Free Resources for Coronavirus Response + What Does This Mean for Climate Justice?

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, we’re focusing this month’s WaterMark on mutual aid. Below you’ll find a list of resources to aid employers, workers, freelancers, artists, and educators in preparing and responding to COVID-19. 

But first… deep breath!

Disasters — whether it’s a hurricane, a high river, or a public health crisis — can be scary and overwhelming. Consider starting by reading these 5 Tips To Help Regain Your Calm during a “Pandemic Panic.”

SAMPLE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PLAN

This organizational plan was graciously shared by a nonprofit colleague and can be edited and adapted for anyone’s use — no “credit” necessary. Here’s a preview:

Overview:  The following draft plan captures proposed preparations [org] will make in the event of accelerated spread of the coronavirus and/or significant disruption to daily lives.

Objective:  To keep [org]’s staff healthy and safe, mitigate fear about possible negative consequences should employees make choices in favor of their health and safety, and ensure that [org] can continue to advance our work in the event of significant disruption to daily lives.

CANCELLING EVENTS AND MEETINGS

• Risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings during COVID-19 
• Podcast from Healing Justice: Should We Cancel? (15 min)
• Principles for Ethical Cancellation
• How to communicate about cancelling your event
• Sample cancellation announcement for website / social media
• Sample cancellation email for event sponsors
• Sample cancellation email for guests or attendees
• Sample cancellation email for volunteers
• Sample “out of office” voicemail: “Due to the current situation with COVID-19 (and out of an abundance of caution), all of our offices have moved to a remote model. This may cause a longer than normal response time to your message. Please know your message is important and it will be returned as soon as possible. For emergencies, call XXX-XXX-XXXX or email person@place.org.”

GENERAL REMOTE WORK RESOURCES

• HOST EVENTS ONLINE: Zoom is a widely used online meeting platform (think Skype or FaceTime but with more functionality). In response to COVID-19, they’ve added features to their Free account to make it easier for folks to stay home right now. Features include screen sharing, clear audio and HD video, breakout rooms, private chats, and group chats for up to 100 participants.
• WORK COLLABORATIVELY ONLINE: Google Suite is another way to host smaller virtual meetings, along with creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations together through the internet. It’s free for educational institutions and nonprofits.
• STAY IN TOUCH: Slack has a free plan, is quick to set up, and can help keep you connected through its chat program. It offers the ability to create several “rooms” for different teams, host small video chats with your team, and have private conversations. It can also be integrated with many other programs.

FOR NONPROFITS & PHILANTHROPY

• 8 Steps for Successful Fundraising During Coronavirus
• “What am I supposed to do about my fundraising event?”
• Preparing your fundraising event for a public health crisis
• TechSoup offers deep discounts to nonprofits on software, along with a refurbished hardware program if you need more computers/equipment. Must have 501c3 status.
• Webinar (March 19 @ 1pm): Crowdfunding options for filling revenue gaps: Fundraising options in case Spring/Summer Galas or Live Events get cancelled
• How to support your grantees with rapid response funding: A real time example from Springboard for the Arts
• 6 Steps for Grant Makers to Take Now to Ensure Nonprofits Recover From Coronavirus Spread

FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

• SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Business Survival Handbook from Imagine Water Works: Protecting your employees, key tasks, finances, and equipment in times of disaster. This free guide includes worksheets and checklists.

FOR FREELANCERS AND ARTISTS

• List of worker advocacy resources, emergency funding sources, remote job opportunities, and other “generalized wisdom” created by a group of independent artists and freelancers for their peers

FOR EDUCATORS & STUDENTS

• A long list of free resources for teachers and students
• Online instruction ideas for educators
• Facebook Support Group for Online Educators: “This group is for international educators who are on prolonged online learning due to school closures for COV19. It is hoped this will be a short term community support group for the next few weeks.”
• Various U-Haul locations are offering a free month of self storage for college students who have had to leave their dorms. Individuals must call their local store to verify participation.

IN THE NEWS: COVID-19, CLIMATE, AND JUSTICE

• What would happen if the world reacted to climate change like it’s reacting to the coronavirus? What would a fast, coordinated, collective response to climate change look like?
• What Coronavirus Teaches us about Climate Change
• Coronavirus Response Shows the World May Not Be Ready for Climate-Induced Pandemics
• Coronavirus’s unexpected environmental effect: Driving down carbon emissions
• Special Edition: Five lessons pandemics can teach us about criminal justice reform
• Coronavirus is no excuse for anti-Asian racism
• Amid coronavirus spread, health advocates worry Trump Administration’s immigration policies put public at risk
• A Case Study on the Importance of Mutual Aid In Times of Disaster: Middlebury students organize mutual aid effort after campus closure
• With Coronavirus, ‘Health Care for Some’ Is a Recipe for Disaster
• The coronavirus exposes our health care system’s weaknesses. We can be stronger.

WAS THIS USEFUL?
CAN YOU DONATE $5 TO SUPPORT OUR WORK TODAY?
Contribute through Venmo (@imaginewaterworks) or Donorbox.

And lastly, a few notes from our team:

1. We’re in this together. Remember to check on your neighbors, especially those who are more vulnerable at this time.
2. Some disaster prep is universal… and in New Orleans, we’re no stranger to prepping. Worried about drinking water? Don’t forget that you already know how to handle a boil water alert! Worried about isolation and getting stuck inside for an extended period of time? Remember that, if you’ve prepped for a hurricane before, you may already know how to gather food and other necessities.
3. You’ve got this, and we’ve got each other!

In Solidarity,
Klie & The Imagine Water Works Team