“Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space, invite one to stay.”
– Maya Angelou
Everyone knows that life is always uncertain, and with the current uncertainty caused by a global crisis, it’s easy to let the fear slip inside. I am working hard to make sure there’s no room for fear inside me, by staying focused on hope alone.
CI Gov Press briefing: 3 new cases. Total 140 cases. 1 with symptoms, 71 without symptoms, and 67 recovered. Cayman is now ranked 6th in the world for number of tests per population. The Premier indicates we will have a reduced suppression Level 2 to look forward to by next Monday.
In the briefing, the CI Minister of Finance, Hon Roy McTaggart, discusses his forecast for Cayman. Cayman’s GDP is projected to contract by 12.2%, with unemployment rate of 12.3%, with borders closed until the end of the year. Government could be faced with a deficit of up to $250 million by the end of this year. As the Minister of Finance shares his comprehensive collection of hi-brow facts and figures, he hits the point home by adopting the relatable term very scary number.
He does, however, bring his message to conclusion with hope; “The resilience of these islands is astonishing. Take Hurricane Ivan in 2004: a testament of our resolve, that we can replicate in 2020… Our actions so far have left us in a strong position to bounce back. We have been navigating the single biggest health disaster of our lifetimes. Moody’s credit report published April 13th maintained Cayman’s credit as AA3. ….they note our prudence… and it is good to know even the world’s largest debt rating agency has confidence in our little islands and our Government.”
After all this focus on finance, and the government’s official recognition of the collapse of the tourism industry, I can’t help feeling overwhelmed. When one is contemplating how to reopen a business, in an industry that is officially closed, what hope does one have?
Our restaurants have always highly valued the 20% of our guests who are locals. But sadly for us, the Pareto Principle does not apply here; this 20% did not supply 80% of the sales. In islands like ours, the locals offer up their homes, their hearts, their secret spots, and the tourists come to spread the wealth that the locals can enjoy. That’s the deal. And that’s why the tourism industry is so important in small communities like ours. Our local guests perhaps don’t even know this, and they won’t like the new deal when the small businesses start to reopen, and struggle to offer any semblance of ’normal’ that was available Before Covid.
But I am hopeful we will find a way. As a business owner and as an islander. We will change with the times. I hope the locals find a way to understand. I hope the suppliers find a way to be flexible. I hope employees find a way to be accepting. Change isn’t always an easy dish to serve up. I’ve seen people walk out when change is on the menu. Nothing will return to ‘normal’. But it may reopen better, stronger, kinder and more creative than before.
We all know the saying change is the only constant in life. So, I’m embracing uncertainly for its creative potential, it’s ability to make life new every day, and grasp at the wisdom hidden behind seeming chaos. I’m cramming as much hope as possible into this space, and inviting it to stay. Because I don’t want the alternative to find a way in.
