Connecting in the Time of Corona

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Helen Keller

Somava Saha, Executive Lead

Well Being In the Nation (WIN) Network

Creating a Pandemic of Connection and Resilience Together

Last fall, many of us came together, from different walks of life, from a diversity of sectors, from federal agencies to local communities, to form the Well Being In the Nation (WIN) Network. We committed to advancing inter-generational well-being and equity together. We knew this would only be possible if we recognized that we are interconnected, that we can't separate the health of the public from its economic security, mental well-being, social connectedness or civic infrastructure. This has never been more apparent than it is today. In the WIN Network, we will lift up these connections and lean into this moment to build a better future.

Our Corona Crisis Response

In addition to a massive public health crisis and health equity crisis, the Coronavirus pandemic will be associated with secondary crises of social isolation, financial insecurity, toxic stress and domestic violence. It may result in an alarming increase in deaths of despair in the short term (worsening of mental health and addictions) and chronic medical and social illness in the long term. Join us in addressing these connected crises together.

SAVE THE DATE!!!

WIN Network Virtual Meeting June 4th-5th, 2020

The WIN Network and Well Being Alliance will be holding its meetings virtually on June 4th - June 5th, 2020. Full agenda coming soon! We will join the National Civic League in the late summer for our in-person meeting.

Resilience for the Soul

Each newsletter, we will bring you a poem or a piece of art that helps you to reflect and breathe in this moment.

This poem , by Rev. Lynn Ungar, leans into this moment to explore what it means to reframe this as a sacred time. Whether you are in reflection as part of your own individual practice or as part of a spiritual community honoring Passover, Easter, Ridvan, or another holiday, we invite you to join us in taking time to breathe, reflect and connect, to find the sacred within ourselves, one another and this time.

Connecting pandemic history, public health, and play-writing

This fantastic Stakeholder Health Podcast "The Center Holds" between Scott Burris, Professor of Law and Public Health at Temple and Lauren Gunderson, acclaimed playwright, about the theater of the pandemic and its roots in history and historic inequities. It also tells the origin story of the public health board of Philadelphia-- "the ones who stayed behind" in the midst of a pandemic--a "don't miss" as we celebrated all the heroes of public health and health care this past week and every week.

See full series

Othering, Belonging and Connecting in this Time of Physical Distancing

Racial and other inequities are showing up in both interpersonal and structural ways during this pandemic. This insightful essay from john a. powell describes some of these forces and calls us to remember why we need one other across our differences more than ever.

Bright spot: Creating Belonging and Civic Muscle in Algoma, Wisconsin

How one community in Algoma, Wisconsin made sure every child in their community who did not have access to the internet could have internet to continue their education and feel connected. Algoma was able to rapidly mobilize because they had invested in building relationships and civic muscle over years. Algoma was just recognized as an All-America Cities Finalist by the National Civic League!

Algoma is one of several communities who are helping to design and launch a WIN network of pacesetter communities committed to advancing well-being, equity and belonging as part of their pandemic transformation and beyond.

Join us!

Understanding the Curves of the Pandemic

Tomas Pueyo, in this well-written Medium article, " Coronavirus: The Hammer and the Dance" shows us the related curves of the pandemic, the different strategies that can frame our response, and why we need time to build the health and civic infrastructure needed to get to a stable place.

The second curve of mental health and diseases of despair

"We must all pull together to flatten the '2nd Curve' of rising mental health, addiction and self/other harm already being triggered by COVID's economic & social dislocation. The impact on human life of the virus will be amplified by the longer term devastation of our nation’s mental health and well-being."

-Tyler Norris, CEO Well Being Trust

Policy Corner

A policy summary of the Federal Stimulus bills from Anne DeBiasi
4 policy actions you can take to support everyone to have access to meaningful work and wealth, transportation, humane housing and civic infrastructure in the context of the pandemic from members of the Well Being Alliance.
A peer to peer resource sharing page where you can "give and get" stories, strategies and tools to help us all address COVID-19 on Community Commons.