#COVID19 Placing people in the center

April 9, 2020

INSPIRIT® Creatives UG NGO stands in Solidarity with Indigenous People

April 15, 2020

#COVID19 – The Unforgettable Easter

April 12, 2020

“When no one got to spend money on traveling”

© Tatum Luntang-Jensen, Fashion design student

World Health Communication Associates (WHCA) & INSPIRIT Creatives UG NGO,
MediaWise and MediaFocusUK

Strengthening connections
while keeping distance

News You Can Use

We are all vulnerable to this virus. This is a unique time for our communities all over the world as we work to combat this massive global threat. This blog aims to collect and share your stories and reflections that can help others to cope, thrive and build resilience…

Our communities are at different stages of response in different parts of the world. We can learn a lot from each other. Building on World Health Organization and other evidence-based guidance, this blog will gather and disseminate stories that inform, inspire and hopefully strengthen social connectiveness while we all practice physical distancing.

We invite you to contribute. At present we are looking for stories in the following areas:

May the force be with all of us.

Sabrina, Mike, Steve, Tuuli and Franklin for the Connecting Communities team

BLOG: https://www.inspiritcreatives.com/coronavirus-connecting-communities
Email: cccov19@gmail.com
See: https://www.whcaonline.org | https://www.inspiritcreatives.com/humanity
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12385075/ | Twitter: @connecting_comm
Newsletter: https://www.cccovid19.org

Disclaimer – We try to include stories that respect World Health Organisation COVID19 guidance. Links take you to full published stories. Our Connecting Communities team screens and selects stories but can not guarantee accuracy of reporting and mentions of any products does not indicate endorsement.

Isolation tips – what are you doing to make this a healthier, less stressful and more positive time?

Venice in isolation (Adriano Todesco)

Corona-virus.
Corona, oddly enough, in Italian means something majestic: a crown.
In my imaginary, crowns have always been associated with something special, goldish, maybe with lots of gems, diamonds of every carat and shape.
Whenever I happen to see a crown, I always find its vision mesmerizing, wondering how it feels to wear it, in glittering contexts of royal banquettes.

The ‘crown’ virus is in these days the king of the world, having conquered it all.
It is not even a temporary victory, we know that.
The battle, though, is shaking the world.
In a matter of days, everything changed.
We are all forced to live moments, days, weeks, months in isolation.

Not physical walls were built, yet we are all confined in our small realities.
Some lucky ones united.
Some less lucky separated temporarily or permanently by their beloved ones, not even able to give a proper farewell.

There was a pre-covid era.
Now in the covid time, we will need to heal the consequences of the battle on all possible fronts.
It will take time, but we will recover.

In the darkness, though, I can see the gems of the crown giving their sparkles.
There must be a meaning for all of this.
I see many.
The sound of silence.
The blue, unpolluted sky.
Unprecedented solidarity.
The sound of bells, earlier covered by noisy and distracted crowds.
Appreciating a coffee served in a proper cup, rather than on a disposable one.
The importance of a hug, in its absence.
The voice of nature.
The power of technology.

I wish you a moment of calm, during these Easter Festivity, to think of your own list of positive “discoveries”.

And when you have another moment of calm, please watch this video, with pictures of Venice of a friend of mine (Adriano Todesco).
https://youtu.be/GBcOHUoWpt4

Venice, the city where the impossible was made possible.
CROWN19: not even you will ever take its beauty away.

Yours,

Francesco

Diary from Isolation (Anonymous, USA)

Half of us are going to come out of this quarantine as amazing cooks. The other half will come out with a drinking problem.
I used to spin that toilet paper like I was on Wheel of Fortune. Now I turn it like I’m cracking a safe.
I need to practice social-distancing from the refrigerator.
Still haven’t decided where to go for Easter —– The Living Room or The Bedroom
PSA: every few days try your jeans on just to make sure they fit. Pajamas will have you believe all is well in the kingdom.
Homeschooling is going well. 2 students suspended for fighting and 1 teacher fired for drinking on the job.
I don’t think anyone expected that when we changed the clocks we’d go from Standard Time to the Twilight Zone
This morning I saw a neighbor talking to her cat. It was obvious she thought her cat understood her. I came into my house, told my dog….. we laughed a lot.
So, after this quarantine…..will the producers of My 600 Pound Life just find me or do I find them?
Went to this restaurant called THE KITCHEN. You have to gather all the ingredients and make your own meal. I have no clue how this place is still in business.
My body has absorbed so much soap and disinfectant lately that when I pee it cleans the toilet.
Day 5 of Homeschooling: One of these little monsters called in a bomb threat.
I’m so excited — it’s time to take out the garbage. What should I wear?
I hope the weather is good tomorrow for my trip to Puerto Backyarda. I’m getting tired of Los Livingroom.
Classified Ad: Single man with toilet paper seeks woman with hand sanitizer for good clean fun.
Day 6 of Homeschooling: My child just said “I hope I don’t have the same teacher next year”…. I’m offended.
Better 6 feet apart than 6 feet under!

Social distancing works. We are all #InThisTogetherOhio. https://t.co/jU4ZAkm3Py pic.twitter.com/uKJtfi4cuP
— Ohio Dept of Health (@OHdeptofhealth) April 9, 2020

Hygiene behavior helpers– what are you doing to keep you and your family safe from Corona infection?

