Archives for April 2020

RISK ROUNDUP—As we reach the end of April, and hopefully soon, an end to the national emergency and pandemic status of our country and world, we felt that an update on last month’s blog post would be meaningful.

Below are remarks from staff members at American Risk Managers, describing their current situations during the COVID-19 crisis and what the company is doing to spotlight Essential Workers.

Walter

A Great Discovery

We’re in our sixth week of remote operations.

Everything is actually a little smoother.

Rather than talking over an early office cup of coffee, we make phone contacts with our work mates for a quick “Here’s what I’m planning for today” and “I may need you on this part of the activities.” As well as, “Will you need me? If so, when?”

We have an agreement, unless an emergency arises, that all conference calls are scheduled two days in advance.

Wally has managed to keep the bills paid, especially the payroll.

With the smart phones, and smart data communication equipment—and in my case—smarter associates, everything is about normal. Except for the face time with our clients.

Which during this time, has been reemphasized to me–how important this time becomes.

I do miss my cluttered desk. Mama Sue is more demanding in the level of housekeeping in my temporary work area than my office mates are of my desk at work.

Surprisingly, our phone dilemma that had Sue running up and down the stairs to tell me a business phone call had leaked over onto the house phone has been solved. (You can read last month’s post here.)

She simply put a monitor downstairs that shows me who is calling.

Sue and I have muddled through my 86^th birthday and our 64^th wedding anniversary and Easter during this period.

And maybe my greatest discovery. You can do this stuff (Risk Management) in your underwear.

 

Jessica

The Things That Mean The Most

Quarantine is something a few months ago, I would never have imagined ever experiencing in my lifetime. It has been an adjustment. To working from home, not seeing friends and family, not going to the grocery store, etc.

I usually spend at least a few hours every Saturday with my parents. I have seen them once since all of this started and it was sitting in their driveway. I miss my Saturdays and my hello and goodbye hugs and kisses. 

Working from home for an extended amount of time has also been a new experience. I have worked from home before, but not for this amount of time.

Technology has made it so easy to do, though. Having the internet, phone and a computer allows me to be able to still effectively perform everything I need to do.

Also, most of my clients and the brokers, the underwriters we work with, are also working from home, so everyone is in the same boat. I do look forward to being able to get back out and have face-to-face meetings with clients. 

I have been able to accomplish a lot at home during this, as well, since we can’t go anywhere in the evenings or on the weekends. I have planted a garden, something I haven’t done in probably ten years. I look forward to the fresh veggies coming up.

We have worked in the yard a lot, as well as inside the house. I have also been able to help my husband work around the farm. We have worked on fences and moving the cows around to get ready for the summer ahead. It has been nice being able to spend good quality time with him.

So, all in all, I am ready to get back to normal, but have appreciated the things God has showed me during this time. It has brought me back and helped me remember the things that mean the most.

In all you do and all decisions you make, look for His guidance. And during this difficult time for so many, remember to show patience, love and understanding.

As we, hopefully, come near the end of our quarantine days, I pray for those who are still being affected by this awful virus—whether they or a loved one are sick or have lost someone from this virus.

I pray that, as we open back up, we do so in a way to keep everyone safe. 

 

Spears Farms – Where Jessica has spent some of her time while not working.

 

Wally

The Lord IS With Us

Well, here we are about 7 weeks later…

And you think you know cabin fever, until you have met cabin fever.

The difference in me and most folks is, I’ve been blessed by being the official “go-outer.”

A lot of places I go, I wear the mask and gloves and stuff. But probably more times than not, I try to practice the social distancing.

The Lord was with us before this started.

He’ll be with us when it’s over with.

And what a lot of folks don’t realize—He’s with us during it.

So we just need to continue to push forward.

Listen to our leaders.

And listen to our Heavenly Father.

And we will survive.

In Jesus’ name.

 

Chazz

Saluting Essential Heroes

In the last month, many things have changed for me. And while many things have also remained the same, nothing seems to feel the same.

I now have two bosses who are working from home, but I still have one boss who comes in and out. We each have our own offices and we continue to practice social distancing.

My day-to-day work activities have not altered much, as in our state of Alabama, we are considered an essential business (financial/professional services category). So, we have been blessed and are very fortunate.

Since our last post, besides all my regular duties, I’ve also put a lot of time and effort into turning our American Risk Managers Facebook page into a “Saluting Our Essential Heroes” page.

We made the decision to focus on and highlight our area’s “Essential Workers” to help support our community during this crisis.

Our salutes have focused on persons who do not have the option to work from home and who must deal with the public on a daily basis.

So far, we have created videos or posts with photographs to honor 20 different persons or organizations. The response from their friends and family members has been amazing—so these people are getting some of the recognition that they deserve.

 

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Our first “Essential Worker/Hero” was Kyle Compton, who works at Walmart. Kyle is my son’s best friend and is like a second son to me.You can view his video here. You can view all the salutes here.

 

On a personal level, I missed seeing my grandchildren at Easter, but my son continues to incorporate as many FaceTime visits, as well as videos and photographs, as any grandma could ever hope for.

I do hope and pray that this roller coaster or “Corona Coaster” ride ends soon. With news headlines and official guidelines seemingly going from extreme safety to what resembles shame and blame—both for those following strict protocols and for those whose opinions differ on the subject—my body is beginning to be affected by the nearly two months of non-stop stressors.

Yet, my situation is nothing compared to those who have lost loved ones, have been sick or had sick family members, who’ve lost jobs, who’ve been in lockdown for weeks on end or who must put their own lives at risk each day.

I am truly blessed. I have a great long-distance family support system, kind and Christian bosses, a special church family I can connect with via Facebook, friends who check in through calls or texts, and a faith that continues to grow as my Lord showers me with His love, grace and mercy.

To God Be The Glory!

 

American Risk Managers
Risk Management That Pays for Itself in Lower Premiums
www.Amerisk.org  1 (800) 548-0117  Advisor@Amerisk.org
Serving Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana & Arkansas

 

(Photo Credits: Feature Photo – Chazz; Farm Photo – Jessica; and Essential Heroes Meme and Kyle Photo – Chazz.)