The Second Best Time To Plant A Tree…

You know that old saying, “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”? Well, the same can be said for preventing/containing the coronavirus. Hindsight is still undefeated and we should have moved sooner to combat the spread of the virus, but just like planting a tree, we can’t go back in time to change our response, we can only address how we handle it in the future.

Unfortunately, a large percentage of the public still does not believe that this is real–even after the NCAA canceled March Madness, every major sporting league has shutdown their teams, conferences have been canceled, schools have been closed, and travel restrictions and curfews are being enforced. Think about that…these organizations are voluntarily giving up hundreds of millions of dollars–some of the most greedy organizations (NCAA, NBA, MLB, etc.) are willing to lose money to prevent the spread of the virus.

This ain’t no joke.

I have a friend who lives in Washington very close to the epicenter of the outbreak in his city–he has confirmed the virus is in fact very real.

There is an advisor in the AGC™ who has family in northern Italy–she has confirmed the virus is in fact very real.

This ain’t no joke.

Maybe stories don’t do it for you–they’re just hearsay. Maybe you need to the data–you’re visual and need to see numbers and charts…I’ve got you!

Coronavirus: Why You Must Act Now by Tomas Pueyo

A friend and client of mine sent this article to me this morning. He’s an executive at a hospital and understands firsthand what our healthcare system will be up against if we all don’t do our part to slow the spread of coronavirus. This article is full of data, numbers, and comparisons you might want to see. Hopefully, you’ll understand how the decisions you make can impact those around you, including your family and friends.

Our oldest Roman develops illness-induced asthma whenever he gets sick; I’m not sure if this puts him in the “at-risk” camp or not, but I’m going to do everything in my power to not find out.  I’ve closed the RLS Wealth Management office and have moved all client meetings to Zoom or the phone. My wife has closed the doors to her boutique and will operate as an online-only store for the foreseeable future. I’m willing to spend the majority of the day in the house working and spending time with my family; it’s a short term sacrifice and ultimately I believe I will become a better advisor, husband, and father because of it.

Disbelief

When coronavirus first hit the news I dismissed it. I thought it was the media blowing things out of proportion. But as it continued to spread and I began to learn more about it, I realized that it was a serious threat. I’m one of the most optimistic people you will ever meet, but I also know that optimism alone can’t conquer a virus that doesn’t care about my outlook on life.

Sure, there’s a chance that we’re all overreacting and we look back on this in disbelief that a virus literally shut down the most powerful country and economy in the world. But, if we’re not overreacting, we’ll be glad we’ve taken the steps we have–we’ll wish we would have done them sooner.

So, take 20 minutes or so and check this article out. Pay attention to the measures taken by the different countries and the impact on the spread of coronavirus. Pay attention to actual cases of coronavirus. Pay attention to what has already occurred within our country.

Remember, I’m optimistic. I’m certain we will win this battle against coronavirus–it’s not a matter of if we win, but when and with how much pain. I’d prefer to see our victory come sooner rather than later and with a minimal amount of pain–the numbers show us what we need to do.

This ain’t no joke.

Coronavirus: Why You Must Act Now

Disclaimer: Nothing on this blog should be considered advice, or recommendations. If you have questions pertaining to your individual situation you should consult your financial advisor. For all of the disclaimers, please see my disclaimers page.