Speaking up, getting loud, not just walking past

Are you the kind of person who speaks up when you see something concerning? I'm not sure if I am, at least not all the time. I've often let others speak up, or assumed others would advocate. But the evolving COVID-19 situation here in Australia has got me posting on social media, forwarding emails, and this morning at work asking other health care workers to consider signing a letter to the Prime Minister asking for immediate, tougher measures to control the coronavirus outbreak. I'm not normally so vocal and forthright, however this crisis demands action. We don't want to face what Italy is facing. I'm doing what I can. Getting louder has made me consider how important it is to stand up for what we believe in, and to stand up for others. I found myself writing an email to hospital management today about a situation I considered dangerous (elderly volunteers still walking around at one of the hospitals I attend). In the past I would have been worried - and perhaps spoken to one of the volunteers, as I did this morning - but quite possibly taken it no further. I want to do more and be better going forward. For those of you already well-versed in advocacy, feel free to leave me tips and advice!

The standard you walk past is the standard you accept

- Australia's Governor-General David Hurley