Our grandparents were called to fight in wars. We’re being called to wash our hands and sit on the couch.

Today’s newsletter is dedicated to everyone who feels a bit uprooted and overwhelmed.

In fact, in this monthly letter to our good UbudProperty’s clients, by instinct I did not want to mention ‘The Corona Thing’ at all, because you have heard all which is out there, the hype, the fear mongering and the truth from many sources already. Even a well-researched summary could probably not add much of value for you.

Well-researched still doesn’t come close to reveal all we need to know, such as: will we be immune after having had the virus living inside us and won our personal battle? How long will the economical drama last and how will the people and economies look when coming out at the other end?

Then I thought, just wanting to sound cheerful and optimistic and cutting the whole misery out of this letter is bordering on ignoring your sense for reality and the truth. Cannot do. Better I add my two pennies worth of thought here, cut this report short and we’re done and over with in 5 minutes.

When you may read this, all of today’s statistics about the pandemic are surely already ancient and overtaken by unfolding events. I am writing here from home and today is Saturday, March 28. On 25 of March there were a reported 15.000 new cases in New York. Today it is a staggering over 30.000 with similar explosive numbers elsewhere and who knows what the future holds?

So you agree, that I should not ignore the monster sitting on the doorstep, do you?

This monster global-scale disaster will not be over anytime soon and I cannot think of anyone who may not be affected. Maybe Daniel Defoe would refer to his hero Robinson Crusoe, but then this shipwrecked refugee on a deserted island was just a fantasy figure anyway and does not really count.

Our Company, UbudProperty, the management and myself are all probably well regarded by our clients to be realistic and positive in our thinking, giving advice and planning.

Today, in the last office meeting, before almost everyone in the Company works from home, we discussed that now is definitely the time to practice some good old fashioned thought control.

There is just too much unchecked negative opinion out there, which leads to worry and long term cost, which come with such constant worry. Unchecked worrying adds fuel to the economic downturn. … and is too late anyway, - the dog is already off the chain.

Sure, things are grim and the unknown is well… just that, the unknown. Our world has been plunged into uncertainty and it’s messing with our heads.

Joint resolution: – no way, we focus on how to help and protect our clients and serve them and needless to say, our own mental state too.

Worrying not only gives us a zero return, it leaves us in a worse position. If you were asked to write down all the things you are worried about, it would be a lengthy list and your fears would manifest.

But that’s exactly what so many people are doing over and over in their minds every day and their thinking wanders into enemy territory. One of the sure-fire ways to avoid negative nonsense : Keep clear of Social Media. It’s mostly bad news. Tune in to the right and trustworthy sources for news, such as the WHO, and the public Health Authorities. Make sure you do the best for your family and loved ones and plan onwards. This thing has a beginning, a middle (not there yet) and an end!

If you are really clever – use your pandemic wisely! Do the things at home, which have been put off for long, spend time with the kids to help them understand the world as it is, without gaming and social networking. The aim is to get out of this in better shape as when we went in it.

At home here there is this electronic organ, which hasn’t been used, since bought new about four years ago. Oh my, I will try to become a composer. The gate needs painting. The rain gutter is leaking in two places. The shoe carton with acrylic paints, which were at risk of drying out, will come off the shelf, and coming to think of it, I might try to refresh my knowledge of some ancient school stuff, which is not taught in Indonesia and force my loved ones into short joint refresher courses, because I remember in horror the question: ‘Bapak, what is the capital of London’?

In Indonesia, more than in most western Countries, the Government can only do so much to help out. We have reached the point where we need to be accountable and take responsibility for our own health and safety and for those that we love and care for.

Experts are saying the better we can contain the spread, the fewer people will become infected and the faster we can look at getting back to normal. That’s the quick and dirty plan that seems to be working in countries where the virus is beginning to be contained and the number of new cases is falling.

Stay healthy, keep busy and optimistic !

Ray, - for the team of UbudProperty

P.s.

Just saying:

Right now we see many Bali shops closed and the roads are wonderfully manageable again. What we do not see, are the daily workers who lost their jobs, such as construction workers from other islands, who tend to spend what they earn quickly again or send their weekly money home. Usually there is no reserve for next week, maybe also no travel money to go back to their home kampong. However, the stomach still demands input. Most of them will go hungry soon.

Yesterday one of UbudProperty’s clients, who bought a villa for investment and his occasional holidays here, was asking us if we can organize security for his presently unoccupied property, because he does foresee ‘trouble’.

You do not have to be a frightful person or overly pessimistic to understand that this man has a point.

According to recent statistic there are 222 Indonesian police officers in service for every 100.000 citizen.

Taking about a third of administrative staff off who cannot take care of public security, that leaves 146 police for 100.000 or in other words, one police for 680 persons. Not really impressive, when it comes to think about crowd control.

Now it may not come to this dire situation at all. But should maybe the proverbial dung hit the fan, – are you ready?

Got the phone numbers of your local police station, your local pecalang and neighbors on speed dial? The flash car is sitting in the garage, door closed? Is it a good idea to keep a reasonable amount of cash handy to pacify intruders (if any)? You sure have your own plan in mind. Possibly a good thing.

… and after all, we are blessed being on Bali, where people are friendly, passionate, outgoing and helpful. Wouldn’t want to be in New York, Barcelona or Mumbai right now.

Stay safe !