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JUNE 2020
It’s Time to Pivot
We have all sacrificed during the quarantine — some more than others — and everyone in our own unique way.
It is time to pivot our attention and resources to mending a dormant economy. Every business is essential to the families of its employees. With appropriate safety protocols, businesses must be allowed to reopen. The initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic of social distancing is justifiable based on the uncertainty the illness presented. Its high rate of transmission and lack of response to treatment made it especially worrisome. Experienced meAdical professionals were truly baffled by this virus. Government leaders, faced with few good options, made the best decisions they could with the limited information they had at the time. But that time has passed. Individuals can make their own decisions as to the level of risk they can tolerate. High-risk individuals can self-isolate at home. Businesses can take appropriate measures to protect their workers and customers. Every business faces its own unique circumstances. What might work for a restaurant might not work for an electrical contractor. A blanket approach across all industries will not work.
The purpose of our quarantine efforts has never been, nor can it be, to eliminate COVID-19 or prevent anyone from contracting it. Only a
vaccine can do that. The goal has always been to keep the infection rate as low as possible for as long as possible. This is what “flattening the curve” is about. Flattening the curve lowers the infection rate. Reducing the infection rate allows the medical community to treat patients over a greater period of time. It is important to remember that the quarantine has its own health consequences as well. As public health officials learn more about COVID-19, appropriate measures can be taken. If lifting quarantine restrictions leads to an upward spike in new infections, then quarantine measures can be reinstituted. What is clear now is the economy must be a priority; it cannot remain dormant forever. People must get back to work, schools must reopen, and public spaces must be available.
“Every business faces its own unique circumstances. What might work for a restaurant might not work for an electrical contractor. A blanket approach across all industries will not work.”
P.S. Our office is still operating remotely. If you have questions about real estate, estate planning, or civil litigation, then please email me at ESmyth@EJSmythCo.com.
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HISTORY OF THE PEPSI FLEET HOW PEPSI BECAME THE WORLD’S SIXTH LARGEST NAVY
Coke or Pepsi?
PepsiCo Stolichnaya vodka in exchange for the cola. This deal was great for both parties until the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and the United States boycotted Soviet products, including vodka. If the USSR wanted to keep its supply of sweet cola, then they would need to
This is one of the oldest brand wars in the world, but these days, most of us are willing to settle for whichever soda is available. But if you
happened to be in the Soviet Union during the 1980s, Pepsi was the soda of choice. The Soviets loved Pepsi so much that they were willing to make PepsiCo a naval superpower in order to get more of that refreshing, sugary beverage. In 1972, PepsiCo secured a deal to sell Pepsi syrup to the USSR, where it would be bottled locally. Not only did this deal make Pepsi the first Western product to be sold in the USSR, but it also locked The Coca-Cola Company out of the market, giving PepsiCo a monopoly. But before the deal could be finalized, the Soviets needed to figure out how to pay for the cola syrup.
give PepsiCo something else. That’s when the Soviets offered up part of their naval fleet.
In exchange for $3 billion worth of Pepsi, the Soviet Union traded 17 submarines, a cruiser, a frigate, and a destroyer. This trade made PepsiCo the sixth most
powerful naval military in the world. The deal was reported in a 1989 New York Times article, which included a quote from the CEO of PepsiCo to the United States’ national security advisor: “We’re disarming the Soviet Union faster than you are.” PepsiCo quickly sold the fleet to a Swedish company for scrap recycling, but for a few days, Pepsi had the potential to become the ultimate victor in the cola wars.
Rubles, the Soviet currency, were worthless internationally. To get around this, the Soviets traded
TIMES THE OLYMPICSWERE CANCELED And the Postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Games
In late March, amid the global spread of COVID-19, the International Olympic Committee announced the postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games. They were slated to take place in Tokyo, Japan, this summer, but they will now happen in the summer of 2021. While this is an unprecedented decision, it’s not the first time that major global events have affected the Olympic Games or which countries participated. Since the inception of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, they have been outright canceled three times — 1916, 1940, and 1944. The first cancellation of the Olympic Games happened duringWorldWar I. The German Empire was supposed to host the games in Berlin, but by the time 1916 rolled around, Europe was deep in the trenches of WWI. Many nations had sent their athletes to fight in the war, so the games were canceled.
WorldWar II caused the next two cancellations. The 1940 Olympics were initially scheduled to be held in Tokyo. It would have been the first time the games were hosted by a non-Western country, but Japan forfeited the right to host when they invaded China in 1937. The games were then rebooked for Helsinki, Finland, but after Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939 and startedWWII, those games were scrapped as well. Since the fighting hadn’t ceased by the time the games were supposed to happen in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, in 1944, the Olympics were canceled again. Though the Olympics have happened on schedule since the end of WWII, the United States has not always participated. In 1980, when the U.S. boycotted the Olympics that were held in Moscow, Russia, in protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, 64 other nations followed suit. However, those games still went on as planned and 80 countries participated. The fact that major global conflicts are the only other events that have been catastrophic enough to affect the Olympics might be distressing and elevate anxiety about our current global health crisis. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the Olympics have only been postponed this time, not canceled. We’ll still get to cheer on our favorite Olympians next year.
