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Solidarity against the Coronavirus
Dear DWAG family,
It is with a heavy heart that we write to extend solidarity to all of you and your families, particularly to those who have been directly impacted by COVID-19. Our prayers and hearts go out to all who have lost loved ones, as we wish a speedy recovery to those who have tested positive and safety to those not yet tested. During this difficult time, we want to reach out to you and let you know that you are not alone and that we are all in this together.
The COVID -19 outbreak is a crisis of global magnitude; regardless of our individual differences – financial status, race, religion, age, social status, sexual identity, political and philosophical stances, geography. It has invaded human society at every level. Its democratic progression has no boundaries. Thus, making COVID-19 an enemy of all and as such we must stand united in the face of our enemy, this brutal disease, fight together and show solidarity with one another.
The outbreak has impacted each one of us differently; therefore, our individual responses may and can be different.
While we have been overwhelmed by the rapid growth of the disease, we must exercise wisdom and gratitude, while remaining vigilant.
We are grateful to those in the health and medical fields who are facing an unprecedented challenge and risk at the expense of their own safety in response to the outbreak – tending to patients’ medical needs, educating, and guiding us by disseminating helpful prevention measures. Special appreciation is given to our leaders at various levels of government who have stepped up efforts to protect citizens. Our appreciation also goes to various businesses and their dedicated employees for remaining in operation and continuing to avail themselves to provide services and goods to all of us.
I would like to share some tips as coping mechanisms that we have followed and that you may find helpful.
- Educate yourself and your family.
- Follow the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization in addition to your State and local governments’ direction.
- Don’t panic. You have all the reason to fear but panicking may adversely affect your coping ability.
- Please stay at home as much as you can. If you have children or others at home with you, stay involved with them, even helping your children with their schoolwork if they are learning remotely.
- Stay positive and remain focused.
- Call loved ones and regularly check on them and call your friends and your neighbors, if possible, especially older neighbors who may be living alone and need help with shopping.
- Don’t take the situation lightly; be open to learning from those with knowledge, expertise, and experience
- If you live alone, use your time wisely and revisit an indoor activity that you never get the chance to do, such as organizing your closets, your papers, your computer folders or deleting unwanted e-mails. Pick up a new hobby or revisit an old one that you may have abandoned because of your busy schedule. For me, despite all the worries, I have picked an online course and revisited my painting skills.
- Importantly, use social media opportunities to stay connected. Facebook, twitter, Zoom – these all allow you to interact with others. This is vital to getting us all through the social distancing that is paramount to controlling the ability the progression of this disease.
- Always maintain social distance, except at home with your family. This is especially important with younger people who may not realize how vital this is.
- Find ways to support someone in need, if you can, remembering to not risk your own health while doing so. While working to overcome your own challenges, think of those who may have greater challenges than you. Helping others is very empowering in this time of social anxiety and fear.
Please share your own coping mechanisms and let us know if we can help share them with our DWAG community.
By writing to you, I wanted to assure you that this is not in any way to undermine our individual struggle but to show our solidarity.
Overcoming this is not and will not be easy for some while, but it is not impossible. With our collective effort, we shall overcome and get back normal.
United we stand against the Coronavirus.
In solidarity, love, and support!
Truly Yours,
Niemat Ahmadi, President
Darfur Women Action Group
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