Wasim El-Haj
Today is the third anniversary of having this blog -and so much has changed in terms of my career and the global job market and economy. Who could foresee all these changes? Never has it been more pertinent to adapt to be successful. Certainly, surveys conducted during 2020 showed that businesses who demonstrated creativity and agility -adapting to the new post-COVID environment- saw the best of success in challenging times.
We have witnessed the benefit of transferable skills-concert stage makers now making desks for home offices, brewers making hand sanitisers, flight crew using their customer service skills in managing queries for contact tracing and I even heard of CPAP mask manufacturers assisting in making ventilators (unconfirmed). Some people went back to old skills and professions they had transitioned out of; some people made use of the government supported courses for further development and transition into areas of need.
What hasn’t changed over the past year?
I could not fathom the number of people hoarding toilet paper. We have all seen the scenes -fights over who should have the toilet paper, empty shelves, people in long queues at 7:30am holding their safety rolls. Yet, there was never a shortage.
This made me think about money & gold. There is no shortage. There’s just a bunch of people who think they might one day in the future need the resource and so use their current wealth to stock up, at the expense of their neighbours going without the comfort and luxury. What does it reveal about the nature of such people? What does it say about their care for others?
I never ran out of toilet paper, because I am one of those tactical buyers. I wait tor things to go on half price then I buy them in bulk. Coles & Woolworths puts their toilet paper for half price every 10 weeks, approximately. I had bought my packs early January 2020 but ended up needing to share these with friends and colleagues. Unfortunately, the hoarders of toilet paper effectively created a shortage for those who could not get to the shops in time or didn’t have the wealth to snap up the stock. Does this sound familar in the inenquity of monetary access?
Be the change you want to see in the world. We all have power within us.
Many people give to charity – it is hard to give from that which we love. But our care for others ought to prevail. How many of us do not give to charity regularly, amassing wealth lest we need it in the future, while those around us go without. Sure, some earn more than others, but that means they’re in a position to do more good.
I did some social experiments online and in person with toilet paper. I watched how fast and sheepishly a passer by snapped up a packet of toilet paper I had purposely planted away from the dedicated aisle (she was very happy). I saw how much people were willing to pay to get a roll of toilet paper. Did you all see the single rolls wrapped up for sale online at a higher price? It really became a stock of its own. You’d think it was paper gold. However, most amusing was when I donated a packet of toilet paper to a colleague. At the junction of a staircase and a corridor, the eyes of all watched us, as though a highly-prized commodity was being transferred. It was a most bizarre sensation.
This week Woolworths has toilet paper on sale for half price. I did what I always do, stacked a few in my trolley and went to the checkout, judgemental eyes following me. There is no limit on toilet paper sales at the moment, an employee of Woolworths informed me. I got to the checkout and was told there is a limit of two per customer. I didn’t bother enquiring further, two will be enough for me for now, although I do like saving half the price of packets of toilet paper and spending them on things of value to me. I guess people get used to new rules and forget old ones.
In conclusion, it’s been a time of great change on so many fronts. The value of medical research, doctors & nurses is at the forefront, as it should have always been. We are able to make a positive change, even by the simple act of donating toilet paper.
We don’t know how long government payments to unemployed members of or community will continue. We must be ready to donate to support those less fortunate, if we are in a position of wealth. Many have lost their jobs & careers and are still transitioning into other roles. This is Australia Day and Australians are known for their mateship & camaradrie – let us care for each other. I have seen it happen over the past year; my elderly parents are ever grateful to their neighbours who unexpectly brought them boxes of essentials during the first lockdown in New South Wales.
Be the change you want to see in the world. We all have power within us.