Trust

None of us is in a position to “know” all of the things we might want or need to know in order to make decisions about our professional practice and personal lives in the unprecedented situation of a pandemic. We all need therefore, to trust in others.

Trust in authority

This is a really bad time to be a completely skeptical conspiracy theorist.  (Though I accept the conspiracy theorist would argue this is the absolute best time…)  We need to accept that our political leaders are making, in good faith, what they take to be the best decisions under the circumstances – on the best available evidence and seeking the best possible community outcomes.   I personally, feel that trust is warranted when I see our politicians surrounded by the scientific experts, and where politics is quiet in order to better hear the best evidence we have available.

Trust in organizational leadership

The same is true for the leadership of the organizations in which we work.  As members of health care organizations we should be confident that the leaders of those organizations understand their obligations to the communities they serve and to their employees.  Again, that trust is earned by frank and frequent communication and clear explanations of what is being done and why.

Trust in colleagues

We really are all in this together.  Trust in my colleagues is grounded in the knowledge that as I do my part you will do yours.

Trust in our communities

We all need to take reasonable personal precautions and prudently prepare – but don’t strip the shelves of toilet paper…