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TAKE A BREAK
TURN YOUR VACATION INTO A STAYCATION
3 Ways to Replace a Canceled Vacation
Vacations provide opportunities for families to spend time together in a relaxed environment, get away from the routines of everyday life, and create meaningful memories. If you’ve recently had to cancel a trip but still want to create the experience of a vacation for your family, then a staycation is just what you need. TRANSFORM YOUR BACKYARD When you’re trying to recreate a vacation, the outdoor areas of your home present a variety of possibilities. You can turn a sandbox into a relaxing beach, complete with a kiddie pool “ocean.” If you have trees, then set up a zip line or obstacle course. You can even stimulate summer brains with a scavenger hunt around the backyard with hidden clues in the dirt or bushes. The ultimate prize can be something you would have purchased on your original vacation, like a souvenir you can find online. CREATE A ‘FAMILY MUSEUM’ Many vacations include an educational aspect in order to enrich our understanding of the place we’re visiting, and museums are a great way to accomplish that. If you’re confined to the house, then teach your kids about your own knowledge and interests and encourage them to get creative and make their own contributions, too. Have everyone create art, take photos, or write about their prized possessions. Display these masterpieces around your home and let their creators take you on a tour. Learning more about one another builds meaningful bonds. BRING YOUR TRIP HOME You probably chose your original vacation destination in order to experience new and different cultures and activities. But just because you’re no longer traveling to that location doesn’t mean you can’t experience some of what it has to offer! Research popular local cuisine, activities, and history of the area, then create ways to experience them with your family. Cook a traditional meal, recreate a scenic location through photographs, or share a story about local lore and history. Your changed plans will no longer feel like a missed opportunity. Staying at home doesn’t mean your family can’t have the fun of a vacation. All it takes is a little creativity and innovation to build an experience that will bring your family closer together.
GRILLED BASIL CHICKEN AND TOMATOES
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
You can’t go wrong with grilled chicken and tomatoes on a warm summer’s evening. It’s a simple recipe that packs a flavor punch.
Ingredients
•
2 tbsp olive oil
•
1/4 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves
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1 clove garlic
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8 Roma tomatoes
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1/2 tsp salt
•
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 oz each)
•
3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Directions
1. For marinade: In blender, combine olive oil, garlic, salt, vinegar, and basil. Cut 2 tomatoes into quarters and add to mixture. Cover and process until blended. Halve remaining tomatoes for grilling.
2. In bowl, combine chicken and 2/3 cup marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Reserve remaining marinade.
3. Heat grill to about 350–400 F. Lightly oil grates. Grill chicken until internal temperature reads 165 F, about 4–6 minutes per side. Grill tomatoes until lightly browned, about 2–4 minutes per side. Discard remaining marinade.
4. Serve chicken and tomatoes with reserved marinade.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
It’s Time to Pivot
Care for a Pepsi, Comrade? Have the Olympics Ever Been Postponed Before?
2
Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes 3 Enriching Staycation Ideas
3
4
Help Local Nonprofits in Challenging Times
THE BEST WAYS TO HELP LOCAL NONPROFITS IN CHALLENGING TIMES
VOLUNTEER
Over the past several months, families, businesses, and nonprofits have had to navigate life in this challenging “new normal,” and it can be hard to support your favorite nonprofits when times are tough. Here are a few ways you can help these important entities, even when you don’t have resources to spare right now.
In a time of social distancing, volunteering may be discouraged, but nonprofits still need volunteers to operate. The good news is that many nonprofits need volunteers for positions that maintain social distance, such as driving. Food banks and kitchens need drivers to pick up donations or ingredients from donors and to deliver food to people in need, such as the elderly or those with disabilities.
DONATE
While many people donate generously during the holiday season, remember that nonprofits need donations throughout the year, and different nonprofits need different things. A monetary donation can often go a long way, but never feel obligated to give money, especially when your budget may be tight. Instead, consider cleaning out your closet. What clothes, shoes, or other accessories can you part with? What about dishware or small appliances? When you clean out your home and donate unused items, you benefit those in the community who need them most.
ADVOCATE
Even if you don’t have time or resources to give, you can become an advocate for important causes around your community. While it might not seem like much, sharing information about local nonprofits on social media can make a genuine difference. Nonprofits need exposure, which is greatly boosted through community support. Sharing useful information about nonprofits — or sharing their posts — increases their visibility so more people will take action.
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