Page 17 - Communities Respond to COVID-19

and distributed the food as a take-out meal so every household doesn't have to cook for itself every
single night.

Interestingly, the people who come out for Happy Hour most evenings are those who have been the
most engaged in the community for the longest. The newer members are not coming out, even though
they are invited and they know about it. And those who don't show up anyway for anything are
obviously not coming out. So it is mostly the core group of founders and longer time residents who
persistently come out to stand around in our masks and share the day's news. The second generation
kids (now in their 20s) organized a Fashion Week, encouraging people to dress to a different sartorial
theme each day. Participation was high.

Hana Newcomb

The Vale, Ohio, United States

Community play set is cleaned before each use. Monthly meetings are done on Zoom. Birthdays are
celebrated by doing a parade - each person is 6 feet apart, we sing happy birthday, drop cards in a
basket. We are not restricting visitors unless they’re planning on using the play set (must get
permission). Checking in on each other often.

Sarah Badger
Newberry Place Co-housing, Michigan, USA

We have cancelled common meals and we are conducting community meetings via Zoom. We are
meeting for "Happy Hour" and other social gatherings by standing or sitting outdoors at appropriate
distances. Several people have taken it on themselves to wipe down the common house during the
week and everyone else is encouraged not to enter the common house except for brief visits for some
specific purpose. Several members have participated in bike rides to give children (and adults) some
exercise and a change of scenery. They try to maintain a safe distance during the activity. A group of us
marched to a nearby hospital with signs of encouragement for the medical staff. We stood at a safe
distance from each other and held up the signs for the medical staff to see as they were changing shifts.
They indicated that they appreciated the attention.

Daniel

Dream River Ranch, SW Idaho, USA

We are rural with individual living spaces. We wear masks when in town and follow the hand washing
guidelines there and at home. We use the clothes dryer for our clothes when we get home. Community
meals that take place inside have not resumed, but will as we can dine outside once again... weather
related. Gardening has increased and social interaction takes place still at a distance, but out of doors...
for now.

Willa Rose