COVID-19 First-Person Perspective: Phyllis Pickett
Phyllis Pickett
Phyllis Pickett serves as a Principal Legislative Analyst/Staff Attorney for the N.C. General Assembly on its non-partisan central staff. She is a former member of the NCBA Board of Governors and NCBF Board of Directors, and has served with the General Assembly for 29 years. Below is her interview with Russell Rawlings.
In all of your time with the General Assembly, including some 15 years in your present position, have you ever experienced anything like COVID-19?
I have not, and it is clear to me that no one has ever seen anything like this before. The pandemic really is of biblical proportions because it is worldwide and people have responded to it as individuals, families, communities, states and nations, all as best they can.
When did you first begin to sense that something significant was taking place?
I became aware back in March. The Legislative Services Office began taking steps early on to make sure that folks were safe and could work without disruption. The legal staff and other professional staffers were given training on working remotely and opportunities to make use of online videoconferencing tools and telephonic meetings. Masks were made available. Folks continued going to work in the office regularly, but to limit risks, we tried to make use of technology. The thing that stands out in my mind is that starting in March, government officials in all branches just pitched in and responded to the public health emergency at about the same time.
Were you able to do some of your work remotely from home?
Thankfully, yes. I started primarily working remotely in late March. The 2020 Regular Session began in late April and recessed in early July. Everyone worked hard throughout, as usual, plus there was the COVID-19 pandemic to deal with. So, the legislative session required me and others to return to the legislative complex because there are quite a few things that must be done on-site to make sure that all the work gets done properly and in good order. We needed to respond to COVID-19, and we needed to respond to the legislators and the public. The thing about the pandemic is that some functions that we may think of as not being too complicated, can become complicated given COVID-19. Things might have taken more time, but they still had to be done on time.
What was it like to be working at the legislature when it was in session amidst the backdrop of the pandemic?
Before session started, many of us on staff were already working on COVID-related issues, especially continuity of State government, public health, and economic and unemployment issues. That work continued and became more intense. Session ramped up work on the State Budget and the federal CARES Act funding. So, it was an “all hands on deck” situation. Everyone who came into the legislative buildings had to have their temperature checked. Social distancing was done. We continued to make use of remote meetings, even while physically present in the buildings. Face coverings were made available. COVID-19 was a focus of the session that increased efforts, but what has been a challenge and an inconvenience for some has been a tragedy for others. The short session was held during a time of crisis. I have much respect for the first responders, health care workers and other essential workers who continue to work throughout this crisis.
In some ways, was it a relief to be in session and forget about COVID-19 for a while?
That would be a fair statement. Sixty-hour workweeks are not uncommon during session, and I don’t think COVID changed that for anyone. In my experience, the legislative staff always pulls together to get the job done. The pandemic has made us pull together in new ways. Our Information Systems Division played a big part in that. They are behind the scenes, but with COVID, the ISD staff did a phenomenal job in keeping everyone connected 24/7. With technology, when you need it, you really need it, and this past interim and session are good examples of how important it is to have the right technology and the right people running it.
This article is part of the August 2020 issue of North Carolina Lawyer. Access a curated view of NC Lawyer or view the table of contents.