Covid19-Information and more Ideas for Rotary Clubs

As you know the Covid19 virus is dangerous and causing lots of problems for all of us. Here is some data and information on Covid19.

Data on Corona Virus
Projections of Peaks for Corona virus outbreak
And an article from the Atlantic on the possible futures with Covid19
Atlantic article on How the Pandemic will End (Covid19)

Here is an article and a video on how to use Zoom for Rotary meetings. It includes specific information and advice and a cameo appearance by Jeffry Cadorette.

https://rotaryinternationalblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/coronavirus-response-guide.pdf

Here is an article from National Geographic on the medical aspects of Covid19
National Geographic aricle on medical aspects of Covid19
A quick calculation-We are about 100,000 deaths and an additional 1,000 are dying every day. When you open up the economy the number of cases and deaths will not go down. They may stay the same if you are careful about social distancing and wearing masks. At 1,000 per day by Labor Day there will be 200,000 people dead.

I have heard that there may be problems getting food to people who need it in your communities. The availability to individuals or ability to actually get it may both be a problem. The problems which come up in our current circumstance can be unusual we need to question our assumptions and look for ways to help.

You have a relationship with your Food Bank. Most clubs give money and/or food to the Food Bank throughout the year and particularly at Holiday time. Contact your Food Bank, ask them how things are going and offer to help in ways that incorporate social distancing. Help them now, if they need help. Our District is about to announce a District Managed Grant which will let every one of our clubs provide food and supplies to your local Food Bank/Pantry/ . 

Here are some suggestions.

1. Support of Food Banks(meant in general, some of these are churches, some private, some government all are included) is very important. Most clubs support their Food Bank in the Fall and Liberty Bank matches $.25 on the $ for many clubs.

            a. All clubs are encouraged to donate to their Food Bank

            b. Liberty Bank will be contacted asking if they would do their matching as they do in the Fall. Additional not instead of. 

            c. Rotary Clubs are encouraged to contact local supermarkets and ask if they will donate food to the local Food Bank. Rotary Club to move the food.(see below for one way to do this).

            d. Rotary Clubs are encouraged to provide physical help to their local Food Bank in a safe manner. "Boots on the Ground for Food"

            e. Rotary Clubs are encouraged to contact local Distributors of Food asking for donations to the local Food Bank.(Bozzutos?)

            f. Provide gift cards to the food bank. If you normally shop for the food bank and don't feel comfortable shopping, give some gift cards. Colchester

Video on Rotary First Harvest

2. There is a shortage of blood because it is hard for people to donate. Rotary Clubs will be encouraged to have their members donate blood.

Red Cross Blood Drive

If you discover a need in your town, a way you can provide service in your town let me know so that we can inform all the clubs.

Example of Food Drive action:

Ridgefield Rotary Club on a Saturday sets up a table(s) at their local supermarket(s). They handout shopping lists prepared by their local Food Bank. People go into shopping pick up the shopping list and buy items for the Food Bank. On their way out they drop off bags of groceries for the Food Bank.

Obtain permission from the supermarket. This can be adapted to Covid19 times. Set up the table with signs about what is going on. One person sits in a car with the table visible to her/him. As people go in they are directed to pick up a shopping list. On their way out they deposit a bag  of groceries on the table. Periodically the person in the car puts the bags in the trunk of his car. She/he then drives the car to the Food Bank after her/his shift.

Ridgefield normally does this Saturday morning, and they get a large amount of food donated.