We are writing to you in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic to encourage you to take care of yourselves and each other. As we are being told to stay at home and keep our social distance from one another, it is also an opportunity to reach out to our neighbours and come together as a community.
Please take some time to ask your neighbour if they need groceries from the store, reassure them if they are fearful, chat on the phone if they are lonely. There is uncertainty for many people, including parents with young children wondering how they are going to be able to juggle working from home with keeping children occupied, as well as members who are immuno-compromised or otherwise vulnerable. There is worry for those with older children trying to secure safe passage for their return from studying abroad or travelling. There may be financial hardship for those with insecure employment or who are lacking sick benefits, being told to stay at home with no pay. As a co-operative community, we see this as a time where we can try to support one another while also taking the necessary precautions ourselves.
We as a board will connect with the education committee to help facilitate some community support, but in the mean time, consider reaching out to your neighbours and ask if they need anything.
Vancouver East Housing Co-op Board of Executives