How to Stay In is a series about redefining "normal" life in order to take care of ourselves and one another during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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During a major crisis, an incredible amount of resource-sharing and taking care can and should happen at a micro level. Yes, you should be thinking about the entire country and world… but you should also remember that thinking small and getting to know your neighbors could literally mean the difference between life and death as people try to contend with a public health issue unlike one any of us has ever dealt with before.Not everyone has had the good fortune to be able to plan ahead. Those of us who can should do it now, today—and include others in those plans. Here are some tips to help you show up for those around you, even if you don't know them yet.If you’re new to connecting with your local community, you may be feeling overwhelmed. Great news: There are already Google Docs filled with tips and resources for neighborhood/community planning being shared widely, and more will surely pop up in the coming days. Here are a few to start with:
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel—consult the great resources that already exist.
- COVID-19 Collective Care. This is a comprehensive resource that includes tips for things like personal preparation, supporting the most vulnerable populations in your community, and keeping up with the news.
- How to Neighborhood Pod. If you’re willing to take on the responsibility of being your neighborhood’s point person, this guide explains what that entails, has suggestions for getting started, and links out to more relevant resources.
- A Neighborly Invitation Regarding Coronavirus. This is a form letter you can copy, edit, and distribute to your neighbors to get a community group off the ground; the letter asks them for basic details (like name and phone number) and invites them to share what they might need and be able to offer others.
- Community Care and Mutual Aid Sign-Up. This Google form is another way to collect information from your neighbors. (Caveat: It can’t be distributed in person. If you need something more accessible, or you don’t have everyone’s contract information yet, use it as a jumping-off point to create a worksheet to print and distribute.)
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Practice excellent hygiene in common areas.
Be conscientious of who you’re inviting into your building.
Introduce yourself to your neighbors and/or exchange phone numbers, if you haven’t yet.
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Start a community “in need of” list.
Set up a WhatsApp, Slack, or Facebook group for your community.
If you do create a group, make a point to be super vigilant about the spread of misinformation. We know how ugly apps like NextDoor can get, and, on Thursday, a misleading and incorrect "informative" text whipped through New York City group chats very quickly. Stay on top of the chat—and ask for others' help—to ensure that people aren’t disseminating or spiraling over misinformation or conspiracy theories, and ask that everyone in the group try their best to credibly confirm what they're sharing before dropping the latest rumor into a group of anxious, vulnerable people. (Every group is a group of anxious, vulnerable people right now.) You could even add, “Please confirm the source of anything you post here,” in the group’s guidelines.
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Ask your neighbors what they, personally, are most worried about, and tailor your help accordingly.
Ask people who live alone if they would like you to check in on them daily and if they want to give you their emergency contacts' info.
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What people might need most right now is someone to talk to, so be available to listen when you can.
While social distance is good and important in order to protect our individual and collective health, some experts are worried about the impact that prolonged time alone will have on people’s mental and physical health. As a recent Vox article about a potential “social recession” pointed out: “Local clubs, religious services, and time with family bring social structure and joy to many of our lives, but they are particularly important touchpoints for those who don’t work or can’t go out on their own due to age or health conditions. If older and sick people have to refrain from these activities for months on end, their lives will be worse, and the rhythms and relationships that once sustained them may prove hard to rebuild.”Does that mean you shouldn’t hunker down for the sake of public health? Absolutely not. It does mean that you should make a point to be a friend to your neighbors in the coming days and weeks, especially those who live alone (even if they are on the younger side—Millennials get lonely and depressed too!). Embrace the phone call, set up a regular Google Hangout, and make a habit of sending a daily “How is everyone doing today?” message to your neighborhood group chat.
If you’re fairly tech-savvy, offer unique assistance to people who aren’t.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, say so… but aim to do so in a way that avoids panic.
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