upheaval of our lives—this disruption of normalcy—will pass, perhaps soon. When it does, there may be a silver lining: a shared appreciation for the frailty of humans, and with it an enhanced awareness of the immeasurable complexity and interconnectedness of all life.