Page 15 - Communities Respond to COVID-19

Unnamed, multifaith, residential, intentional community, East Coast, USA

It is challenging financially because our community is connected to a conference center that has been
closed due to the pandemic. We are maintaining social distancing and our members have remained
healthy so far.

Perennial Co-op, Wisconsin, USA

We have instituted a no-guest policy for inside the house. Guests can be in our yard and patio outside,
but must maintain 8 feet distance from members of the house. We are sanitizing high-touch surfaces
2x/day. We will make a payment plan for anyone unable to pay rent (which we would do anyway). Lots
of hand washing. We are using zoom to meet with membershippers virtually instead of in-person.

Gabrielle Hinahara

Huehuecoyotl Ecovillage, Santo Domingo Ocotitlán, Morelos State, Mexico

We are functioning better than in past years, due to circumstances related to the pandemia. Captive
audience with few distractions apart from basic necessities allows us to meet more frequently, touch
upon unfinished community issues, and many in-service workshops get attended by members:
fermentation techniques, theatrical improvisation, capoeira, martial arts, salsa dancing, book exchange
sessions, collective food and medicine purchases, resurrection of communal garden and seedling dome,
time at home to finish many unfinished projects, satisfaction in the installation of community
improvements, and frequent acknowledgement of small and big achievements made by everyone
shared daily on whatsup...

No visitors until further notification. Gas, water trucks, deliveries stopped at entryway while a
disinfecting crew applies alcohol to hands, clothing, shoes of people, or clorox spray to materials, tools,
ladders, and tires that enter. All food purchases unloaded and boxes, plastics disinfected at the gate.
Each person picks up their order. Anyone receiving a delivery meets it at the gate to receive and
disinfect personnel. Persons going and coming of necessity are asked to not pass by the houses where
families feel the most at risk.

We are meeting (observing the 'safe distance') weekly in an open field, with internet screen zoom
involvement of other member who are far away or unable to attend in person. Facial protection and
alcohol spray accompanies people who have to leave the community. Neighboring villages require
masks and 'safe distance' lines. Several villages have prohibited anyone from entering the town and area
who have no proof that they live here. Special permits are issued in the municipal headquarters for
renters. No tourists allowed in the region, for now. Our communal whatsup line is constantly busy,
informing, stimulating, announcing. Collections and food supply donations have been gathered and
donated to local families in the region who have been identified as suffering unnecessarily due to
unemployment. Our community members continue paying salaries to workers who we have asked to
remain in their homes. After a while 2/3 of their pay has been extended (due to our own lack of funds).
Additional security measures have upgraded the perimeters of the ecovillage due to a rise in regional
assaults. Alarm systems have been upgraded to involve everyone if there is any emergency...Via internet
we maintain contact and information about how the country is doing. There is an apparent feeling of
solidarity everywhere inside and outside the community. Local neighboring villages have set up whatsup