From the President

George A. Willis csc, sasc

Although the opposites of positive and negative are well understood, the situation that we are now faced with gives cause for some confusion. Whereas under normal circumstances the positive is always viewed and perceived as a better choice, we are now looking for more negatives in our lives. This is not meant to be a glib statement because it is connected to and associated with the most serious event of our lives, COVID-19. I base my statement on the (now) wellknown and universally acknowledged medical practice of testing for the coronavirus. In other words, when one is tested for the virus, one hopes for a negative result. A positive result is not well received for obvious reasons. While we look for the negative outcomes as described above, it is hoped that as few other negatives as possible will result from this pandemic. That said, realistically we are all fully aware that many negatives are just waiting to make themselves known. But there is also the unknown factor, and that is what concerns everyone because nobody has the ability to make any predictions. I believe that we are familiar with the saying, “the only thing to fear is fear itself,” and the mention of fear is enough to raise many levels of concern. The fear of not understanding the true ramifications of this global catastrophe cannot be diminished even though reasonable logic might be applied. But how can one apply logic to something that in itself seems to defy logic? With the many negative issues people have to deal with at this time, it is difficult to drum up the much needed positive emotional and financial boost that we need more than anything else. Even in this time of adversity, we have much to be thankful for, especially our frontline workers and others who keep us safe. We have the ability to communicate in so many ways, and that alone gives opportunity for that much needed but so often ignored fellowship. Nobody has the ability to predict when all this will end, but as we see the light at the end of the tunnel, we will remain positive in the knowledge that it will not be a train. And with that optimism we remember when we had work. At the end of the day, crews looked forward to hearing the words, “It’s a wrap.” However, now is the time when we must be positive and know that soon we will hear the words that we are all waiting to hear, “We’re baaaaack!” That will be a day to remember, so look after yourselves and stay positive.