For most, if not all of us, the coronavirus creates anxiety and fear.  We take steps to protect ourselves and our family.  But beyond those basic instincts, there is a common thread among many to reach out and help others. The question then becomes, how?

Much of what you need to know can be found on the Drake University Community Engagement website. The United Way Volunteer website is a great resource as well. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Check on your neighbors. Call or text your neighbors (especially elderly neighbors) to make sure they’re doing okay. If there is anything they need that you can provide, offer to leave it outside their front door. And if you feel comfortable going out, consider knocking on the door of an elderly neighbor and chatting through the storm door to offer a bit of comfort.

Donate. There are many ways you can do this. Contribute to Drake’s Virtual Food Drive or the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences’ virtual fundraiser for the Food Bank of Iowa. Consider donating blood, or drop off canned goods and toiletries to one of the Drake Neighborhood’s Little Free Pantries.

Put your creative skills to use. You’ve heard the stories of drive-by parades to celebrate a loved one’s birthday; singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument to lift the spirits of others from a safe distance; and creating fun videos to share with family and friends.  Find out what your passion or talent is and find a way to share it safely. It could be sewing face masks or writing letters to a local nursing home (Ramsey Village is in our Drake neighborhood). How about getting your family together and using chalk to write motivational messages on your sidewalk and driveway? The options are limitless.

Support your local businesses. Many of us are already ordering food from our local restaurants either drive-thru, delivery, or curb-side pick-up. Check online to see what other small local businesses are offering delivery or curbside pick-up options and consider making a purchase.

Find a way to say thank-you to those on the front lines. The best way we can say thank-you is to follow the CDC recommendations and wash our hands, practice social distancing, and stay home if we are sick. If you want to take it a step further, find out if your local hospital is accepting a delivery of a few pizzas. And don’t forget to thank all our front line and essential workers — including our own faculty and staff.

Although we are socially distanced, we are still best when we work together … six feet apart.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

All Staff Council created two more chat groups in TEAMS. A “Parents Group” and a “Wellness Group.” The parents chat allows parents to share challenges as well as ideas on how to make it a positive experience with your children at home. The wellness group allows members to share ways to be active and to be a source of motivation to keep you on track. Both groups serve as a connection point and source of community during this time.

If you would like to be added to the “Parents Group,” please send an email to jenny.jones@drake.edu. If you would like to be added to the “Wellness Group,” please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu. Each group is limited to 100 people.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

We have all heard the term social distancing and know the importance of increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. We also know that human connection is essential for good health, especially when life presents situations that create anxiety, and COVID-19 has certainly done that.

The good news is that social distancing (I prefer physical distancing) doesn’t mean being alone. Here are some tips for staying engaged and connecting with others to stay positive and healthy.

Connect digitally. Social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be a positive way to communicate with others, learn and share ideas.

Combining smartphones, computers, and tablets with videoconferencing software and apps allows you to interact with people face-to-face. Most platforms are free or have a free version.  Microsoft Teams has an “at-work” videoconferencing option.  Other platforms include Zoom, Skype, and Google Duo.

Once you connect, get creative. Start the day with friends over coffee or host an end-of-day happy hour.  Host a digital dinner party or virtual cooking lesson, read a grandchild a bedtime story, play games, or watch a TV show together. Netflix Party allows you to watch a program on Netflix at the same time as other users, pause it together, and chat about it in real time.

Attend a class or event virtually. Fitness clubs, yoga studios, and some local and national attractions like the Smithsonian are offering virtual classes and tours. And, most are free. Drake Group X instructors have created “at home workouts” through their Drake Rec app. Email wellness@drake.edu for more information.

Reconnect with family. Enjoy time at home with your family. And, start checking off those items on your to-do list. Cook and eat together, bring out games and puzzles, paint a room or plant a garden.

Have a neighborhood hangout. Social distancing doesn’t mean total isolation. Driveways, yards, and sidewalks make it easy to set boundaries while allowing neighbors to get outside and connect.

Make a phone call. Sometimes just hearing someone’s voice can be enough to lift both your spirits. Sending an email, text, postcard, or handwritten note are good ways to connect as well.

Remember, if social media becomes too much, it is okay to take a break. Take time to practice self-care and reach out if you are having a hard time coping with current events. You can contact Employee and Family Resources (EFR) at 800-327-4692.

Beginning April 8, EFR is also offering weekly webinars to address different aspects of emotional health. Join EFR on Wednesday, April 8, at 10 a.m. for a webinar on how COVID-19 has impacted our emotional well-being and relationships. During this webinar, they will explore ways to cope and build resiliency.  Register here.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources