In Cowichan, let’s all support each other

This article is from The Discourse’s Cowichan Valley newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox.

Be kind to each other.

Last week, I asked you not to panic, but to be careful. That advice still stands. But today I’m also asking you to also look out for one another.

The situation on Vancouver Island looks quite different than just a few days ago. B.C. declared a public health emergency. Schools, bars, libraries and community centres have shut down. Now, there are at least 12 confirmed cases of COVID 19, and that number is sure to grow. We have to assume that people in our community are now carrying the virus without knowing it. And we must each do everything we can to limit the spread.

We will need to lean on each other to get through this. I’ve already seen so much reason for hope. Cowichan Valley small businesses are adapting their services to reach people who are isolated. Zumba classes are moving online. New neighbourhood support groups are popping up to connect people who need support with those who can offer it. 

At The Discourse Cowichan, we’re thinking hard about how we can continue to serve this community’s information needs and keep us connected to each other. And I’d love your feedback.

• What questions do you have that haven’t been answered? 
• How is your business responding to the crisis?
• How is your community coming together to support one another in a time of need?
• Who locally is planning public online events, like teleconferences, videoconferences, live-streamed classes and performances, etc.? I’d love to highlight some of them in lieu of my regular events listings in Cowichan This Week. 
• What else? How can I serve you better, right now?

Send me an email with your thoughts. As always, I’m glad to hear from you.

The word as of Monday is that everyone who can stay home, should. I’ll be taking that advice. For the foreseeable future, I’ll conduct meetings and interviews by phone or video call. I’ll also be taking Prime Minister Trudeau’s advice to reach out, to call my family and friends, particularly those who are vulnerable or otherwise need a little extra support at this moment. 

Thanks for reading,

Jacqueline

P.S. This will come as no surprise, but the Public Newsroom event scheduled for March 21 is not happening as planned. Stay tuned for an announcement of an online gathering in its stead. [end]