Learn It, Live It, Love It: The Social Distancing Edition

Learn it:
Covid-19 virus reached a tipping point this week. It’s on everyone’s mind, everyone’s feed and everywhere else you look. Many have been frustrated by the government response; I’m quite concerned about that as well, but one thing that I have found truly inspirational is the way that civil society, business and communities have given such a speedy and robust response. These are the times when freedom and community are tested, and the times when they are needed most. 

As many of you are likely working from home for the next few weeks, or at the least, attending fewer social events outside of work hours, The Leadership Institute has put together a series of lunchtime webinars next week that outline the variety of ways to make the most of this time.  Check out this constantly evolving document of training you can participate in that will help keep you productive. Also check out Melissa Mann’s great article on effectively working from home. 

Live it:
I’ll share a great quote from AF friend Colin Sharkey here:

“It is also important to remember there are a lot of people who are not fine. That children’s hospital cardiologist, for example, is in a serious situation. So, too, are students who rely on closed schools for nutrition, working parents struggling to organize childcare, underemployed workers for whom economic uncertainty means job insecurity, not to mention populations greatly at risk from coronavirus or disruptions in health services. You will not have to look far to find people who have more reason to be afraid of what lies ahead and it’ll bring you comfort to focus on helping them once your preparations are made. There are also many Americans who will show up to work through these disruptions, including at police departments, fire departments, hospitals, senior centers, power plants, water treatment facilities, and elsewhere to ensure basic services continue. Please do what you can to help keep our focus on those individuals and their families, too.” 

I’ve seen great advice to continue paying your service workers if you are able, and to purchase gift certificates to restaurants to use at a later date. Younger people in my building are also offering to do grocery shopping for our older neighbors. Also, check out this great post from AF Writing Fellows alum Chelsea Follett. 

What other ways are we ensuring those impacted by this new normal will achieve some level of stability? 

Like almost everyone else in my generation, I’m a huge fan of Allison Roman, and her dishes are tailor-made for a time like this. They are made of low-cost pantry staples, they are simple to cook, and they are chock full of flavor. Check out her New York Times Column, or her articles in Bon Appetit and get into the kitchen! Last night, I made her spicy white bean and broccoli rabe stew, and it is awesome! Her chickpea and turmeric stew is probably more famous, and equally delicious. #Thestew

I was first introduced to Blood Orange at a fateful Sweetgreen block party a few years ago (this event was the inspiration for Laissez Fair!). This week I’ve been listening to the Blood Orange station on Pandora and it’s a great playlist for productivity. There’s just the right balance of energetic songs that keep you awake and more mellow tunes that help you focus. 

Love it:
I probably shouldn’t recommend a podcast I’ve recommended before, but I’m going to do it anyway. This interview of Tyler Cowen by Tim Ferriss is enlightening and has me thinking hard about the importance of practice. Additionally, Tyler’s Emergent Ventures project is very very cool, and if you’ve got a wild and innovative idea, apply! They also just launched a new prize to find a cure for Covid-19, check it out.