While there is no shortage of media coverage, think pieces, and speculation on the full effects of the spreading virus, COVID-19, many of us still find ourselves unsure of how to plan, rearrange, and reconfigure our schedules and lives. Many of our clients and consultants are gearing up for all-staff retreats, day-long trainings, and strategic planning sessions that center equity, diversity, and inclusion, all in the context of an emerging and increasingly alarming public health crisis. Yet, many of our most committed partners are struggling to find alternatives that don’t require them to shift plans altogether.
The work of equity requires us to slow down in the midst of challenges and crises, and take a bold stand in the interest of safety, first. Safety means many different things, and this is where centering equity becomes increasingly essential.
For some organizations it may be tempting to accommodate staff by offering hybrid virtual meetings where some meet in person while others join online - leaving the responsibility on staff to opt out or opt in. There are a couple of equity considerations in this approach: 1. It runs the risk of compromising the health of staff and literally everyone they come in contact with, including and most especially those most vulnerable among us and, 2. Even if you give staff the opportunity to opt out because of health considerations of themselves or people in their lives you are inadvertently creating separate and unequal experiences for those for whom it is imperative they not attend. When we consider the implications of how ableism intersects with a number of identities impacted by White Supremacy, the burden then falls on those who are most marginalized to opt out.
It is for this reason that TJC is taking a firm stance on canceling and rescheduling all in-person meetings of individuals and groups as well as travel for the month of March (maybe longer). We have taken the measure of directing our own staff to work from home until we know more about the spread of this virus and testing strategies.
In addition to the growing body of information that suggests the most important steps individuals and groups can take is Social Distancing, we have identified the following equity considerations we recommend thinking about at this time:
We must take care of our community, not just ourselves. The latest research has determined that the virus can travel up to six-feet if someone who is infected coughs before falling to the ground. On surfaces it can live for up to 48 hours. Because of its long incubation period, you could be a carrier and spread the virus without exhibiting any symptoms. To err on the side of caution and center the safety of others, we strongly recommend avoiding any public gatherings until more information is known.
People of Color are disproportionately impacted. This may seem obvious, yet it is always worth stating, because we know that people of color make up most of our service and wage labor workforce, which puts them at a particularly high risk unless accommodations are made. Additionally, People of Color already face health and economic challenges in a non-emergency state, this leaves many of us even more vulnerable.
Part of doing equity work means allowing people to protect themselves. We need to protect human life, not capitalism. We choose to recognize that many workers, for the reasons stated above, are already vulnerable to the compounding impacts of being un- or underinsured; limited access to health care; caregiving work and existing exposure to chronically ill, elderly, disabled, and/or otherwise already compromised immune systems; we believe that promoting what is best for community members should take priority over the profitability and convenience of our businesses, corporations, and institutions.
With that said, we wanted to share our strong recommendations on how we can all move forward in community and take the most equitable approach moving forward. Working in equity means understanding there are moments where we must be agile and adapt to what the situation calls for:
We recommend that any large gatherings, retreats, or meetings be postponed at least until the end of March. In the spirit of holding firm to our goals of bringing equity into our spaces, we will continuously respond with the flexibility that our work requires, and recognize that one reschedule may not be enough; that it may be tempting to reschedule too soon. We encourage you to remain open to the possibility that plans may change with any new information at any moment.
Resist the temptation to problem solve with workarounds that undermine the equity work itself. Community, relationship and trust-building and consciousness development necessitates immersive approaches. Now is the time to stay dedicated to best practices and favor doing it right over “sticking to the plan.” We do not suggest transforming in-person learning activities into virtual ones.
Reevaluate your current emergency protocols. Now is the opportunity to examine your emergency protocols with an equity lens by asking yourself: Do we have systems in place to protect our community and ourselves? Do we need to expand the definitions of those “systems?” Is there messaging in place that is informative without spreading panic? Inevitably, this situation will bring up more questions and shine light on the gaps - have an open conversation about them.
Consider how mindful you are about recognizing and adapting to the needs of others beyond emergency situations. Ableism is driving the current conversation about pandemic mitigation measures which must be addressed. Right now we are being hyper vigilant about washing our hands, coughing into our elbow, avoiding large groups, and encouraging folks to stay home when they feel sick. We ask that you consider how important all of these things are beyond COVID-19? There are always groups that rely on the majority of us taking precautionary measures as a standard practice. Special accommodations and accessibility (live streaming and call-in options for those meetings you must have) should be a priority in all of our gatherings, meetings, etc., not just when the majority needs to work remotely.
In situations like these it is easy to lean into the panic. Don’t. We are all capable of taking practical and empathetic steps that keep us all safe. Your wellness is, and should always be, a top priority, and that includes staying as mindful as possible.
We want to leave you with some resources that we feel can help be a still point in this rapidly changing news cycle:
5 Things A Chief of Emergency Medicine Wants You To Do Right Now
For Urban Poor, the Coronavirus Complicates Existing Health Risks
A Few Things for Nonprofits and Foundations to Consider in Light of COVID-19
If you’ve have been impacted by COVID-19, whether it be loss of work hours, you’ve been exposed or you are a caregiver and had to self quarantine you may be eligible to file a claim- Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
Keep checking in here and our social media for expanded conversations we will be having about the details of some of these impacts and more, evolving strategies we are using to get through this together. We are in this together. For the safety and wellness for all of us.