Page 11 - Communities Respond to COVID-19

creativity, humor, and personalities, which help keep things light and in perspective with the world
around us.

On the other hand, our weaknesses also revolve around communication. As we are a consensus-based
household, it sometimes can be frustrating or time-consuming to all get on the same page about making
decisions that not everyone is committed to. Similarly, there are varying energy levels around
participating in things like sanitizing and rigid social distancing outside of the house. The folks that have
a higher commitment to these standards tend to make up for those with lower folks, so we end up
evening out.
We have a housemate moving in in the next few days who has reported having a condition that
increases her risk. We have been having conversations about how to prepare for her arrival. Our plan for
now is to social distance from her as much as we can in the first weeks of her arrival and continue to be
diligent about cleaning and sanitizing surfaces, especially the shared bathrooms. The room that she is
moving in to has been paid special attention to to reduce exposure. She was originally slated to move in
about 3 weeks ago, but decided to delay her arrival.

We recently found out that we will have an opening towards the end of the summer. We have posted a
listing and have been sending the following message to interested folks:

"Our intention is to delay our active recruiting a couple of weeks here, but we will continue to accept
applications and will reach out to you when we are ready to plan a visit with you as we are interested in
getting to know you more. We typically invite potential folks to at least three dinners/house events, a
house meeting, and an interview. However, due to COVID-19 we are adjusting our process since we are
taking serious precautions to reduce exposure at Walnut Street Co-op.

We hope to schedule initial visits/dinners via Zoom, then have you come over to meet us in person and
see the house towards the end of the process for the house meeting and interview. Please send any
questions you have, otherwise I will reach out to you again in a couple weeks to schedule"
Emily Kostuch

DayStar Community, Tallahassee, Florida, United States

Cancelled all monthly potlucks with wider neighborhood, but the 8 core households are getting together
more often for weekly happy hour, two movie nights, and regular exercise and Tai Chi groups, all outside
on our shared green space at safe distances.

Lots of yard work getting done.

Half of us teleworking and some retired.
Enjoying reduced car time.

Seeing each other more than ever and happy for the necessity to go slow.

All remain healthy, with no one tested yet.

Happy to have started new traditions like movie night outdoors.

Board meeting was outdoors on the lawn.