People are feeling very out of control currently, as the world is rapidly changing around them. After Friday’s press conference where the Minnesota governor was talking about how they didn’t plan to close schools, the Minnesota governor announced today (Sunday) that schools will be closed effective Wednesday. But some schools then announced they’d be closed effective Monday, leaving parents less than 24 hours to try to figure out their child care. This is on top of worries about incoming paychecks, and market drops.

When we’re not in control, we get stressed. We already talked about what I’ve been doing to care for my community. What about you, what can you do?

Now is a great time to be connecting (electronically) with loved ones. Call, Skype, Facetime, whatever methods you prefer. Talk to grandparents, grandchildren, all those you love. Those who aren’t working frantically in healthcare or emergency services are probably having more time on our hands, so view it as a gift.

Not everyone lives where delivery services are available, if we’re already going to the store we can volunteer to be a pick-up service for our elderly or infirm who need to limit contact the most.

Similarly, especially if you live rurally where you can just go out your door and you won’t encounter people in close contact, go spend time outside. Hike. My yard is still full of snow, but most people’s aren’t, they can do yard work. Plan your summer garden, think positively about the future.

Catch up on those books you’ve been putting off. Exercise in your own home, most everyone can do yoga and pilates and body weight exercises, it’s good for your strength, your flexibility, and your mind.

The Rochester community is caring for each other – while schools are closing, we’re taking care of food insecurity by planning deliveries of food to those children’s homes and restaurants are opening their doors for kids, and we’re taking care of our emergency and medical services families by providing limited childcare for just them.

In Italy, those living urbanly are doing the March quarantine version of Christmas caroling – they’re singing together from their balconies.

We’re advocating and educating to our friends and family about the importance of social distancing, and how to do it effectively.

We’re doing great things, but they’re a little like diamonds in the rough right now in that they’re being hidden by our big emotions of fear and uncertainty. You have to more deliberately look for them.

What are you doing? Please share.