on Rinse & Repeat Action: Make your own masks at home (TLDR: Two layers of cotton with an inner layer of tight weave polyester—chiffon—or silk. Make sure it fits tight to your face, especially between nose and cheeks. You don’t want to feel air rush out past your eyes when you exhale heavily. You can also… Continue Reading Notes: Week Of 7/06/20
on Methods & Mindfulness Action: Try out mindfulness meditation and find a way (or ways) that work for you to be more aware of yourself and your surroundings. Do some active reflection on your stressors and signs you are feeling stressed, and practice stress management techniques to improve your resiliency in the face of disaster and… Continue Reading Notes: Week Of 6/29/20
on Mind Games & Motivation Action: Consider becoming a climate communicator by checking out a variety of platforms, including Coursera, the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation, and Citizens Climate Lobby. Put in the work and research to shift your own perspective before demanding the same of others. And remember, not everyone has the… Continue Reading Notes: Week of 6/22/20
on Blame & Board Games Action: Look into your state’s own disaster preparedness resources (most have websites, some do not). Look critically, but holistically at issues you see with disaster responses. And, if you have the means, volunteer with or donate to disaster response and preparedness groups, like the Medical Reserve Corps, Community Emergency Response Teams,… Continue Reading Notes: Week Of 6/15/20
on Redlines & Red Tomatoes Action: If you work at a bank, mortgage lender, or for state or local government, look into your policies and practices, and figure out if there are any discrepancies in how you lend or to whom, using resources such as this 2016 paper from City & Community. Volunteer or provide resources… Continue Reading Notes: Week Of 6/08/20
on Income Inequality & Acknowledgment Action: Listen to our podcast series on preparedness to learn more about how you can prepare and help relieve some of the stress on our emergency systems during a disaster. Consider pursuing preparedness and response training like First Aid and CPR. And remember, not everyone has the capacity to plan and… Continue Reading Notes: Week of 5/25/20
on Tabletops & Practice Action: Check out the online courses available through FEMA that could help you feel more prepared. Sign up for a CPR or First Aid course when it is safe to do so, and consider that defensive driving course as well. Sign up to volunteer with a local organization or group such as… Continue Reading Notes: Week Of 5/18/20
on Supply & Support Action: Make your own supply list, and leave space to include new items if you ever experience that particular type of emergency and find there is something you left off. Plan your own supply rotation system to keep things like food, medication, and batteries fresh and usable. Find a local, socially distanced blood drive if you can… Continue Reading Notes: Week Of 5/11/20
on Planning & Escapes Action: Talk to your kids about disasters and emergencies (1, 2, 3). Start a preparedness conversation with the people in your life. Connect with your local emergency management agency. Make a plan – individual, family/household, neighborhood, community, workplace. And remember, not everyone has the capacity to plan and prepared beforehand, so find a local food bank to use or donate to… Continue Reading Notes: Week Of 5/04/20
on Panic & Percentages Action: Find a local food bank to use or donate to depending on your circumstances, and help out our undocumented (1, 2), indigenous (1, 2), and trans friends through mutual aid programs as they face the virus with fewer resources and less government support than they should have to. Follow the CDC guidelines (wash your hands, wear a mask in… Continue Reading Notes: Week of 4/27/20