In such circumstances, flippancy or dismissiveness doesn’t help. Even if leaders want to appear “tough”, the virus doesn’t understand such language: and it’s deeply alienating for the many people out there who are suffering and feel alone.

With data suggesting that female leaders may have handled coronavirus better, it seems to be women who are reshaping the effort for leaders to be recognised as both empathetic and strong.

If you care enough to cry tears over Covid-19, as Dr. Ezike did, you care enough to lead. So the message to her and other leaders should be: go ahead and cry. After all, who doesn’t need more empathy right now?

Images: Getty

The health director who cried as she talked about Covid is striking a chord with everyone right now