Page 6 - Communities Respond to COVID-19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw0JDJUu548&fbclid=IwAR0FQq3QfBdrM_mMmV0fDrz1SX7m-
1s77c06Eeq5GLkG0AV7MgilJOCuDN8

Our intentional community is expanding, with centers in Mexico and Spain blooming with the happiness
and joy that springs up from within.

Many blessings to our sisters and brothers,

David Hoffmeister

Unnamed community for those with special needs, UK

We are all healthy and agree that we are lucky to live in a beautiful setting with plenty of green space,
and plenty of meaningful work and occupation to keep us happy and engaged.

We have created a 'new normal' - work teams based on house groups, celebrations too, and leisure time
pursuits, all within the same groupings.
This has given rise to a buoyant mood, creativity and caring for each other.

Our day attendees and some employees are not able to join us at the moment, but each house group is
in frequent contact (via Skype, phone or Zoom) with those who belong to their group, and some
members have produced a lovely newsletter each fortnight which can be shared with families and
friends.

On the downside, there was of course anxiety at the start of the pandemic, re-surfacing again now with
the beginnings of easing the lockdown, but our management team produces weekly bulletins about the
measures in place, government advice etc. which seem to help to reassure people, and give a reference
point as things develop.

Another issue has been dealing with people's different interpretations or views on the pandemic itself
and on the Government measures in place, but as we have a focus of caring for vulnerable young adults,
this can give cohesion and common purpose to our community life which might otherwise have become
fragmented and unharmonious.

Some members have also actively taken up spiritual practices with the intention to contribute positively
towards the worldwide situation, linking in with wider initiatives e.g. a common meditation at a certain
time of the day.
In the longer term, overall, perhaps we could say that we have taken hold of the many opportunities this
situation suddenly presented us with, whilst at the same time we have kept abreast of the challenges
and requirements it gave rise to.

Wind Spirit Community, Arizona, USA

We are a rural community 22 miles from the nearest town so we are isolated. There are a few members
who don't think Covid-19 is a big deal and go to town to often. We have plenty of food so no big need to
go to the city, Phoenix. We have agreed and posted a 7ft rule and anyone who goes to Tucson or
Phoenix cannot use the community kitchen for 10 days. We have relaxed the kitchen restrictions just
yesterday which some are not happy about. We talk about it in meeting but which source do you