this is probably an e-newsletter

the first one, pre-substack

(I made this image at work after a friend complained about the prevalence of hand-washing diagrams with peach-colored skin.)

(this e-mail was originally distributed on March 24, 2020)

Turns out I’m not the only one with the impulse to compile a list of links for the benefit of others.  Earlier this week I found myself reading several such list articles that linked to other list articles until the tab explosion in my browser was too overwhelming to contain and I came away fried rather than empowered.  And yet my urge to share has not lessened, so here is an email, created with curation and good vibes in mind and at heart. 

Bust recently published a piece about adding “magical intent” to your spring cleaning.  The process described in the article is extensive if not intimidating, so I tried just a couple of the suggestions and cleaned my bedroom yesterday.  Specifically, I followed the recipe for simmering herbs and spices on the stove, which made our apartment smell great.  I also tried the spray-bottle mix and actually wiped down my floors and walls after tidying some accumulated detritus.  For the first time in a long while it’s quite pleasant to be in my room.  What I’m getting at is that this approach allowed me to think about cleaning as a ritual (and a scent experience!) instead of a chore and an experience of anger about the dust and grime.  It’s a very witchy article—which some of you will love and some of you will find off-putting—but I thoroughly enjoyed the premise. 

A photo artist whose visual commentary on petromodernity is spot-on: Margeaux Walter, and her project called ‘Believe Me.’

Music videos from the now-cancelled Eurovision 2020 competition that I’d like to share:

• “Uno” by Little Big [prepare yourself for oddly mesmerizing bell-bottomed pants]

• “Attention” by Ulrikke (power performance)

• “Think About Things” by Daði Freyr [this is delightful]

Also: if you live with other people or have a pet: make an effort to maintain physical contact!  Touch is very important for humans.  It limits loneliness and can even reduce the severity of cold symptoms (see this 2014 study about how people who receive more hugs are more resistant to sickness.)

My favorite list of resources that I’ve stumbled upon this week is this google doc for sex workers.  Regardless of your profession, I think the list offers a useful framework for thinking about these times. 

Wherever you live, take a look to see what shelters in your area need. 

“If we had a society that centered people over profits, then we would be having a very different response to coronavirus.”

– Sandra Kim, founder of Everyday Feminism

(Sandra Kim currently runs ‘Tea Time with Sandra,’ free webinars each Tuesday and Thursday in response to coronapanic.  Each session includes breathing/grounding exercises, a lot of compassion, and opportunities for activism.)

If you have a sewing machine and time, consider making protective face masks to wear when you go to the store and/or to donate (a women’s shelter in my hometown, for instance, is asking for masks.)  If you live in Missoula and need/want pink thread, fabric, or twist ties (used along the top edge to create a nose bridge) to make masks, let me know, because I have all of those things and could drop them off for you.  Joann craft stores has a good introductory page for this project; I’m partial to this tutorial. 

I learned from a Brooklyn Community Bail Fund email that the New York governor is considering increasing the state’s jail population (which would be a COVID-19 bonanza, am I right?).  Here’s a link to a petition that challenges this effort, and here’s a document with scripts for calling representatives.  Very few people on this email actually live in New York, but I imagine that a) your voice is not unwelcome in these matters and b) you can likely find similar opportunities to call representatives wherever you vote. 

If you don’t live out there but want to sign the petition (note: you will be subscribed to emails—make sure to unsubscribe if you don’t want them), here’s what I wrote--you’re welcome to use it.

“I am not a New York resident but COVID-19 is a global crisis.  Decisions that people I've never met choose to make in parts of the world where I do not live will still affect my quality of life.  Increasing jail populations will directly contribute to more deaths from coronavirus.  Putting people in jail is already destructive and expensive.  In this moment, it is even more dangerous than usual.  Reducing incarceration would be a boon to public health.” 

There’s also a pre-existing, well-written spiel provided by the organizers in charge. 

Specific to Montana (but of consequence to all of us), now would be a great time to sign the petition opposing Keystone XL.  The pipeline would run through the Fort Peck reservation.  It’s also a great time to call our governor and representatives to express verbal opposition.  (Before all this happened, I’d been thinking about heading to Helena next week for a demonstration aimed at Governor Bullock and Senator Tester, but it’s no longer wise to go in person.) 

That’s it!  We made it.  Until next time.