Grange Notes by Tim Swartz, Grange President (with everyone’s help), March 28, 2020
Trying new ways: April 4th “Virtual Meeting” will feature a program on Health Care, 5-6:00 PM
Our next Grange meeting, on April 4th will be
held by “GoToMeeting” video and/or phone conference call, as we keep in
touch while following the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order from the
Governor.
Grange Lecturer Carl Etnier has arranged for a
discussion with Dr. Marvin Malek, a community-focused physician
practicing in Ludlow, VT. Dr. Malek will talk about what we can learn
from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the response to it about the value of a
national health care program?
Dr. Malek has been a member of the Physicians for a National
Health Program (PNHP) since 1988. He has worked closely with Dr. Deb
Richter, who has spoken at Grange programs about single-payer health
care systems a couple of times. Both have testified at the VT
Legislature on this issue.
After a 15-20 minute presentation by Dr. Malek, we will have a
chance to ask questions and discuss how the current health care “system”
has dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic, what could be done differently,
and options for alternative systems.
Jeremy Hansen, former Berlin Selectboard member and good friend
of the Grange is helping to set up the tech to supply this “virtual
meeting”, and will be the moderator for the discussion.
How can you take part? It’s relatively simple. You can phone in, by calling:
- 877-309-2071 (toll free)
- you will be prompted to enter the “access code”, using your phone:
- 581-606-484
To see Dr. Malek and other attendees, you can be part of the “GoToMeeting” webinar. You just need to register at this website; Jeremy will send you a link to the online meeting, and the “Meeting ID” you will need to join. With webcams showing who is there, Jeremy will be able to see who is raising their hands to speak, for example, which should lead to a smoother meeting.
We will be having a brief “executive session” by the same method, from 4:30 to 5:00. We will be getting a brief report on our finances–impacted as they are by the lack of renters–and reports from people who attend about how they are surviving the Covid-19 crisis, I expect.
How we’re getting through this As I asked, several people sent in suggestions for things to do in this limbo of separation; here they are:
- Recommended by Alison Forrest: Richard Morales’ Social Justice Art Studio, which includes some free downloads–including pictures of animals giving pandemic advice, like “Support the Most Vulnerable”. Also posters, buttons, books, much more, for kids & adults.
- Found on CDSS.org: a new podcast about contra dance music and musicians, hosted by one of our favorite piano/accordion players, Julie Vallimont. Listen to the first episode now, and upcoming ones at: https://contrapulse.cdss.org/. A great way to learn about the music that goes along with the contra-dancing, which I know many of the Grange Notes subscribers value.
- In my email, I found a letter from the Burlington-based Local Motion. whose mission is to bring walking and biking in reach of all Vermonters; besides explaining how they are coping, they had a list of outdoors things to do for kids, families and everyone. Check it out at this Local Motion link. We have lots of active people in our Grange community!
I invite all of the Grange members and friends who read this to send in even more stories of how you are maintaining connections, when we’re all forced to avoid personal contacts.
The most important thing we can do is to stay healthy, following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the VT Dept. of Health. Follow those links for the most up-to-date information.
Have you ever wondered what the Coronavirus looks like? This is an image from the CDC, so I think it is reasonably accurate. So if you see one of these, practice “social distancing”!
Final renovation details–on hold In my last Grange Notes, I asked for help with some trim and other painting, the last few items to finish up for the basement renovation project. I had a volunteer (Ellen Holmes-Henry) lined up to work with me today
We have had to put these plans on hold, to comply with the best medical advice and the Governor’s order. I have regretfully canceled the painting project, to wait until the situation improves.
Keep in touch if you want to help out when the time comes!
I’m re-using this photo…. ….because it shows the doors closed…and also shows the love that we have for the Grange and the connections we have made there. We will need to support each other through the current Covid-19 crisis, and afterward.