Finding Belonging in a Time of "Social Distancing"
It’s Election Day here in Washington as I work from home. National politics have taken a backseat to the 162 confirmed cases of and 22 deaths from COVID-19 locally in our state. Many companies and organizations (including ours) have asked their employees to work remotely to prevent the spread of coronavirus. We are being asked to utilize “social distancing” to combat the rise of infection. While that helps keep the virus at bay, it steeply increases isolation and anxiety.
During such a wide-sweeping health crisis, anxiety rises and both belonging and othering have the opportunity to increase. So how do we tip the scale towards belonging?
It goes back to our shared narrative. Are we facing this health crisis separately or together? What does together mean?
The virus has no bias or discrimination. It’ll infect people who are exposed. Unfortunately, people do have biases, and discrimination has been rampant, especially towards our Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. There has been a jump in anti-AAPI bias and xenophobia in our region. Many of our hospitality businesses are suffering but none more than those in our International District (ID).
While we should all stay safe, please consider patronizing our most affected small local businesses. If you do eat out in greater Seattle, I recommend the amazing restaurants in the International District. Phnom Penh Noodle House just re-opened. Dim sum is abundant. Bubble tea spots abound. Vietnamese noodles are simmering in delicious broth. Korean hot dogs and barbecue are ready for consumption. Historic sushi and izakaya shops are open for business.
Also consider reaching out to those who are most vulnerable to the virus: our seniors and those with medical conditions. The toll COVID-19 has taken on our loved ones in nursing homes and long-term care facilities is overwhelming. While the state is limiting visitors to one-per-day at these facilities, it doesn’t stop us from calling or texting those we care about.
We are lucky to live in a state where our state, county, and local governments are working closely with private, non-profit, academic and philanthropic communities. We’ve seen this on a global scale with the $125 million drive spearheaded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and locally with the $2.5 million* fund led by a coalition of partners like Seattle Foundation, United Way of King County, King County, City of Seattle, Alaska Airlines, Amazon, Microsoft, and The Starbucks Foundation.
We can and must collectively bear the burden of COVID-19. The impact on health care workers, small businesses, families situated furthest from safety nets, gig-economy workers, those without health insurance, and those impacted by racism and bias will continue to grow.
This virus demonstrates that we all impact each other, and the only way we can really make an impact is together. Please consider expanding your circle of human concern. We will be stronger, healthier, and happier for it.
* as of March 12th, the fund has now topped $9 million as Connie and Steve Ballmer, BECU, Bezos Family Foundation, Costco, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Perigee Fund, Premera Blue Cross, and Raikes Foundation join the growing list of contributors.
Frank Nam manages the We Belong Here project, part of Civic Commons, a strategic initiative of Seattle Foundation. We Belong Here convenes multi-sector representatives to enhance belonging and civic muscle in order to co-create solutions that tackle the root causes of inequity.