I’ve spent a significant portion of my life on the water. The rhythms and routines aboard a boat are critical to its existence. The current pandemic has jolted the world as we know it into unknown territory. It is the equivalent of a sailing vessel being becalmed for an undetermined period of time. Onboard a becalmed vessel the time is made use of. This time is of great value because all the assets aboard the boat are no longer solely directed toward maintaining maximum speed toward its destination. The planning scope is expanded beyond the immediate future.
We as a society have a rare opportunity to make use of this time productively. The status quo should not be considered our ultimate goal as the pandemic lessens its grip. Pervasive systemic biases such as gender and income inequity must be addressed and now would be the opportune time to do it. Climate change must be brought to the forefront as our national economies are rebuilt. Economic growth cannot be the linchpin of our strategy anymore. Public policy can no longer be dictated by the commodity market. Governments must resume their primary role as representatives of the people who elected them.
As has become evident during this pandemic crisis, people are capable of collectively accepting responsibility for wellbeing of each other. My hope is that this can be the catalyst for positive change.
Boyd Allen,
Pownal
