EP 12: How are we finding community during a pandemic?
The stay-at-home orders to curb the coronavirus pandemic have canceled sporting events, closed museums and moved church services online. These are all places where we have traditionally found community.
So many of us have turned to other ways of creating that sense of communal experience, including through online gatherings and group experiences that still follow physical distancing guidelines.
On this episode of “Life, Community, and COVID-19,” hosts Brian Ellison of KCUR of Kansas City and Maiken Scott of WHYY in Philadelphia explore how different groups are still finding that connection during the pandemic.
How have these groups adapted? What’s been the most important messages to share? What have we learned from the experience that we can carry with us?
In addition to callers, you’ll hear from:
The Rev. Alyn E. Waller, Senior Pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19 and found out he had it through testing he offered at his church. He sees no need to rush back into holding in-person services.
Kaitlin Abdelrahman, an organizer with Kansas City’s On Call Halal, which delivered meals to hospital staff to break the daily fasts required during Ramadan. She talks about missing the in-person interactions during the holiday.
Mariya Dostzadah Goodbrake, executive director of Global FC, which provides refugee youth in Kansas City to with access to soccer opportunities. She talks about how her group has continued to be a connection for the families in her organization.
Dr. Joi Lewis, who is working on the ground to create healing space to address trauma and grief in Minneapolis. She is providing COVID-19 relief and support with the Healing Justice Foundation and is CEO and founder of Joi Unlimited Coaching & Consulting. She talks about what she’s seen in Minnesota as protests for George Floyd, whose death while in police custody has led to an officer charged with third-degree murder, continue.
Boi Boy, a Kansas City artist and drag performer. Boi Boy talks about missing the safe spaces for healthy escapism and the challenges of hosting live videos from your room.
Audio diaries by Andrea Tudhope, featuring teenagers from Alaska and Minnesota: Jordan Bennett, a Tlingit in Alaska; Jaylynn Martin, 14, of the Wooshkeetaan clan in Alaska; Ambrose Hayward, 16, from Minneapolis; Nyagach Keuth, 15, from Minneapolis.
You can also read the Twitter thread below.
This show was produced by Suzanne Hogan of KCUR and Lindsay Lazarski of WHYY.