For many of us, life has changed in ways we never realized would be possible and we may find ourselves scrambling for answers and trying to adjust our lifestyles to the new normal in a way that can be mentally-challenging and even frustrating. The most important thing is not to panic. Nothing is ever solved when your mind is in a state of panic or confusion. The clarity of mind is what will enable wise decisions to be made.

So if the words ‘social distancing’ are being thrown around you daily, let me remind you that

Social distancing = Physical Distance + Social Solidarity

In other words we are all in this together.

Here are a few things that we can do to help us get through these times:

LISTEN to the experts

 

 

The World Health Organization has a dedicated COVID-19 page which provides detailed up-to-date information on the global pandemic. You can also have information delivered to you by WhatsApp if you send the word “hi” to +41 79 893 18 92

 

 

In addition, it is important that you arm yourselves with fact over fiction. UNICEF’s COVID-19 online quiz is designed to reduce misinformation about the virus.

 

---

 

BE PRODUCTIVE

If you are a parent with very young children, you can take them on a tour of a virtual museum or have them watch one of the educational shows that are streaming on Netflix. Parents of children of any age, this is the time to maybe share some family lore, or pass on some skills to them whether it is that family recipe or how to change a tire. Together we can make positive outcomes out of this.

Asaf Bitton who is the executive director of Ariadne Labs in Boston, MA writes a brilliant article in Medium which puts it all in perspective.

 

 

---

PRAY

Send special prayers for healing for our world and most especially for the people who are at the front lines of the pandemic and making life happen for the rest of us: from the truck drivers who are moving food and other supplies across various countries around the world to grocery store workers and essential service providers who continue to serve in their communities and most particularly for the healthcare providers who are looking after the sick at the risk to their own personal health.

---

HELP OUT

Check on your neighbors, especially the more vulnerable in your community.

I imagine all the closures and cancellations give people a sense of ominousness. But it’s really an amazing act of social solidarity: We’re sacrificing so we can give nurses, doctors and hospitals a fighting chance. Start from there and hopefully we can figure out the rest.

— Matt Pearce 🦅 (@mattdpearce) March 12, 2020

Support small businesses in any way that you can. For some local restaurants, this will be a difficult time for them to bounce back from, consider purchasing a gift card to help out. Rally for Restaurants is one way you can make this happen

To everyone who can afford it after stocking up on necessities: please do your birthday and Christmas shopping now: buy gift cards to small businesses, local restaurants, and boutique lodging because this is a sink or swim moment for them. #Covid_19 #CoronaOutbreak #SmallBusiness

— emma bates (@emmasophiabates) March 13, 2020

Help to feed students who depend on school lunches which they cannot have now that most schools are closed. Teachers in Arlington County, VA have created a fundraiser to address this.

Donate to your local Food Bank.  Several food banks are putting their resources to good use to address the needs that have come up in the wake of COVID-19, we can work with them to make sure that these resources do not get depleted. Feed America is one of the organizations that helps you to search for food banks in your community so you can make a direct impact. In addition, if you had an event that has been canceled because of COVID-19 and you already ordered food for this, consider donating this to Nourish Now which coordinates a food recovery program.

---

Remember to remain positive, even in times of uncertainty. This. Too. Shall. Pass.