04/04/2023
Sometimes It’s Right to Do Right:
(1) On Saturday I transported an international traveler from MCO home to The Villages.
(2) Later that evening she informed me that she had just tested positive for COVID-19.
(3) I immediately got tested and the results were positive. The silver lining, if there is one, is that I have no discernible symptoms.
(4) Adhering to company protocols (CDC Guidelines 2020) I notified all drivers particularly those that I had recently had direct contact with.
(5) In short, I/we made the immediate decision to essentially “suspend operations” for those drivers that had recent direct contact with me until 3 days of negative tests are achieved.
(6) Consequently, this decision required that we cancel nearly 3/4 of our transports through ”Good Friday,” a financially painful decision.
(7) As I was calling clients to advise them of the situation, most were understanding and appreciative of the forthright disclosure. A few were simply “disgusted” at not receiving their expected transport. And one even suggested that I was a “fool” for even making it an issue, that “nobody cares!”
(8) Admittedly, as the financial stress began to mount, I seriously considered just “scrapping” our company protocols and sending everybody out … COVID-19 be dammed!
(9) Then … when making my final cancellation call of the day, the client started weeping uncontrollably; I thought ”WOW” I’ve really messed up this time … until she said this: “I have been diagnosed with Leukemia and finished my first round of treatment. My immune system is compromised. But I just wanted to go home - maybe for the last time. My doctor said ’no’ and my husband said ’no,’ but I was going anyway … I take this as a sign that maybe I should stay home and fight for life as much as I can. Thank you.”
(10) Sometimes its just right to do right! Prayerfully, this too shall pass …
Blessings,
Thomas & RJ
Personal and Business Concierge Services for People In and Around The Villages, FL.