From The Reclaim: Finding community during coronavirus - because A LOT is happening and we need each other

By Chanda Daniels

Real talk: this is an incredibly difficult time for everyone. There’s high risk of becoming ill, or transmitting the virus to vulnerable populations and losing loved ones. This crisis isn’t just impacting health: people are losing their jobs, homes, normalcy, hope, and all standard coping mechanisms. While the goal isn’t to focus on the challenges, it would be a disservice to not reiterate the importance of working together to overcome this threat. And while there is a lot of uncertainty, there is one thing we all can still have at no cost: a sense of community and hope. 

Although we are physically distant, the need to come together as a community is more important than ever. Things sometimes feel bigger than us, and while this is something like we’ve never seen before, we can always overcome, try to find the positive and help others and ourselves. Our community (which includes you) needs us more than ever, and here’s ways to help.

What you can do for yourself?

It’s difficult to find a sense of normalcy in this time, but checking in with yourself is imperative. It’s important that we can leave this healthy physically and mentally. Here’s some things you can do while you are home:

• Read, read, read! 

  • Do you have that list of books you’ve wanted to check out but didn’t have the time? Crack one open and give your eyes a much needed screen and reality break. Many public libraries offer all-online lending options for members with e-readers (and remember anyone can use the Kindle app!), some neighborhoods have little free libraries, Audible offers a free month trial, and many “classics” are available for free online.

• Be kind to yourself and your body 

  • This situation can stir up negative feelings and self-talk, but try to find things that ground you. Yoga, at home workout classes, guided meditation, or a dance party can get you moving. Also, there are virtual therapy sessions and chats to seek professional help if needed. 

• Check in with yourself

  • Did you never have the time to plan that next move or think about bigger goals? Try planning what professional development, life or personal goal you want to accomplish. For example, learning how to make that bread or getting the certification you need for that raise. But also, if you need rest, then REST. This is all about figuring out what you need, and productivity isn’t the only measure of success. 

What can you do for others in your community? 

This is something that affects us all, and that’s why we need to come together to uplift each other more than ever. The best way you can do that is by helping those in your community. Since we’re based in the 202 - here are some ways to help others in the DMV:

• Send a postcard since you can’t meet IRL

  • Who doesn’t love receiving hand-written notes? The Outrage created an awesome project where they are hiring those who lost their jobs because of COVID-19 to hand write postcards. So head over to The Outrage and support a local business and mail a postcard to someone you’re missing. 

• Support local businesses (especially the small, minority, and women-owned kind)

  • This is going to be a make or break time for many of the businesses we love. If you are financially able, we encourage you to buy products, gift cards, and take out to keep them afloat, and not just once, as often as you can. Here is a list of DC-women owned businesses, so check out your faves and support local. 

• Help those who are the most vulnerable (but safely) 

  • Join this community facebook group where locals post volunteer needs and ask for help. If you can, help those most vulnerable and support your neighbors. 

What you can do at large?

• Stay the F home - we’re not joking

  • Trust that we miss brunch and weekends with friends too, but unless you really need to - please stay home and don’t have friends come over, either. We all need to do our part to flatten the curve of this virus and help the brave people on the frontlines manage this. 

• Donate to groups you care about

  • Support groups such as Feeding America, local food banks, and places helping to produce and supply hospitals with life-saving materials. Everyone is being hit hard in this as well, so think about your favorite nonprofits and organizations whose work will suffer from lowered donations as economic worries increase. 

• Follow and be outspoken on legislation 

  • While Congress just passed a large stimulus package that helps millions of people, there is still more that will need to be done to ensure all Americans are covered and healthy. Keep up with the latest happenings and make your voice heard when you want something done. One great resource? 19th News, which has a twice-weekly newsletter, focusing on women & politics and women & coronavirus.

Social distancing doesn’t mean disconnecting or isolating from your community. There’s tons of ways to still feel involved, and while we’re in a time when staying home is the best we can do, we can still come together to build a foundation to come back to.

Chanda Daniels is a co-founder of The Reclaim and is busy smashing the patriarchy in Washington, D.C. Read more here.