Most days, work keeps me so busy that I don’t have time to stop and ponder what is happening. I’ve limited my news consumption to a few minutes in the morning and at the end of the work day. But sometimes, when I stop moving for too long, I feel powerless in all of this.

Here are some things I am doing to feel more useful in hopes that they help you too:

1. Sign up to donate blood. Blood drives all over the country have been cancelled due to COVID-19 and this has led to critical needs. Head to the Red Cross websiteand book and appointment at your local center. It’ll get you out of the house AND help save a life.
2. Sew masks. I didn’t start sewing when the call went out. I thought, “they can’t possibly need these, really” but when I got a call from my aunt on behalf of my cousin (a nurse) I started sewing within minutes. If you don’t have a machine, see if one of your friends does. You can team up and cut fabric/ribbon/elastic for them and then leave it on their doorstep. Speaking from experience, having pieces already cut makes everything go MUCH faster! Check out https://www.weneedmasks.org/ for tutorials and a list of places that have requested masks.
3. Donate to local aid efforts. Maybe you’d like to focus on medical professionals? Maybe you’d like to focus on local businesses? Whatever it is, there is someone in your area who needs help.
4. Only spend money at (non-essential) retailers who are paying their workers and letting them stay home. I’ve been appalled at some of the practices from retailers who are forcing their staff to go in, aren’t allowing them masks, laying people off without severance when they are able to pay or are otherwise being really crappy. I’m taking note of the big retailers who are being inhumane and vowing to never shop with them again. Some great news stories – Ralph Lauren, Delta, .