Hello Friends, I am seeing many posts on social media from people wondering what they can do right now to help others. So I am writing this in my professional capacity as the President of United Way of Treasure Valley located in Boise, Idaho, but the suggestions apply no matter where you live in the U.S.
This post isn't about health guidance. There is plenty of better qualified voices than mine on that subject. Just do what they recommend.
As for recommendations on how to help each other at a time when we shouldn't be standing shoulder to shoulder as we might otherwise in a time of crisis, here is the single most important action every one of us can do today and tomorrow:
Use your voice.
Never written to your Congressman or woman? It's easy.
1. Find their email contact - every office has a website with a section for constituent input.
2. They want to hear from people who vote in their region so rally your pals.
3. Think about what/who you care about during this crisis - health service access, displaced workers, speeding up manufacturing of supplies, policy changes that speed up services, resources for special populations, closures, etc.
4.Write an action specific message from your heart. Ask them for some specific action. That action can be as simple as "make this easy for all of us to stay healthy and recover quickly by passing legislation without special interests that removes barriers to a healthy recovery."
Let them know you are paying attention.
You don't have to be a professional writer, or a seasoned political action-taker. Now is the time for all of us to speak up for all of us.
Sincerely,
Nora Carpenter