The Power of Influence
What does it take to be an influencer? Does it take celebrity, elected office, media presence, an impressive title, or notable works? Or is it as simple as having the capacity to influence someone, something, or the effect itself? Within a family unit, parents have influence as do their children. Teachers, doctors, neighbors, co-workers have an effect on those under their care or within close proximity. Whether casting a wide net of influence or a narrow line, everyone is an influencer to someone. It’s only a matter of degree that differentiates.
There has and continues to be a vast amount of disinformation that flows through media, social, and personal channels. It can be difficult to navigate the sea of information – and misinformation – that rises to the surface. Unless anchored by credible sources, the likelihood of being swept up in a stormy swell is easily possible.
The advent, proliferation, and destructive capabilities of the coronavirus and its mutations is an example of the perfect storm. Regardless of how or why it began, it landed on American shores in early 2020. What seemed like draconian lockdowns occurred, schools and businesses adapted to strict regulations, and as a populace, we hid from the virus with stay-at-home orders to buy time until a solution could be found.
In record-breaking speed, vaccines were developed based on new technologies that had been studied for other diseases, as well as a one-shot version based on the science of older time-tested inoculations. The FDA gave emergency authorization, vaccination sites popped up, and the vulnerable populations waited in long lines for the opportunity to survive the threat and live a normal life again. The end seemed to be in sight. Now eight months into 2021, the pandemic’s end remains elusive.
Today, businesses have reopened and school bells ring ushering in the return of in-person learning. Yet, the Delta variant, which is three to four times more infectious than the original virus, rages. Vaccinations among the eligible stalled, and children under 12 have not been cleared to receive the vaccine. Predictions are that everyone – the vaccinated and the unvaccinated – will be exposed to the Delta at some point. Scientists believe survival of various populations will statistically differ based, in part, on vaccination status.
This would be a good time in our history for the power of individual influence to reign. If you know someone not vaccinated, take the time to find out why. It’s not always for the political reasons that polarize constituents or plague conspiracy theorists. It could be for fear of losing income by taking time off should side effects occur. Or it may be someone doesn’t know where to find information from credible sources or it may be a genuine fear. Some have taken a wait-and-see approach, but further delay at this point could be deadly. Help where you can.
Curious who’s winning the fight against COVID-19 – vaccines or variants? Join political commentator Dan Schnur, a politics professor at USC, UC-Berkeley, and Pepperdine, and host of the weekly Politics in the Time of Coronavirus livestream, as he connects the news cycle with larger political trends to provide insight on the current state of the pandemic. The Valley Industry Association hosts Professor Schnur for a virtual presentation on Thursday, August 19, 2021 starting at 11 a.m. Reservations required; visit www.via.org/calendar to register.
Teresa Todd, founder and owner of Point of View Communications, was named one of The Valley 200 Most Influential Leaders for 2021 by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
Congratulations!