Social Distancing is an Act of Love
Everything coronavirus.
[Welcome back to the new and improved WELLREAD! We have adapted and streamlined our content to reflect YOUR feedback and requests. Thank you to this brilliant community of activists and change-makers for helping us level up and make an impact. Enjoy!]
America is sick.
Our collective response to the coronavirus pandemic has revealed the ways in which we, as a society, are not just infected by germs, but by ideologies of individualism, ageism, classism, ableism, racism and more. Fear only breeds more sickness and the illusion of separation.
If nothing else, this contagion is reminding us of our interdependence. That, as Dr King wrote, “we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly”.
We are in this together. Let’s look out for each other. Let’s fight for the most vulnerable. And let’s keep our distance even while acknowledging our proximity.
“Social distancing is an act of love. We have to slow the transmission chain.” - Marian Urquilla
Kerri (she/her)
Who can avoid crowded subways? Who can work from home? Who can stock up on wellness herbs? Here’s how the coronavirus is exposing inequality among American workers. [click to tweet]
Is it sexism or is it all in our heads? Everything we learned (and refused to learn) from Elizabeth Warren. [click to tweet]
What would happen if the world reacted to climate change the way that it is reacting to the coronavirus? This is proof that governments can act and people can change their behavior in a short amount of time. So let’s. [click to tweet]
23 years. Thank you to all the #SilenceBreakers who fought for justice and won. Harvey Weinstein’s legacy will always be that he’s a convicted rapist. [click to tweet]
With a white (old) man most certain to be the nominee, diversity is more vital than ever. We want a woman on the ticket. [click to tweet]
WASH YOUR HANDS: No, seriously. This, too, is activism. Here’s how to do it properly and according to science.
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE: Our best weapon for curbing the spread of coronavirus is social distancing, so slow down, stay home and mind yourself.
PREPAREDNESS: Prevention is not the same as panic. Here’s a community resource for getting educated and prepared.
VOTE: This is a good time to reflect on which candidates support universal health care, paid sick leave and other social safety net measures that will protect and care for people during this crisis. Register to vote.
The cancelling/rescheduling of big events due to COVID-19 is not an overreaction. It’s about ordinary people taking responsibility for reducing harm collectively. This, in the face of a government that doesn't believe in science, is undermining prevention, testing and reporting, is devastating social programs, and cannot be trusted to not violate the rights of the most vulnerable. And it’s an equity issue. The elderly and people with preexisting conditions are more vulnerable, folks who are unhoused or don’t have the privilege of working from home run the risk of being exposed, and those with least access to resources are going to be hurt the most. Not to mention, Trump’s completely inadequate and authoritarian response renders our government useless, which means it is up to us to curb this virus. Social justice in a time of social distancing is doing our part to slow the spread, reduce harm and care for each other. Here’s how cancelations events and self-quarantines save lives in one chart.
237 days until the 2020 election. Last night, Joe Biden dominated ID, MI, MO and MS, picking up more delegates for a total of 860. Despite a disappointing turnout for Sanders (now at 710), he has made it clear he is staying in the fight to advance the progressive agenda that a majority of Americans need and want (ie: Medicare for All). While Sanders might be winning the ideological debate on issues, Biden is winning the debate over electability. Yet both are needed to unite the left and put forth a platform for change that represents the will of the people. Next up: Debate between Sanders and Biden on Sunday followed by another round of state primaries in AZ, FL, IL, OH. But the presidential election is not the only thing that matters. The Senate GOP just blocked an emergency paid sick leave bill during a health crisis which is an incredible new low. Here’s how we can win back the four seats needed to take back our legislature. We’ll be breaking it down on our monthly meet up TOMORROW, March 12th at 630p EST. Join here.
Don’t lose yourself in the hysteria, but please be mindful that not everyone has the ability to fight this. Take care of each other. Wash your hands. Artwork by @hatiwgphilly @womensmarch
Yes to this. I appreciate the focus on the here-and-now, and our commitments to each other. If it's of interest, I took a look at the bigger picture, and how coronavirus interacts with the fragility of our intersecting crises: https://citizenstout.substack.com/p/coronavirus-and-the-choice-we-now