Page 26 - BusinessWest January 6, 2021

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2021 >>
Healthcare
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sumer attitudes to be changed in the wake of the pandemic. For several months, people have been getting used to different ways of getting their needs fulfilled, whether it is virtual visits, remote working, takeout dining, or online retail. I think this will put greater pressure on traditional bricks-and-mortar enterprises, including Baystate, to revisit their busi- ness models.
BusinessWest: In many ways, you have been the face of the pandemic in this region, often sending out strong statements on the need to socially dis- tance, wear masks, and take the steps necessary to stem the spread of the virus. What is your message to the community now, 10 months after the start of the pandemic, and with what many are calling a light at the end of the tunnel in sight?
Dr. Keroack: The light at the end of the tunnel is real, but it is still months away, and we are now in a perilous situation with more virus circulating in the community than we had last spring. Many people, especially older people, are doing what they need to do to protect themselves, but many more are minimizing or still denying the risks of infection. It is now more important than ever to follow the guid- ance on masking, social distancing, and handwash- ing. Furthermore, we need to restrict our visits to indoor spaces that are not our homes, particularly if masks are not being worn.
BusinessWest: The governor recently rolled back, if that’s the proper phraseology, many of the restric- tions on certain types of businesses. Do you believe further restrictions will be needed before the current situation improves?
Dr. Keroack: I think it is likely that the latest restrictions will not be enough to slow down the spread of the virus. We are seeing that some may- ors are issuing regulations that go beyond what the governor recently proposed, and I suspect he too will have to roll back things still further before we are through the current crisis.
BusinessWest: Continuing with that thought, many businesses have closed over the past several
Education
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still want to be on campus; they want that tradi- tional experience.”
Noting that enrollment at community colleges usually rises during times of recession and high unemployment, Salomon-Fernández noted that this past fall semester was an exception to that rule, both because of large amounts of assistance to those who became jobless and the inability to attend in-person classes. She believes the vaccines, and the eventual end to those stimulus benefits, will change that equation.
“I think enrollment will start picking up in the fall of 2021,” she said. “In the long term, we can’t keep borrowing against ourselves — the national debt is the highest it’s been since the Great Depres- sion. This is not sustainable, and we expect that,
as the vaccine becomes available, the government subsidies will decline, and people will have ample
months, and many more are barely hanging on amid the restrictions placed on them. It’s often been said that elected leaders have to choose between sav- ing the economy and saving lives. Is there any way, in your opinion, to effectively do both?
Dr. Keroack: There are examples of countries that have done both. They are characterized by high rates of rule following, easy access to testing, and financial support for people who are sick and can- not work. Many Asian countries had great success opening their economies while also driving down infection rates. Other countries, like the U.S., were more likely to object to or doubt the effectiveness of the guidelines, and we saw a lot of people deciding to exempt themselves, sometimes with disastrous consequences. We also are not consistent in terms
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greater sense of community and togetherness, we will have gained something valuable from what was otherwise a terrible ordeal.
of sick leave, so many were tempted to go to work while sick. For all these differences, it is fair to say that now nearly every country is sliding backward to higher virus levels, because even the most com- pliant groups get fatigued by these restrictions.
BusinessWest: As a business leader and manager of one of the region’s largest employers, can you talk about the ways this pandemic has changed business and how it’s conducted, and which of these changes may be permanent?
Dr. Keroack: I mentioned earlier the importance of flexibility and meeting the customer where they are. We have recommitted to improved customer service and easier access to care. We are still learn- ing in healthcare to be more like more customer- friendly sectors. I also expect that the strains on
the economy will cause healthcare to be examined again for being too high in cost. Baystate Health is
incentive to get back to work — and they’ll need the skills to enter, continue in, and thrive in the job market.”
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feeling a little bit of encouragement that it’s better than we thought it was going to be, although it’s certainly not what we want it to be.”
If we come out of this with a
the lowest-cost large health system in the state, and yet we still need to drive down costs further. We also need to remember that embedded in the pandemic was the George Floyd killing, which led to a reckon- ing with systemic racism in our country. Baystate Health as an organization has made eliminating racism and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclu- sion in our health system a top priority. Finally, I think we need to re-examine and improve how we do preventive public health in our state, and I hope Baystate Health can play a role there.
BusinessWest: They say adversity makes those who endure it stronger. How will this region become stronger because of this lengthy and difficult battle against COVID-19?
Dr. Keroack: If the pandemic has taught us any- thing, it is that we are all connected to each other. Infections historically have attacked those in lower socioeconomic groups more severely. When those infections spread easily, we all suffer when we have not dealt fully with advancing economic opportu- nity across all our communities. If we come out of this with a greater sense of community and togeth- erness, we will have gained something valuable from what was otherwise a terrible ordeal.
BusinessWest: Personally and professionally, what has it been like for you to lead a company like Baystate though this crisis? What have you learned about yourself, as a leader, if anything?
Dr. Keroack: There have been many stressful days, given the unknowns and dangers of this virus. I worry a lot about protecting our employees and see the stresses they have been going through. I am blessed with a wonderful team that has strong experience in infectious-disease management and epidemic containment. I also am gratified by the can-do attitude from so many on the front lines. They show tremendous commitment, compassion, and innovation. I think the major lessons I learned as a leader is to make sure people understand the reasons behind what we are trying to do and then to trust them to find the solutions. I have not been disappointed in that trust. u
the experts project they will, because the finish line, when it comes to the pandemic, will be much closer.
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Everyone is down right now when it comes to enrollment. But we’re
26 JANUARY 6, 2021
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2021
BusinessWest
Looking ahead to the spring, Birge said MCLA will operate very much as it did in the fall, but with even more testing due to the colder weather at the start. Spring break will be eliminated, and an extra day will be tacked on to President’s Day weekend.
Like he said, the spring will be a lot like last fall. It will be different, though, if the vaccines work as
“Everyone is down right now when it comes to enrollment,” Birge said. “But we’re feeling a little bit of encouragement that it’s better than we thought it was going to be, although it’s certainly not what we want it to be.” u
—George O’Brien