Virtual Casualties

At this time last year, I was celebrating my birthday at a restaurant with a live band and close to 30 guests made up of my family and friends. When the party ended at around 2 am, I immediately went to the emergency room suffering from severe flu-like symptoms. There were no readily available COVID-19 tests at the time. The doctor told me to go home and get some rest. I was in bed for the next 14 days.

Four weeks later, the world shut down. Suddenly, the way I had been earning a living for the last 14 years was the new reality for the masses. The virtual office became commonplace to keep businesses operational. At VAAS, we responded to the current climate by vetting, hiring, and training new team members to provide high-quality executive support. We also adapted strict COVID guidelines for the protection of staff and clients.

I don’t know if I had COVID during that 2020 birthday celebration as I would test positive two months later and endure a string of similar symptoms. Fortunately, I recovered. And VAAS did not become one of the many business casualties.

This year’s birthday festivities were more subdued. I met the day with gratitude for the health of those I love and for the ability to maintain my business with integrity and consistency.