The lack of leadership by our federal government is staggering. As thousands of people are getting sick and hundreds dying, watching the daily dose of corruption and criminal ineptitude by our government is depressing. In the void, states and cities are trying desperately to fill the gap and communities are finding creative ways to do what needs to be done with little to no help. Inspiring on the one hand, but on the other hand, it is a stunning descent into structural chaos the likes of which I never imagined the United States would exerience. Yet it is not unfamiliar. Having worked as an international development specialist in more than 20 countries, I have seen the ingenuity and efforts of everyday people trying to figure things out work locally in a threadbare patchwork of individual and small group efforts where it was mostly a matter of luck whether you got help or not. This is US now.
Shout out and healing thoughts to our own Georgia State Senator (and DPG Chair) @NikemaWilliams who has tested positive for COVID-19 and is under quarantine at home with her family. Stay strong – hoping for a speedy recovery.
Here are a few small, yet inspiring DIY efforts:
Little Pantries
And many more informal neighborhood efforts to support each other, such as: https://atlsurvival.org/
Retooling for Hand Sanitizer and Face Masks
Maryland Distilleries Using Alcohol To Make Hand Sanitizer, Address Shortage https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2020/03/19/coronavirus-alcohol-hand-sanitizer/
Tito’s Handmade Vodka is doing the same:
NYC designer Christian Siriano will produce masks for coronavirus instead of high fashion cocktail dresses and ‘whimsical’ evening gowns https://www.nydailynews.com/coronavirus/ny-coronavirus-christian-siriano-20200320-2yrwlxylqnalvawovkzcxtwb4a-story.html?
More than 200k views of this Bridal Sewing Techniques youtube.com video on how to make “N95 like” masks: