By Kristin Perissinotto
Updated 18 March to include COVID-19 Coronavirus
2020 has certainly started with number of tragic events. Here in Australia, we have been watching helplessly as the nation has burned. Our air quality is the worst in the world. Our native flora and fauna is dying, and citizens are losing their lives and homes. Our Prime Minister is doing nothing, or perhaps worse than nothing - he’s doing the wrong things. PM Scott Morrison began pushing the Religious Discrimination Bill in the midst of said fires. This Bill, if passed, will allow discrimination against women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, single mothers, people with a disability, and many other marginalised groups. The small Queensland town of Aurukun are experiencing violent riots, resulting in many of the residents having to flee or hide out. Across the globe, Trump has assassinated Iran's Qassem Soleimani, and citizens have begun calling for revenge. We are now in the midst of a global health crisis, as COVID-19 Coronavirus spreads across the globe at rapid speed.
All of this has left us at the One Woman Project feeling so overwhelmed, and we know we aren’t the only ones. We have listed a collection of resources that will direct you to places to donate goods and money, contact your MPs, practice self care, and get involved in collective action.
Please comment below or contact us if you have any feedback on the below or wish to add to the list.
COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic
Please note this section does not include health advice. Only follow health advice from verified sources such as the World Health Organisation.
Donate
Donate blood if you are able to, as there is a severe shortage
Write to your MP
Write to your MP to emphasise the importance of locking down in Australia to stop the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus.
Other
Self isolate as much as you can (ie. avoid gyms and public transport, work from home)
Don’t spread false information! Check your sources and only share verified information
Only purchase what you need from the supermarket
Instead of visiting those at risk (like the older community and immuno-supressed), opt for a video call
Offer assistance to those at risk in your community, by:
Offering a free bed if you have one
Picking up groceries and supplies
Donating spare toilet paper
Giving lifts to those who don’t have safe transport
Climate
Collective action
Join or start a Friends of the Earth action group
Host a letter writing event (see the next section for letter writing tools)
Donate
Due to generosity of the nation, communities affected by the fires are no longer in need of food and textile donations.
Sew for the Animal Rescue Craft Guild
New South Wales Rural Fire Service
The families of two firefighters who lost their lives
Country Fire Association (VIC)
Celeste Barber’s national fundraiser
Write to your MP
Templates by Climate for Change
#KillTheBill
Collective Action
Donate
Write to your MP
Template by Equality Australia
Aurukun
Donate
We could find no active fundraisers for the Aurukun tragedy, only the local PCYC.
Write to your MP
Other
Write to your local media outlets to ask why they aren’t covering the Aurukun tragedy
Looking after yourself
What’s normal and seeking help
The importance of self care for activists