What’s it called, an ‘X’ in the equation? Make that plural – make it many ‘Xs’ – when you’re planning almost anything in a pandemic.
I’ve been hearing about ‘Xs’ in equations from people elected to serve on homeowner association boards. They’re like small governments, homeowner associations — HOAs — are. People elected to serve on HOA boards are, in a way, like elected officials in municipal and state governments, and the federal government… and maybe like people in your Town Council government.
The pandemic makes just about everything more complex. Just determining if recreational facilities at HOAs, that were closed as COVID-19 illnesses began surging in March, can be reopened, during these summer months, is complex. Even when state or county governments announce their decisions and guidelines, at an HOA’s micro, local level, people on HOA boards still have to wrestle with – and work out – what they’re going to do. Do they continue, with an abundance of caution, keeping recreational facilities, like swimming pools and tennis courts, closed? Or do they go ahead and reopen such facilities? Talk about Xs and unknown factors!
There are many moving parts, even in things so seemingly simple. Who knows, in a pandemic, what some new normal might be? Tough decisions, for sure, from what I’m hearing.
Now, take everything up many notches, at state and city government levels, where Xs and unknowns are hundreds — or thousands — of times more complex, and you wonder how things get done… effectively.
We know that at the federal government level, the Trump Administration’s overall management of the pandemic has been, shall we say, problematic? As COVID-19 illnesses and deaths are surging in various states and cities, we know that overall pandemic management at state and city government levels, apparently, has been problematic, as well.
And with an increasing number of visitors heading out your way, to Pagosa Springs, there’s no shortage of Xs in your equation. Along with all those other ongoing, challenging and — at times — problematic things going on. Many Xs! Many unknowns!
What’s that expression? There’s never a dull moment?
Harvey Radin is former senior vice president in charge of corporate communications and media relations, Bank of America Western Region. He makes his home in Redwood City, CA.