Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)  
 Be Strong and Courageous  
Make Your Impact! 

                                                              Newsletter  No. 20       March  2020

In This Issue:
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"The peacock is strong, courageous and an inspiration."

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"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass;  
it's about learning to dance in the rain."  -Vivian Greene

We Are All in This Together

During these crucial times when the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting our lives, health and economic systems, you may feel fear, anxious or nervous. We can choose faith versus fear and strength versus weakness.
 
Faith and strength begin with a positive attitude, working together, taking actions, and believing we will overcome. GWWN shares 5 faith and strength components to help us to become strong and courageous during this crisis. 
 
1. Follow Official Guidance  

Your official local and state governments provide current information and guidance for your state and area. They want you to be healthy and safe. Also, the U.S. and other health organizations provide recommendations. Facts will be confirmed when you tune in to a trusted television and/or cable network.
 
Some of the official recommendations and mandates to assist us in staying healthy and safe requires patience, caring, and consistency. Here are a few:
  • Wash hands with soap and water to prevent the spread of the virus
  • To wipe down surfaces in your home, EPA-registered disinfectants have been recommended.
  • Carefully Practice Social Distancing
    • Running errands and shopping for essential needs
    • Walking, running and biking
  • Clean and Disinfect Surfaces 
  • Stay-at-Home and/or Lock Down. Challenging but possible
    • Here are a few things to do:
      • Map out quality time to spend with the family
      • Eat meals or dinner together at the table if possible
      • Complete projects you've had on hold or wanting to do
      • Play games
      • Write a letter (everyone) to someone you admire. It can be a person in the immediate family.
      • Be creative, think of new activities
      • Show home movies
      • Participate in storytelling
      • Cheer someone up, call to encourage
      • Share feelings about the current crisis
      • Keep communication open, listen and have compassion
  • Learn a new hobby or skill
    • Free on-line courses
    • Hobbies can generate extra income
    • Fun
2. Education: Reliable Trusted Sources
 
Here are a few reliable sources to trust for education information.
   Coronavirus 
   Dashboard    
  Global Center for System Science and Engineering provides  cases by cases numbers
Your Local Health Department
Your Official State Website
   Source outside of the United States

3. Lend a Helping Hand
  • Shopping and errands: groceries, cleaners,and other essential needs
  • Donate to organizations: financial or in-kind gifts
  • Provide administrative or other services free
  • Volunteer, organizations need assistance
  • Give love offerings. Many people have lost jobs, and/or do not have income during this crisis to meet needs.
  • Observe carefully and cover the bill for someone in line at the grocery store.
4. Offer Condolences and Assistance 
 
Many families have lost loved one, friends, and colleagues during this crisis. You are fortunate if you have not been affected yet. However, you still can have some compassion for others. Here are a few ways you may assist:
  • Give them a phone call
  • Share positive memories or funny actions about the person's qualities
  • Offer to provide assistance with errands that allows you to practice social distancing
  • Send a card
  • Give a love offering
  • Be there for them at a distance and plan to make a visit if possible after the crisis
  • Support them after the funeral
    • "One of the loneliest times is afterward. The house is quiet, everything settled, and there is such an emptiness. Having someone present and to care makes a difference.
  • Check on them periodically
  • Invite them to dinner or out when this crisis ends.
5. Be a Role Model

Here are two positive examples. Like a good neighbor, let's encourage or provide a helping hand to serve. Do you believe there are still a few neighborly folks in the world? GWWN recently came upon these examples to share.  
 
An elderly woman in New York shared that her neighbors always watch her home, call to see if she needs anything, removes the snow from her driveway and approaches strangers who wander around her home, and much more. Early in the mornings, if they do not see her window shade raised, or her coming out of the home, they become concerned, continue watching, may follow up with a knock on the door or a phone call to check on her.  
 
During this health crisis they are offering to do even more to assist her. She said "I am very blessed to have excellent neighbors who are friendly and look after me. Living alone, they are my extra security blanket. We share, laugh, work together, and encourage each other in many ways. This has been our lifestyle for over 30 years, and we would not have it any other way. Our actions are contagious because new neighbors joined us."

The other example is a senior helping another senior In Washington, DC. The senior helper seized the opportunity to assist another senior with health issues without her asking.   
 
The senior providing the assistance shared: "I am drawn to help her. Although she has children, I believe my purpose is assist her when she needs critical help, a listening ear, and a friend to be there for her. Believe me, I feel good when I fulfilled a need. Also, her words of wisdom enhance my life. So, we are helping each other."  
 
A poet said: "When you help someone, you help yourself." These two examples are role models for families, businesses and the nations to unite to achieve common goals.
 
Women's History Month
March Designated 1987


The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a movement known as women's suffrage, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest. Women are still continuing this struggle in many areas.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. Visit each of these websites to learn more history and about powerful women.


WOMEN:

Women History Month .

Let's not forget women's history.

In the mist of the pandemic, ask yourself what is your role. There is something.
Make Your Impact!

Our Heartfelt Sympathy

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To all those who loss their love ones

During this time of sadness, love and fondness memories will give you strength.
Our caring thoughts are with you,
GWWN  
Pearls of Wisdom
 
"It is not length of life, but depth of life."
  -Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Essayist, Lecturer, Philosopher, and Poet

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us."  -Helen Keller, An American Author, Political Activist, and Lecturer

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."  - Maya Angelou, Writer and Civil Rights Activist
 
"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." -Helen Keller, An American Author, Political Activist, and Lecturer

"It you can envision it, you can achieve it."
  ~Mary Greene, GWWN/NAFE Executive Director
Photography and sources: Internet 
The Greater Washington Women's Network (GWWN) is dedicated to transforming and empowering professional women to reach their greatest potential. Celebrating 24+ Years  

GWWN is a tax-exempt, non-profit (501)(c)(3) organization.

NAFE
GWWN is an affiliate of the National Association for Female Executives


Greater Washington Women's Network, GWWN
P.O. Box 65532
Washington, DC 20035

gwwenet@gwwn.org
202-580-8884
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE