Welcome
This is a special edition Grabs for personal consideration.If not already doing so, if you think it useful, put immediately all 2020 plans to one side for “when the time is right”.
Adopt, Hold and Embody the view that this is universal year of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
1. Ignorance Discriminates, The Virus Doesn't
While the publicly named enemy is a pandemic called COVID-19, the actual enemy appears to be the uncontrolled movement of people, ease of transmission, lack of cure, false-facts, and the precious nature of life. It is no one's fault, but every ones' responsibility. If we accept this to be true, then whatever self-isolation, temporary loss of freedom of movement or imposed "new normals" IS the most appropriate prevention.Bill Gates with Chris Anderson and Whitney Pennington Rodgers: How we must respond to the COVID-19 pandemic (52 mins)
2. Australian and Victorian Government Responds
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the rate of increase in coronavirus cases has fallen in Australia over the past week, showing social-distancing and self-isolation measures are working. The rate of increase a day has dropped from 25-30% to 13-15%.The respective Governments introduced new measures:
-- Australians returning from abroad will be accommodated in hotels under restricted isolation.
-- Stage 3 restrictions are now in place. Gatherings in Australia will be restricted to two people outdoor or indoor in a further attempt to contain the coronavirus pandemic.The two-person limit applies to gatherings with other friends or family. The two-person limit in Victoria does not apply to people who live in the same house, and excludes workplaces, schools weddings and funerals. More
-- Weddings and Funerals. No more than 5 people are allowed to attend a wedding (the 2 people getting married, a celebrant and 2 witnesses). No more than 10 people can attend funerals. All social distancing measures must be practiced at both weddings and funerals.
-- there is now a Coronavirus Australia app allowing users to navigate the latest advice and information about coronavirus. Available from the Apple App Store and on Google Play
-- there is a Federal Government WhatsApp channel
-- Increased availability is bulk-billed Telehealth consultations with their doctors and many other health professionals.Telehealth or telemedicine consultations are virtual appointments conducted over the phone or video conferencing services like FaceTime, Zoom or WhatsApp. They allow a patient to dial in and speak to their doctor through a simple audio link, or interact with them through a screen. More-- Federal Government announces 'Job Keeper' payment. A 'Job Keeper' payment will be made available to provide a flat $1500 per fortnight for employers to keep full and part-time employees in work. The scheme will also apply to sole traders. The scheme is expected to run for at least six months. Casuals are covered so long as they've been employed by their employer for at least 12 months. More-- Victorian Government announces $500 million support package for Victorian workers impacted by COVID-19. More
-- Moratorium on residential and commercial evictions. Residential and commercial tenants who are experiencing financial distress due to the impact of coronavirus will not be able to be evicted for the next 6 months.
3. Narrow Inputs To Trustable Sources
Reminding all of the importance of timely evidence-based facts in uncertain times:- AGE | Pandemic COVID-19 Coverage (Ongoing)
- ABC | Federal Government Announcement (Sat 27/3 + Auslan)
- ABC | Victoria in stage 3 coronavirus shutdown restrictions as cases climb to 821 (Mon 29/3)
- ABC | Charting the COVID-19 spread in Australia (Ongoing)
- WHO | World Health Organisation (International)
- GOVA | Department of Health (Australia)
- GOVS | Department of Health and Human Services (Victoria)
4. Broaden Outputs to First Responders
Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou. For the ongoing service. Remember to self-care.Us non-essentials are cheering you on from the sidelines while stopping our circulating to hopefully resist, reduce, or relieve some of the pressure. Or at the least giving you right of way.
Best wishes for skilful collaborations, less Suffering, causes for less Suffering, Good Health and Time to Enjoy it.
Bye bye for now, please leave to attend to the essential work. That is all from GEIFN at this time.
5. Self-Isolators, Non-Essentials And The Homebound
Let us cheer on the global scientists, medical fraternity and authorities racing across the clock separately and together in new found ways, to find a cure, manage the situation, and if not, mass-producable innoculation.Meanwhile, if with a surplus of time, the following collation is offered. Discuss with sincerity. Deny untruth. Dismiss unuseful. Accept useful. Adapt to change. Adopt least effort most benefit. Adept with sharing. Enjoy throughout. As each case may be. Round. And again. Or not.
