News & Current Events

The desire to help our friends and neighbors is engrained in our culture, but how can we do this in a safe way now that we have the shelter in place mandate? Do you work for a medical office that has been temporarily closed down? Does your school Biology lab have unopened supplies? Maybe you have some protective gear still in packages in your shed from the BR flood? This is what we need to know if we want to donate supplies/PPE (personal protective equipment) to our local hospitals at this time! Our hospitals' main needs are: Surgical Masks N95 Masks Face Masks Face Shields Goggles Isolation Gowns/Shoe Covers Hand Sanitizer Bleach Wipes Germicidal Wipes Nitrile Gloves D Cell Batteries for ventilators These...

We are a generation of people who like to live in the known. We are a spoiled generation that doesn't have to worry or wonder where our next meal will come from, we don't have to worry or wonder where we will go if we get sick, even if we lose our jobs we don't have to worry or wonder if the government will swoop in and provide assistance to pay our bills and feed our families until we are back on our feet. Until now. Until Covid-19 made everything uncertain. Fear has made us unable to make rational decisions. Fear has clouded our once educated judgment. Fear has paralyzed our ability to process the facts from the experts. Fear of not...

Uncertain Times I see the apprehension as I step into your room. You aren't familiar with seeing me this way, with so many layers of protection donned between us. Your eyes possess a fear that I am not accustomed to either. "How many are there like us?" she asks, clinging to her coughing child. "You aren't alone, mama," I say in my own attempt to comfort her. I can see her holding her breath when she inquires, "Anything back yet?" and after refreshing the results tab once more, "nothing yet" is all I can offer her. The television in every room blares with breaking headlines. Even those patients not awaiting a test result verdict seem on edge. "Why won't they let...

"I gave all my germs to you!" he proudly exclaimed. He'll be celebrating his fifth birthday in just a few days- during #quarantine2020. This was his way of fixing the problem I guess. A boy after his mama's own heart- find a problem, find a solution. We hadn't really said a whole lot about Covid-19 in front of him. Beyond extra hand washing and skipping his Pre-K4 class, life was pretty normal for him (or I was at least trying my best). But his proclamation of where he sent his germs had my mama brain reeling. He gave his germs to Mama because Mamas can fix everythinggg. Except when we can't. Day 6 of "social distancing" had me realizing I was paralyzed...

With all that’s happening, it’s more important now than ever to invest in our community. While our world has been, up to this point, selfish and isolated--judging people for simply asking for help when they can’t do it all has to change. We have to offer up help any way we can. Here are a few ways you can continue to support your neighbors in this time of social distancing and self-quarantine. Check-In Check-in on neighbors, family members, and friends via phone if you are not comfortable with seeing anyone in person. Get past the niceties and weather chat and have conversations about how that person is truly handling this. Some are okay with social distancing, but others may feel down...