July 6-10

Hi Gang,

Ugggghhh, this school opening/not opening thing is an absolute nightmare. How are parents (especially two working parents) supposed to navigate the lack of certainty and possibility of hybrid schedules? I’ve admittedly been living month-by-month, meaning when the plague started, I figured… OK, let’s get through March. Then… OK, let’s see where things stand by July 4. My brain cannot compute six or (dear god) 12 months down the road. And yet, here we are in the second half of 2020, and I can’t avoid the reality that we’re nearing the start of the school year (and dare I say it, the holidays).

The entire situation reminds me of a time I went caving in New Zealand. I’ll explain…

When you’re 60 feet underground, it’s incredibly quiet and dark. Thanks to a headlamp, you navigate through the narrowest of crevices, shimmying through jagged spaces and dropping into pockets that open up to underground lakes. It’s both vast and tiny, and it’s completely unfamiliar. Periodically, you think to yourself, “I would never have imagined myself here.” And sometimes, “Why am I doing this?” In many moments, you feel grateful and accomplished for tackling this brave new unknown. “Good for me for leaving my comfort zone!”

After a few hours of this, the guide had us stop and turn off our headlamps. He wanted us to appreciate the sheer silence and blackness. So there we sat, for what felt like an eternity. Underground. In total darkness. I don’t recommend this idea. You’re left with nothing but your thoughts. After a few seconds of appreciation, mine turned to, “I’m 60 feet under pure rock, with no exit in sight. What if something happens? I can’t get out! I’m trapped down here!” It was immediately harder to breathe, which is where I turned my focus (thanks, yoga!). You have two options in that moment: Lose your sh*t or control your thoughts. And of course, a third: Turn your headlamp back on and keep going.

Which brings me back to this moment. I’m sure the more evolved among you have better coping strategies than mine. But for now, I’m breathing in. Breathing out. Keeping my headlamp on. And moving forward. I have no idea how to get out of here, but I know I will… eventually.

News & Resources

Business, Leadership & Self

• HBR: Working Parents, Your Family Needs a “Board of Directors”

• INC: 3 Things You Still Have Control Over When Facing Uncertainty

• How unhealthy really is it to have an alcoholic drink (or two) every day?

News of Interest

• Big Pharma joins forces on $1B fund to shore up struggling antibiotics makers

• Walmart divulges plans for ‘healthcare supercenters’

• Rock Health: 2020 Midyear Digital Health Market Update: Unprecedented funding in an unprecedented time

• Pharma's pandemic response could help attract tech talent, Novartis digital chief says

Diversity & Inclusion

• RRA: Diversity and Inclusion During a Crisis: Five Emerging Lessons

From the Community

• AI 50: America’s Most Promising Artificial Intelligence Companies – congrats to the many biotech/health-tech companies on this list!

• WSJ: Cancer Screening Leaps Forward – Innovation sneaks up on us: There’s a new DNA test that detects more illnesses, earlier. – GRAIL, a true game-changer

• Atreca and Xencor Enter Strategic Collaboration to Discover, Develop and Commercialize Novel T Cell Engaging Bispecific Antibodies – OMG, you guys have been busy!!!

• HCR Partners Announces Two New Appointments to Senior Advisor Board – Wow, great additions, Clarke! Congrats!

Food Fight – send me yours!

This week’s winner is Mark McClung, EVP & CBO at Sangamo, who is QUITE the chef!!!

Chef’s comments: “Organic chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese, shallots, fresh thyme and medjool dates, wrapped in prosciutto. Baked umami carrots and pan-seared Brussel sprouts with dates, prosciutto, sherry, a touch of vinegar, topped with Aleppo pepper, fresh thyme and chives. Served with an Oberon Chardonnay.”

Point of View – What are you experiencing? Whether it’s your WFH set-up or what you’re seeing on the road, please share photos! (I can share anonymously if you prefer.)

This week’s winner is Scott Myers, CEO of AMAG (I can’t keep track of you, Scott! He started the Boston-based CEO gig from across the country, near Seattle. Apparently he’s in Colorado at the moment.).

Scott’s take: “I’m quarantined in the Roaring Fork River 😎🐟.”

I couldn’t resist sharing this shot of my sister’s family arriving this week, immediately wedging their RV (which may be larger than my actual house) between the fence and some redwoods. They got it through eventually, but I have no idea how they’re going to get it back out!

A Little Levity

• Little Girls Have The Most Special Relationship With Cats – even if you don’t like cats, this really is the most adorable thing…

• KBO Playing Games in Front of Stuffed Animal Fans is a COVID-19 Trend We Can All Get Behind – remember the story about the orchestra playing to plants? Love this one too!

Be well,

Jackie