Hope Notes: Numbers Game
We’re going to see some tough stats this month.
Companies will report earnings for the first quarter. Monthly economic data will break records. The more testing we’re able to do for the outbreak, the higher the case totals will go. Markets will wobble around as we receive all of these updates.
To a great extent, these numbers tell us things we already know. We are in the very center of the crisis just now. Yet seeing all of those data points can be dizzying.
In 2008, during the financial crisis, I decided at some point that it wasn’t helping me to know the value of the Dow Jones or NASDAQ stock indices. Those numbers get reported every day in the news, and we take them as a kind of barometer for how the markets are doing. But the markets were not great. I already knew that!
So I started to make a game of not knowing the numbers.
If I was listening to the news in the car, and they turned to the stock market report, I’d switch off the radio. If I was in the newsstand at the train station, I’d look at GQ or Runners World instead of the daily papers.
We’re not ignoring reality. We’re just choosing not to overdose on it.
Road to Recovery
As of yesterday, there are at least 193,177 people worldwide who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have fully recovered. This is an increase of 47,471 since our last edition. An unknown number more have encountered the virus on their own and made a full recovery. We hope for strength in those who are actively suffering right now, and in the healthcare workers giving vital care. We hope as well for peace in the lives of everyone who has lost a loved one or friend in the midst of this crisis. And we hope for patience in everyone who is staying home right now, under difficult circumstances, to help relieve the strain of this outbreak on society.
Good Moves
How people are practicing generosity, ingenuity, and love around us right now.
The Physician Support Line started up this week so that American doctors can connect with volunteer psychiatrists for mental health support during the crisis. It’s a Philly-based effort, which makes it even awesomer. The image below clicks through to a Facebook post with additional details from the co-founder, Dr. Mona Masood.
Meanwhile, the hockey-industrial complex in Canada has turned its full attention toward hip-checking this hoser virus into the boards.
Any of you who grew up on Reading Rainbow will be delighted to see the great LeVar Burton emerging from his Star Trek-funded space castle to read with us once again. (Note: He does say below the first tweet that Friday is actually the 3rd, not the 4th.)
Renewable Resources
Places where you can tap into additional sources of hope.
SO MANY OF YOU wanted me to know about John Krasinski’s new program, Some Good News. I get it: John and I are leading parallel lives. Similar beard game, not far off in age, successful film careers, both a sharp fit in a tailored suit. I’m sure he gets tired of hearing the comparisons.
Goodable is a Twitter feed aggregating all the uplifting moments that folks are posting online. If the publishing schedule on Hope Notes is too slow for you, Goodable can absolutely fill in the gaps in between.
Andy Slavitt is a DC insider and healthcare expert. Monday through Saturday, he does detailed updates on the federal response to the outbreak. On Sundays, he’s doing a rollup of all the great work he sees people doing to get each other through this crisis. Click through for the whole thread - it’s pretty great.
And Finally…
At this point in our spring adventure, you might be casting about for a new song to blast in the house or the backyard. Something about staying connected with each other through difficult times. If you haven’t already heard “Light On” by Maggie Rogers, this is your lucky day. This acoustic cover is about 5 minutes, but give it about a minute to see a nifty reveal.
We will dance together once again in groovy Parisian houses, friends. I promise.
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Take care.
- Michael
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