Community in a Time of Pandemic

All over my feeds, my friends, my groups, my circles:

well cancel upshort distance sick loss home avoid income fear virtual layoff ends
NOT MET
DON’T MEET

So we are staying home, working from home, not panicking at home.

But my sights are still turned outward.

I’m doing things. I’m emailing and letter writing to pen pals. I’m urging online meetings, participating more in groups and forums. Every day I’ll be sending Marco Polos (Marco Polo a great free App for communicating via live video messages, if you don’t have it, check it out), making phone calls (remember those), and trying to figure out how to support my community virtually.

Here are some of my ideas plus some garnered from friends’ emails and discussions.

Grab one and do it twice, three times, whatever you can do, to fight the isolation of being isolated. To fight the economic impact of economizing.

1. Wash your hands. Handwashing never gets old, and if you do, you will. Lotion, even unscented, also smells good. Treat your nose nicely.
2. Wear gloves over your nice clean hands when you go out. They are cute, they will remind you not to touch your face, and you can throw them in the laundry when you get home. Need gloves? Call me! I’ll put some in a bag on the doorstep for you.
3. Order food from your favorite restaurant and go pick it up. Restaurants will be hard hit with no customers. After you open bags and plate your food, WASH YOUR HANDS AGAIN before sitting down to the table. Support them AND eat at home where you know it is safe.
4. Do not eat wearing gloves. Wash your hands.
5. Use https://restaurantconnectionsb.com/ and request my friend Chad to see if he’s working, and TIP WELL. Here’s a message from Chad: “I am a delivery partner with Restaurant Connection (local restaurant service for SB, Goleta & parts of Carp). I sanitize my hot/cold bags and wash my hands a lot. I think if I’m on duty and available, you can request me. Oh, and even if you don’t use my service, remember drivers make most of their income on gratuities. Thanks. You can download the app or order from their website or just call in an order too.”
6. Sign in to https://www.patreon.com/ and look for the artists who have just lost their income as their shows and events got canceled. Send them what you can and bring attention to their art with your community. Need Tea? https://www.teaandabsinthe.com/ Want to support someone vulnerable? https://www.betterandcompany.com/
7. Lookup your favorite venues (the ones canceling events) and donate your tickets, donate extra money, or sponsor a fundraiser for them on Facebook.
8. Ask if everyone is OK. It’s SOCIAL media, be social.
9. Interested in MAGIC? That’s a topic close to my heart, and you can support Magical Performers and Artists by buying their products, like Master Payne’s Lecture notes or an Electrostatic Generator!
10. Inspire yourself with beautiful art, whether that is browsing a museum collection online, or checking out online art at places like Society6 where you’ll find the Whale and Petunia pieces in the image at the top of this post, or others by Dan Levin or Feffie’s Cottage.
    

In the days to come, I’m going to continue to share the information from friends and community members who need help in small or large ways. Reaching out, helping, is a way to feel connected and part of a community in this pandemic time.