Hospital in Thailand Gives Newborn Babies Tiny Face Shields as Protection From Coronavirus

https://time.com/5819527/babies-face-masks-thailand/

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) guidance on supplementary use of face masks ( ECDC, Europe)

Using face masks in the community – Reducing COVID-19 transmission from potentially asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic people through the use of face masks
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/using-face-masks-community-reducing-covid-19-transmission

https://www.webmd.com/lung/qa/how-long-can-covid19-live-on-surfaces

Info to share ( Boston, USA)

The following is from Irene Ken physician, whose daughter is an Asst. Prof in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University, quite informative.

* The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code. (mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.

* Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.

* The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam).

By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.

* HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 77 degrees Fahrenheit for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.

* Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.

* Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside.

* Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.

* NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.

* NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only

between 3 hours (fabric and porous),
4 hours (copper and wood)
24 hours (cardboard),
42 hours (metal) and
72 hours (plastic).

But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.

* The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars.

They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.

* UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.

* The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.

* Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.

* NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%.

* LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol.

* The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.

* You have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.

* You have to Moisturize dry hands from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.

* Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.

– JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL

Please find attached the presentation that our Expert Ana Paula Coutinho gave yesterday.

The WebEx recording can be accessed through this link:

https://who-euro.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/who-euro/recording/38b0bd2ab77b4ac896fcff774e71014b

Community actions – what are you and your neighbours doing to help each other?

ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY: Hallelujah Chorus in Isolation (UK)

Sikh temple offers to cook up to 500 free meals daily for vulnerable families

Volunteers at Sikh Gurdwara in Dublin say they have capacity to cook hundreds of meals

Gurjit Singh, Ravinder Singh Oberoi, Head Priest, Jasbir Singh, Gurbir Singh Chadha, Arminder Singh and Simerjote Singh Chadha all Members of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh community in Dublin with some of their food ready for delivery around the city. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/ The Irish Times

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/sikh-temple-offers-to-cook-up-to-500-free-meals-daily-for-vulnerable-families-1.4226387

Working remotely – how are you making new work realities productive?

Top 7 Digital Tools for Working Remotely During COVID-19

Are you looking for the best digital tools for working remotely from home? We got the tools you need to work efficiently and be productive!

https://www.business2community.com/business-innovation/top-7-digital-tools-for-working-remotely-during-covid-19-02300142

Virtual classrooms

Easter 2020 activities for your kids during coronavirus isolation ( Australia)

One Facebook page and website, Socially, has got creative launching Australia’s Biggest Virtual Easter Celebration from Good Friday. Socially, established just two and a half weeks ago in response to COVID-19, aims to prevent the effects of social isolation and remote work by running and promoting virtual events. The site is staging two children’s events during the Easter weekend – Most Popular Easter Craft and Most Popular Best Dressed Pet. Children are asked to post pictures of their handiwork and much-loved pet.

Public Policies

Ramah Navajo Community Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource Site.
https://ramahnavajo.org/covid19/

Navajo Nation President, Vice President self-quarantine after possible COVID-19 exposure

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/navajo-nation-president-vice-president-self-quarantine-after-possible-covid-19-exposure/ar-BB12oDKB

Navajo Nation and Arizona’s Rural North Bear the Brunt of Its COVID-19 Deaths

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/navajo-nation-azs-rural-north-bear-the-brunt-of-covid-19-deaths-11463856

Native Americans were promised $40 million to fight the coronavirus, but members of the Navajo Nation are afraid it’s too little, too late

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/world/native-americans-were-promised-dollar40-million-to-fight-the-coronavirus-but-members-of-the-navajo-nation-are-afraid-its-too-little-too-late/ar-BB12oK7o

Navajo Nation sets curfew, urging Navajo people to stay home as COVID-19 cases pass 100

https://eu.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2020/03/29/navajo-nation-sets-curfew-identified-coronavirus-cases-pass-100/2936636001/

Notah Begay: Navajo community ‘decimated’ by COVID-19 crisis

https://www.golfchannel.com/news/notah-begay-iii-navajo-community-decimated-covid-19-crisis

https://twitter.com/un4indigenous/status/1248717136316575744?s=21

Conferenza stampa del Presidente Conte
10 Aprile 2020

Il Presidente del Consiglio, Giuseppe Conte, questa sera ha annunciato di aver firmato il nuovo dpcm con cui vengono prorogate fino al 3 maggio le misure restrittive sin qui adottate per il contenimento dell’emergenza epidemiologica da Covid-19.

http://www.governo.it/it/articolo/conferenza-stampa-del-presidente-conte/14450

Ireland versus UK- a critique with queries (Ireland )

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1249127908876128259.html

Maintaining essential services

Local pub turned food delivery group- Easter email( UK)

—–Original Message—–
From: Work
Sent: 10 April 2020 13:40
To: xxxxxx
Subject: BBQ items

Hello and happy Easter to you all. Just a quick note to let you know that we have quite a few bbq meat items that we have been asked to get in for the weekend from many of you and have ordered a little bit extra this morning in case anyone was looking to top your fridge. We have fresh sirloin steaks 7-8oz at £4.25 each, pork loin steaks 2 x 5oz packs at £2.75 each, and chicken drumsticks with a Piri Piri or BBQ glaze at £3.50 for a pack of 5. We have a few packs of corn on the cob, vac packed and pre cooked ready to pop straight on the bbq at £1.95 for 2.

As well as this we also have stock on our main list of burgers, sausages, chicken breasts (we have our Cajun seasoning for these if you wanted to spice it up!) As well as buns and baguettes. Ketchup, salad cream, mayonnaise, salad things and so on.

Many of you have already had orders this week but if you needed any bits and bobs then we will be delivering up until Saturday. We promised the kids that we would have Sunday and Monday off which on a normal Easter weekend would be unheard of.

We wish you all a great Easter albeit in unusually strange times and hope you stay safe and well.

xxxxx. 🐣