A bee flying over purple thistle flowers “Organize for a better future” | Ricardo Levins Morales

Part 4

All of us are struggling with the new reality of life with COVID-19.

Here is the next post in our series of tips. We’re glad you’re taking care of yourself and our community of human and non-human animals during this uncertain time!

1. Take care of basic needs and what you can control 
   • Take care of yourself! Try to keep up your regular hygiene routine and change out of pajamas at the start of each day.
   • Find ways to continue practicing compassion for yourself and others. Our online events, and other ideas below, may help.
2. Stay physically active
   • Have a dance party in your living space! Pick out some music to dance to and move however feels right to you—fast, slow, or somewhere in between.
3. Maintain community
   • Be ready to help with meals for those who get sick.
   • If you can, pick up an extra bag of non-perishable food items like canned beans, canned tomatoes, dried or canned vegetables, and rice to share with your local food shelf (many co-ops in the Twin Cities have a collection area set up near their community counter) or donate funds directly to a food shelf including Sisters Camelot, The Food Group MN, and Second Harvest Heartland.
4. Cook good food
   • Good nutrition supports good health. Eat the rainbow using Ginny Messina’s plant plate. 
5. Pursue hobbies. Here is one of Tamuno’s.
   • Since the shelter in place order, hobbies are more and more relevant as an outlet. I have picked up painting. Rummaging through the garage I found some stashed canvases. This hobby has allowed not only me but my two children both under the age of 5 to engage. We have noticed due to current circumstances many families are walking more with their kids in and around the neighborhood. We paint phrases and pictures in the front window to help other families on walks and engage their children in adventure while practicing social distancing.
6. Remember the animals
   • Connect with local animal sanctuaries and see what they need. Many have wishlists set up or welcome donations (money or supplies).

Let’s think about how we can do everything in our power to benefit the well-being of all animals, human and non-human, as we move through this crisis.

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Emergency resources (for quick reference from Part 1):

• If you feel sick, follow these guidelines if you think you might have the virus. Also, know that Minnesota is waiving costs for treatment and testing for the virus for folks who are uninsured.
• If you’re not working due to the virus, apply for unemployment. Minnesota is making it easier to get unemployment payments for those not working due to the virus.
• Need food? Sisters Camelot and Second Harvest Heartland are good places to check out. Soup for You will continue to provide free to-go lunches, and regularly has vegan options.