Portions of this information was collated by Victorian Jewish Community COVID-19 Taskforce, received with gratitude.
Topics
- TED Talks
- Guest Sings
- Street Jives
- Wisdom Reconciles
- Media Words
- Challenge Reflects
TED Talks
46min presentationSusan David with Chris Anderson and Whitney Pennington Rodgers: How to be your best self in times of crisis
Guest Sings
Approx 5 min presentationBette Midler - From A Distance
Street Jives
Approx 2 min presentationSesame Street: Strategy
Wisdom Reconciles
Serving suggestions only. Adjust to suit aptitude, energy, and attitude.- STOP
Busy Being Busy-ness. Now is the time to adopt a view that this is an opportunity for the Sabbatical, Retreat or Holiday you never had time to have when being busy being busy. Home-bound or putting in a little bit of overtime at home? - LOOK
Watch this alone or together then design an Australian flag that depicts an accurate songline of Australia. Link up online with others, make a Facebook/Instagram page and share efforts online. - LISTEN
There are 7 days in a week, have a different music theme for the house/work every day.
Intermediates: One day, a day of your choice, must have classical.
Advanced: On the 7th day, there is silence.
advanced-Advanced: You choose where your calendar starts to determine which/where/how "7th" day has the silence. - LEARN
-- Watch this. If you hummed a little, learn the words so you can sing out loud and proud and off by heart. Translate the words into and sing along in your native language, for example here's one prepared earlier
-- Watch this or this or this. If you're jiggling a little, stand up, clear a space, jiggle a lot. Rest when tired.
-- Intermediate: If low-energy/recuperating, rest when weary and let others do the work for a little bit.
-- Advanced: Link up online with others, make a Facebook/Instagram page and share efforts online. - REFLECT
Happen upon this.
What can be learnt from this opportunity?
What will I keep from before?
What can be done right now?
What will I do differently once things get back to normal? - ACT IN TIME
As there was a "time before", logically there will be a "time after". What/How/Why-not let the "time now" inform, influence, and set-up the "time after"?
For when the time is right
Media Words
Approx 5 min readsIntro
Jacqueline Maley explores how stripping back complexity of living brings unexpected fruits, helpful advices for “Preparing to face life in lockdown” via The Brisbane Times
Sherryn Groch explores why limiting personal contact, restricted movement, and containment are reasonable steps in “What are the rules on coronavirus self-isolation?” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Chip Le Grand explains common challenges and diverse approaches to serving the disadvantaged when “Self-isolation for the benevolent is a devilish balance” via The Age
Intra
Angela Jackson explores conditions for upholding personal, familial and social contract as “Economics explains why panic buying becomes the norm” via The Age
Clay Lucas explores night time deliveries to supermarkets to commence as “Curfews dumped as states and councils help trucking firms restock supermarkets” via WA Today
Jennifer Duke explores some relief for cash-strapped employees and self-employed as “Financially stressed workers to be able to take $20,000 from super” via The Age
Inter
Clare Boyd-Macrae explores strategies of past generations finding themselves in unfamiliar territory, recounting how “It’s quite possible to live a civilised life without toilet paper” via The Brisbane Times
Tony Wright recalls childhood, coupons and household thrift, bearing “Lessons from the past for a future in lockdown” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Gabriella Marchant explores the need for safe spaces, sense of belonging and reliable internet access, sharing some of the reasons why "Despite coronavirus, there are some people who would prefer schools stayed partially open" via ABC
Multi
Lucy Sussex explores history’s pages for clues, insight and “Lessons from London's Great Plague of 1665” via The Age
Debbie Cuthbertson looks back 100 years to see “What we can learn from Victoria's Spanish flu outbreak of 1919” via The Age
Tony Wright explores disease, migration and overcoming obstacles “From terror to a love story: tales from a time of pandemic” via The Brisbane Times
All
