published on www.acs.org/content/acs/en/industry/industry-matters/mark-jones-may-21-2020.html
Industry Matters Newsletter May 21,
2020
Mark E. Jones, PhD, Executive External Strategy and Communications Fellow, The
Dow Chemical Company
I just encountered “three gratitudes” for the first time. Proponents of the
three gratitudes exercise say it is effective at reducing stress during trying
times. These are certainly trying times, times requiring stress reduction.
Pausing to reflect and finding just three things that you are grateful or
thankful for is prescribed. Those sold on the power of three gratitudes state
that expressing gratitude can lead to increased happiness and reduce stress. I
can’t find actual clinical studies that support this assertion, but it certainly
seems harmless. It is an activity that, at worst, can do no harm. Any happiness
that results is certainly a welcome break from the unrelenting stress of
coronavirus.
The COVID-19 pandemic is testing us. Many activities that are foundational to
the ACS are being cancelled, curtailed or forced virtual. Planning is certainly
more challenging than in previous years. It prompted me to want to explore areas
where some aspect of chemistry causes me to be thankful, three chemical
gratitudes.
I am thankful that the chemical shell surrounding the novel coronavirus is made
of lipids. The lipid shell is easily disrupted, rendering it benign. It didn’t
have to be that way. Other viruses have protein shells that encapsulate their
payloads, rendering them quite resistant in the environment. The novel
coronavirus is neutralized by soap and water. Alcohols, too. That is a bit of
chemistry to be grateful for and somewhat comforting. I take some solace
that soap – plain old soap – is an effective weapon.
I am grateful that we now have tantalizing evidence that drugs, products of the
practice of chemistry, are effective at reducing the duration and severity of
disease caused by the virus. This inspires hope since where there is one
drug, there may be others. A day ago, there were none. Today, we know there is
at least one. I am thankful that it now appears that treatments are on the way,
enabled by chemistry.
I am also thankful that the companies that form the backbone of the chemical
enterprise stepped up and are making a real difference. Plants are operating to
provide products that protect our medical heroes, our food and our health.
People went above and beyond to provide needed supplies and implement entirely
new products. Operators at some plants endured extended lockdowns to keep
operational. Companies rapidly became hand sanitizer producers, a response to a
critical need conceived and implemented in record time.
Chemistry is important in our battle against the virus. We are striving to find
the new normal for the ACS, new ways to support STEM education in the community,
new ways to celebrate the power of chemistry and new ways to recognize
achievement. Please consider sharing successes related to the COVID-19 response
from the chemical enterprise. I am sure there are many stories that will make us
all grateful.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not
necessarily reflect the view of their employer or the American Chemical Society.