Is Dr. Fauci today's Hamilton?

Many of us recently had the opportunity to watch the film version of Hamilton on Disney Plus with the original cast this past month. If you haven't seen it yet it will go down as one of the best musicals ever created and in my opinion a MUST SEE.   One of my favorite songs from the show was "My Shot". During this song Hamilton states that he is not going to give away his opportunity to be heard and an integral part of the "Revolution" in the founding of our nation.  

Perhaps I am going out on a limb to say that Dr. Fauci is today's Hamilton but I like to think outside the box.  Although there are many attempts to silence his knowledge on the current Covid19 pandemic he is finding other ways to give "his shot" of expertise to all who will listen to fight the pandemic we are all facing.  He is hoping to be heard particularly amongst millennials now that it is impacting this age group more than previously thought. Although his advice is being downplayed and he was not invited to this week's White House briefing (which appear to be less than transparent about the true impact of the pandemic) he is speaking out where he can over social media.  

Today's New York Times opinion section shares an eye opening interview with Dr. Fauci.  He has  important information to share to responsibly advise on the current pandemic.  Perhaps in the future there will be a play about him as the true hero of the  "Revolution" we need to battle today.  

As we document the history of Covid-19 let's all click on his name below 

 and say   "Dr. Anthony Fauci."

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys coffee, walking her dog, theater/arts, reading, writing, travel and meeting new people.  She always welcomes the opportunity to have a virtual coffee now that we are amidst the “new normal”.  Check out her website at www.wendybcb.com or her fb page @wendybcb as she posts up to date content to meet the ever changing marketplace.

WendyBCB Weekend Explorer

Since the start of Covid-19 we have all had to adapt to new lifestyles.  For many of us this has been a challenging time.  Under stay at home orders we have had to adjust to new socially distanced behaviors for how we live, work and conduct our daily lives.  As we are all too aware, this has closed many activities that we normally take for granted such as safely grabbing a cup of coffee, running to the store or even going to a doctor's appointment.  

While this time has constrained much of normal life for those of us who are fortunate to stay healthy and fed this time has also created new opportunities for personal growth.  For me this has been an time to focus and better reflect on my priorities.  I have a very curious mind and love to travel.  Since my travel ventures have been curtailed I have been exploring ways to feed this curiosity through other means such as  reading, webinars and meeting new people.  

I have changed my normal patterns of meeting colleagues and networking at Starbucks to many a Zoom or Google Meet Up.  In addition, I have used this a time to reprioritize and retool my business skills.  Since the start of the pandemic I have begun to attend daily webinars, online exercise programs and start a healthier cooking routine.  I have even learned to make and grow sourdough starter and breads.

As I have been focusing on learning new ways to conduct my real estate business I have taken numerous classes on social media marketing and am learning to create video media as a new form of outreach.  I am having fun with this and am excited to share my new video series called Weekend Explorer.  In this series I will post weekly short videos of new places I have explored.  These will be posted on YouTube and on my Facebook Page.  I hope you have fun watching these and learn something new. I can always be reached for comment.  

Wendy is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Needham.  If you are interested in exploring the local real estate market she is happy to help you get started.  

ReCLUTTERing our Decluttering by Panic Shopping

I have written several posts about decluttering and downsizing and through most of my posts have tried to un-cover methods to get rid of things we don't need.  As the outbreak of COVID-19 is threatening pandemic proportions I am seeing the antithesis of this behavior and now have a greater appreciation for the hoarding mentality.  See BBC article on the psychology of panic buying here.  (It is my understanding that if exposed to COVID it is recommended to self quarantine for 14 days.)

There is something innate to our behavior that can make us become hoarders.  Can't we agree it is comforting to surround ourselves with a stocked pantry of favorite foods?  Our inner survival instincts drive us to buy in excess in fear of potential shortages.

Lines at the supermarkets and big chain warehouses have been out the doors.  There are shortages of hand sanitizer and cleaning products as people buy whatever is remaining.  This is creating a huge shopping frenzy as noted in Fortune Magazine here.  I am guilty of this too and have thus stocked up on non-perishables that could exceed a good 30 days.  I bought extra vanilla extract and chocolate chips yesterday in case I need to bake emergency toll house cookies.  I am also well supplied on paper goods but do we really need a that much toilet paper? (see Forbe's Magazine  )  Although comforted and well positioned I have recluttered my cabinets with things I don't necessarily need.  One does have to ask.......did the risk of buying three months worth of toilet paper at Costco outweigh the chance of exposure to a COVID carrier?  I guess I won't know this until 14 days pass and I still remain healthy.  (See added link re : Toilet paper stockpiling)

Consumers are irrationally stocking up on things they probably don't really need in fear of it not being available.  Once COVID passes will we realize we overbought and need to start the declutter process again?  At a recent meeting last week with a social worker, she suggested we all slow down a bit and take a deep breath.  She recommended I buy an app called Buddify and when I feel a major impulse or impending stress to take a walk or do a 5 minute guided meditation.  Perhaps we all need to do this and stay calm.  Perhaps we get a quick adrenaline rush of comfort by overbuying things we may already have adequate supply of.  

Like other viruses and health issues COVID will too come and go.  Most of us will be fine if we take the recommended health precautions.  Let's all calm down a bit and think rationally when out shopping.  Take inventory of what you really do need in at home in case you are quarantined.  But don't overdo it.  I came home from my Costco run only to realize I already had 3 boxes of Post Raisin Bran after buying a new box while there.

As one who has shared posts about declutting perhaps we need to remember that today's impulse buying may be tomorrows clutter.  There are shortages of things for no reason.  There are others who may really need some help with their food supplies.  If you realize you have excess that is not needed please remember its always welcome to donate to a local food pantry and to help those in need.  
                               

Wendy is a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Needham.  She enjoys writing, talking and helping people by sharing her unique insights into the local area around her.