Gregory Dore gives an account of the rolling out of Australia’s COVID-19 response, explaining it is "Testing time on the frontline: how a hospital is gearing up for the approaching virus storm” via WA Today
Jacqueline Maley explores strategies past societies have used to keep calm through “Fear and anxiety in the time of contagion” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Paulyne Pogorelske shares an article of Faith, explaining the role of Hope as an “Enriching reassurance in times of trouble” via The Brisbane Times
Togather
Angie Schiavone explores virtual communities making a real difference, revealing “How to ace care packages: delivering food for family and friends in need” via GoodFood.com.au
Elvira Pollina explores creative, innovative and productive thinking as “Italian start-up 3D prints valves to help coronavirus patients” via WA Today
Madeleine Heffernan explores repurposing on-hand products for immediate need as “Businesses keen to lend a clean hand in coronavirus crisis” via WA Today
Nobly
Jewel Topsfield explores diverse solutions to maintaining public health while building community as “Kindness outbreak keeping people occupied and entertained” via The Age
Erin Pearson explores a time-tested antidote to isolation and growing neighbourliness, why “'Pandemic pen pals' helping cut through social isolation” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Goya Dmytryshchak explores some of the enduring qualities required for friendlier neighbourhoods as “Coronavirus pandemic gives rise to acts of kindness” via The Sydney Morning Herald
Challenge Reflects
Approx 30 min presentation + reflection timesIf desired, a short selection of publicly available material on a chosen theme for personal reflection.
For best results, sit comfortably with a straight back, have headphones in a shared space, after each clicked link, allow a little reflection with your personally-held view before clicking on the next link.
Get ready to Reflect!
Choose your playing level:
Be introduced at 1.
Be soothed at 2-4.
Be shocked at 5.
Be inspired at 6.
Fuller illumination 1-6.
You be the judge. Or not.
Cryptic Clue:
When is the right timing to reconcile feelings of isolation, denialism, segregation, and unfairness?
1. Inspire
2. Perspire
3. Collaborate
4. Engage: Test for personal circumstances, if useful keep, if unuseful discard, if exceeds needs, share mindfully
5. Endure: Adapt for present times without sacrificing intent
6. Endear: (Inspiring Others To Tend the Flame) live/ demonstrate/ inspire/ teach experience with others
tempo
[tem’po]
From mid 17th century; from Italian, from Latin tempus = time.
1. Music: the speed at which a passage of music is or should be played.
2. Timing/Rhythm: the rate or speed of motion or activity; pace. Ie, the tempo of life dictated by a heavy workload.
3. Fencing: timing of an attack
contemplate
[kon’tem’plate]
From late 16th century; from Latin contemplat- = surveyed, observed, contemplated, from the verb contemplari, based on templum = place for observation’.
1. Observe; look thoughtfully for a long time at. Ie, we contemplated our image in the mirrors.
2. Purposeful Thought; think deeply and at length. Ie, the meditator sat quietly contemplating.
3. Consider; have in view as a probable intention. Ie, the Lawyer was contemplating the Client’s request for action claiming damages.
temporary
[tem’por’ary]
From mid 16th century; from Latin temporarius, from tempus, tempor- = time.
1. lasting for only a limited period of time; not permanent. Ie, a temporary job, a temporary confinement to home
noun
2. (plural temporaries, aka temp) a person or persons employed on a temporary basis, typically an office worker who finds employment through an agency. Ie, to gain flexibility, companies are bringing in temporaries or contracting out work.
[Practice]
Optional
-- Chant Mantrastyle
Pick up the tempo to contemplate, superficial pleasures as with difficulties are fleeting or temporary. Repeat as often as required. Being alive means every moment is precious and easily lost.
Why? Why not?
Start today. Or not.
As the case may be.
This is universal basis of re:lig:ion (again:uniting:energy). Here in this email, we'll hear it as countless sounds: of thoughts, words and actions wishing, causing and receiving less Suffering and more Happiness. For benefit initially of the individual increasing in beneficiaries until it includes all across all times and directions.
It is not personal, it just the way things are.