3StePStofoSterdiverSityandincLuSionintheageofcovid-19
Diversity & Inclusion Committee
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to home with significant others , children , and / or extended family . Although we are approaching the one-year anniversary of required social-distancing , there are still growing pains that may affect the perceived efficiency of our colleagues . Implementation of empathetic and open dialogue about competing deadlines , communication preferences , and other obligations leads to an inclusively healthier practice . As a result , we will have time to appreciate the more humorous aspects of social distancing .
3 . Develop a General Awareness of Pressing Social Issues .
In addition to the pandemic , we are battling what researchers call an “ infodemic .” The United Nations World Health Organization ( WHO ) defines infodemic as the overabundance of information , both online and offline — some of which may be misleading . 2
According to WHO , COVID-19 is making history as the first pandemic in which technology and social media are being used on a massive scale to keep people safe , informed , productive , and connected . 3 Yet , “[ a ] t the same time , the technology we rely on to keep connected and informed is enabling and amplifying an infodemic .” 4 This , no doubt , can contribute to COVID-19 Fatigue and leave us suffering from news overload . However , awareness of recent intrinsic and extrinsic sociopolitical factors shaping the legal landscape in Tampa Bay is imperative for us to comprehensively approach legal issues we face . Therefore , schedule a finite amount of time to sift through the news in order to understand the pressing social issues within our community and the impact it has . Such a regulated habit will leave you feeling unexpectedly refreshed , rather than fatigued , in 2021 .
Abraham Lincoln said , “ In the end , it ’ s not the years in your life that count . It ’ s the life in your years .” May we all optimistically view this next year in our life as an opportunity to grow together while apart by taking these three steps to foster diversity and inclusion within Tampa Bay and beyond . n
1 https :// digitalcommons . ilr . cornell . edu / cgi / viewcontent . cgi ? article = 1107 & context = workingpapers ( last visited Dec . 7 , 2020 ).
2 https :// www . who . int / news / item / 23-09-2020-managing-the-covid-19- infodemic-promoting-healthy-behavioursand-mitigating-the-harm-frommisinformation-and-disinformation ( last visited Dec . 7 , 2020 ).
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Author : Alexis D . Deveaux – Gunster , Yoakley & Stewart
Welcome New HCBA Members October - November 2020
Mary Katherine Bleckley Patrick Sherman Brathwaite Jeffrey Bristol Chelsea Buckholtz Paul M . Crochet Daniel Howard Crowe Shawnda R . Francis
Tiffany Hilton Joanne Joseph Ronald H . Josepher Paul Latvis Jessica Linney Karen Mulroe Luis E . Orengo , Jr .
Pamela Cordova Papasov Patrick Perez R . Ryan Rivas Robert Sylvester , Jr . Carolay Vargas Latoya Wiggins Michael A . Ziegler
J A N - F E B 2 0 2 1 | H C B A L A W Y E R
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