At Edgeryders, we set out to build a cluster of mutual support between people in our network during the corona crisis. The first step is to share experiences of coping with work in a very detailed way. We have about 10 ongoing discussions (see #covid19), 2+ community calls weekly, and hundreds of chatty comments and cat videos. The outcomes are:
- Learn how others are dealing with the sudden changes in their lives
- Get inspiration for new things to do and stay optimistic
- Clear asks for help and projects are matched with contributors and mentors who can offer support.
If even the first point checks out, we could be succeeding, because this.is.one.of.those.times.
When work is brought to a halt, no one is lying on their back and waiting ex: for helicopter money, social security benefits. ‘We cannot rely on any help now’, says @DanicaLacarac whose own personal challenges don’t stop her from wondering how to help others… or @iriedawta telling us ‘I lost all my payslips due to the corona virus. I’m lucky enough to have a security network around me that I don’t have to care for rent. Overall I’m really anxious about the future. I will need to find another occupation’.
Have you noticed that while everyone should be slowing down, it seems like many of us are pushing ourselves to do more, learn more, and get ahead of the curve? It must be exhausting, so:
people, take three deep breaths in!
Now, how are we actually coping?
1. Personal learning plans.
@Matteo’s words are similar to what I have read elsewhere online:
I wrote a daily routine and I’m trying to stick with it, plus I made a plan with projects and things that I want to do in the next six weeks, after doing this I felt really good, self-discipline helps me usually.
Knowing @jasen_lakic little, I am not surprised that his strategy is to accelerate, keep on networking, and even teach himself how to code (designing board games is at a stall right now):
2. Build new kinds of businesses.
@alessandro_mambelli in Yerevan & @Yannick and Jasen in Brussels definitely think alike, if you ask me 
we could investigate this opportunity to look for something else we could also do. Should we? And not just to “diversify business”, I really just wish this won’t be yet another wasted global crisis. But where to start?
In Brussels we have two major facebook groups (in Fr/ Nl languages) and already we see people propose cooperative structures to coordinate a corona relief fund with 1000eur/member from all their 2500 members. I’m curious if the way to build anew is to build from scratch?
3. Build connective platforms.
The many technically skilled people in Edgeryders are trying out things for social good - @mstn attempt to set up local apps for easing access to food stores in the neighborhood; @matthias and @trythis participating in the German gov’s hacking event which birthed over 1000 working prototypes. @Yassine’s initiative in Tunisia is early days: the visitors of the site are people who seek answers to their questions or who need logistical help, as being volunteers we can even give food for those who cannot afford to buy or who cannot transport themselves.
4. Ask about the ways to go on the digital curve (especially from teachers and community workers).
If you’re in a rigid environment like universities, you have to find your way. We, the system, were not prepared for this challenge and had to design short-, medium- and long-term strategies right from last week,
writes @Jirka_Kocian. @Amelia similarly spoke about chaos. Community foundations in Romania have opened up about the difficulty of moving their programs online and stay true to their constituencies during the crisis, including with cashflow support. Kudos to you @Andreea @Alex_Stef @RuxandraNitu! Personally, I find this approach much more honest than what we see in other orgs: pretending that they know how to webinars since forever (sic!)
5. Turn expertise and passion into leadership.
@Alberto writes about the wonderful experience of caring for the office and co-workers at The Reef:
Many people appreciate going to the office, where they can socialize with colleagues and work from a space that is physically and mentally separated from the home and the family. But there is no reason to dive into traffic: you can get the same things in a remote work-ready facility five minutes walking from your door. No more commuting!
Others like @Hugi are helping translate (literally and metaphorically) situations from their own environment - why Sweden is behaving differently than the rest of the world.
What am I missing?
We are not talking a lot (or not here) about being a parent in this lockdown, but I’m pretty sure in so far as heroes go, parents are up there. Very funny twitter thread #ParentingInAPandemic! We are also not talking about burnout of remote workers. There are already interesting articles about that, and I would want to see what’s under. Anyone want to co-curate with me a series on this?
This was my personal summary about what we are learning from #covid19 loss of work.
How are you coping?
Leave a comment below with your experience, or read more about the initiative and take your pick here: https://work.edgeryders.eu/ !
