April 2020. Here we are in the midst of a global pandemic. We're all finally starting to recognize that reality. What now??? This disaster has a very unusual time signature. It is both fast and slow. On the one hand, it has been unrolling slowly across the world since the end of last year and even now we watch it descend on other parts of the country as we wait. On the other hand, the shut down of the economy has been rapid and punishing. So now here we are hunkered down in our homes waiting to see whether our social distancing and hygiene measures will be enough to stave off the worst in our area and meanwhile already experiencing almost unimaginably dire financial consequences. It is a sacrifice for everyone, but it's a burden some can weather while others will need help.

Those who are waiting without the most serious impacts are also wondering what they can and should be doing to help.

Here's a partial list, ranging from the serious to the whimsical, arbitrarily and abruptly ended at ten:

1) Flatten the Curve! Observe the Stay at Home order. Enact social distancing and hygiene guidelines.

2) Sign up to help in our area through the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way. As of yet, this is largely a reserve force, but it stands at the ready.

3) Help get word out about how people in need of assistance should contact 211. Let people know they can dial 211 or visit nepa211.org. Calling is gets you access not just to lists of resources but also to a trained service provider that can help you figure out which are the best avenues for you to pursue. There are many in need of assistance now who have never been in that position before. Sharing this information is itself a valuable move.

4) Reach out to people who are not in your immediate circle of friends and family to check up on them. Reinforce the community net and keep people from falling through any gaps. Check with people you have more tenuous links to, too.

5) Sign up to give blood. Regular drives are down and demand continues.

6) Make masks. Calling all makers, whether you can sew or do 3D printing... See maskfacts.org for lots of details and reasoning. No official PPE should be diverted from the healthcare community. And having or wearing a mask must NOT result in relaxing your commitment to social distancing and hygiene! That would be counterproductive.

7) Help with the local "Bear Hunt." Put stuffed animals in your windows and/or on your stoop or porch to help liven things up for kids "going on a bear hunt" during their family walks.

8) Nonpartisan federal Call-to-Action. Call your senators and representative at the federal level to request a national logistics plan and expanded testing. Everyone is trying both to survive and to plan for whatever comes next. No business, household, non-profit organization, or community/municipality, large or small, can do that without knowing we are attacking this with an eye both to the urgencies of each unfolding moment and to the long term impacts and how we will be able to pick up the pieces on the other side. We are doing our part; we need this federal assist.

9) Whistle or work while you walk. During the Stay at Home order, we are still encouraged to get outside to get some fresh air and exercise. In your outdoor time, help out by picking up trash. If you need suggestions of where to find a trove, just ask. All our regular cleanups are cancelled and postponed, but the litter is still lying there, pandemic or no.

10) Be sure to take time to yourself as needed. We all need to hold it together in this stressful time. Do yourself a favor in order to make that possible. Sit quietly by the river; rest up; go for a run; do a bit of bird watching...

Let us know what you need, what you want to hear, and what you're thinking about. news@LewisburgNeighborhoods.org 570-523-0114 or in the comments or by messenger here in facebook.