Something must have changed when the election was called earlier in November. Despite the peaking of the virus and continued threats to our political system, announcements of successful vaccine trials and a change in leadership seem to have given people a sense of optimism that was mostly missing throughout the year. This month I have seen:
Joy in the streets. The day projections solidified around Biden, there was dancing in the streets. Every major urban center, the heart of year-long protests, had people literally throwing open their windows and screaming. For joy? For relief? For hope? Yes.
Budgets have opened up. Perhaps because there’s a greater sense of where-to from here, I’ve seen my personal deal flow move from non-existent to non-stop. This is not a humble-brag, but instead a recognition that at least in the areas I work in there is some optimism as people prepare for 2021 and beyond.
Funding has kept pace, too. Beyond my personal deal flow, I’m seeing lots of startups getting new funding, and reading predictions that consumers who’ve been able to increase their savings this year will put a good portion of that toward holiday gifts and (hopefully) charity for those who’ve not been so fortunate.
Willingness to delay gratification a few more months. I can’t speak for most of the country, but at least in the urban bastions where my friends and family live there is now a sense that another lockdown is worth it. Delayed dinner plans, avoiding travel and dining-in at restaurants, and buying puzzles and extra toilet paper are all signs of a winter hunker-down. No one is happy about it, but if enough people can grin and bear it, I’m optimistic that we’ll get through it.
Be Concerned.
While there are reasons to be optimistic, there is still a lot to be concerned about over the coming months. To name a few:
A depression in much of the service sector. White collar tech, finance, home construction and sales, and other sectors are not just having a good year, they are having a great year. Homes are selling above asking, car sales are rebounding. But hospitality workers are disproportionately suffering, and many of them had little wiggle room to begin with. This will have a lasting impact on those who are already getting paid a subsistence wage.
BIPOC challenges that still rage. Don’t assume the moment for the movement has passed. I was on a call this week with one of the adidas employees who is leading the charge for greater diversity in the workplace. On the call we talked about how the business case for having the room be made up of a diverse group of people is not the only challenge -- companies have to welcome those people and their views into the room. The next time, if you are not the corporate standard bearer, holds back on a comment because you are a woman, gay, latinx or so other “other” catch yourself and speak up anyway.
An ongoing lack of trust in leadership and media. Much of Europe quickly ramped up to tamp down infections, locked down completely (except schools) and quickly reversed the trend on infections. Why? They may not love their governments, but they are more willing to follow the guidance and the results have come through quickly. Here in the US we have mistrust (which will just shift in January from one set of issues to another) and a spirited lack of concern for the people around us.
Be Content.
Don’t worry, most of your families will love you more for not visiting over the holidays. Don’t travel. Repeat, don’t travel. Stay home, set up a big screen in your kitchen or dining room, and fire up the cooking and conversation over the internet. If enough of us do this now, we will likely be able to reschedule a reunion for next summer.
And to keep the political wars at bay, have fun with topics like these:
First place you’ll visit. I want to get to the East Coast to see friends, then sit in a cafe in Paris, followed by a trip from Barcelona to the Italian Riviera.
First person to hug. I can’t narrow it down to one, but there is a room full of friends riding this out in Provincetown that would be my first crew. But if you subscribe to this newsletter, you’re also on my short list!
First restaurant to eat in. The food I miss the most has to be my old standby Bar Mezzana in Boston. As much for the familiarity as the bar staff, the memories of the great dinners there, and of course the food. There are many others in other cities, but this is stop #1.
Stay safe, and have a Happy Thanksgiving.