'‘If All the Stores Close, We Need Food’: Community Gardens Adapt to the Pandemic' diff viewer (1/2)

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‘If All the Stores Close, We Need Food’: Community Gardens Adapt to the Pandemic	‘If All the Stores Close, We Need Food’: Community Gardens Adapt to the Pandemic
2020-06-04 21:16:25 UTC	2020-06-05 21:46:25 UTC (1 day later)
The first Saturday in April was still opening day for Tehuti Ma’at Community Garden in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, even with the stay-at-home order from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.	The first Saturday in April was still opening day for Tehuti Ma’at Community Garden in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, even with the stay-at-home order from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.
Working under a sky the color of blue cotton candy, Travis Basora, Amos Amorin and Adeija Jones were cleaning up around the wooden beds filled with flowering winter greens and the apple tree, its branches tipped with pale pink flower buds.	Working under a sky the color of blue cotton candy, Travis Basora, Amos Amorin and Adeija Jones were cleaning up around the wooden beds filled with flowering winter greens and the apple tree, its branches tipped with pale pink flower buds.
“Yes, there’s a pandemic, but we’re still here, we’re still working,” said Mr. Basora, 22, the acting manager of the garden, planted on an empty corner lot in the historic African-American neighborhood community once known as Weeksville.	“Yes, there’s a pandemic, but we’re still here, we’re still working,” said Mr. Basora, 22, the acting manager of the garden, planted on an empty corner lot in the historic African-American neighborhood community once known as Weeksville.
“It’s our first day, we’re still figuring it out,” he said, putting a gloved hand on his hip. “We’re keeping people active.”	“It’s our first day, we’re still figuring it out,” he said, putting a gloved hand on his hip. “We’re keeping people active.”
Tehuti Ma’at Community Garden is one of 553 gardens under the NYC Parks program called GreenThumb, all of which the city closed on March 21 to anyone but members working on necessary maintenance. “We need to do it responsibly, I understand that,” Mr. Basora said, adding that their garden model relied on walk-in volunteer labor in order to distribute produce to the community. That’s why he wanted to keep the garden “come as you wish.”	Tehuti Ma’at Community Garden is one of 553 gardens under the NYC Parks program called GreenThumb, all of which the city closed on March 21 to anyone but members working on necessary maintenance. “We need to do it responsibly, I understand that,” Mr. Basora said, adding that their garden model relied on walk-in volunteer labor in order to distribute produce to the community. That’s why he wanted to keep the garden “come as you wish.”
“If all the stores close, we need food — we have a lot of conversations about being self-sustaining here,” he said, adding that people in this part of Brooklyn also just need a place to hang out in the sun.	“If all the stores close, we need food — we have a lot of conversations about being self-sustaining here,” he said, adding that people in this part of Brooklyn also just need a place to hang out in the sun.
Across the country, community gardeners like Mr. Basora are figuring out how to do their work during a pandemic: How do you run a place where strangers share gloves and hand tools, then tote home soil-stained spinach to feed raw to their loved ones? How do you sow seeds when you can’t easily buy them, or have a vulnerable immune system and have been advised not to leave your home?	Across the country, community gardeners like Mr. Basora are figuring out how to do their work during a pandemic: How do you run a place where strangers share gloves and hand tools, then tote home soil-stained spinach to feed raw to their loved ones? How do you sow seeds when you can’t easily buy them, or have a vulnerable immune system and have been advised not to leave your home?
Ms. Jones, 22, was visiting Mr. Basora from the Phoenix Community Garden about a mile away in Ocean Hill, where members were already harvesting chickweed and chocolate fennel fronds. One of the bigger, more professionally run gardens in New York City — with a compost toilet, an apprenticing program and a summer farm stand where the gardeners sell their own crops — it came up with its own extensive Covid-19 gardening procedures nearly a month ago.	Ms. Jones, 22, was visiting Mr. Basora from the Phoenix Community Garden about a mile away in Ocean Hill, where members were already harvesting chickweed and chocolate fennel fronds. One of the bigger, more professionally run gardens in New York City — with a compost toilet, an apprenticing program and a summer farm stand where the gardeners sell their own crops — it came up with its own extensive Covid-19 gardening procedures nearly a month ago.
The group now hosts meetings on Zoom, uses spreadsheets to ensure that no more than five gardeners at a time show up to work and wipes down wheelbarrow handles with a bleach solution. They have shifted from teaching to growing as much as possible. One longtime member, Bernadette Mitchell, 56, has even changed her role from weekend tour guide to “social distancing director.”	The group now hosts meetings on Zoom, uses spreadsheets to ensure that no more than five gardeners at a time show up to work and wipes down wheelbarrow handles with a bleach solution. They have shifted from teaching to growing as much as possible. One longtime member, Bernadette Mitchell, 56, has even changed her role from weekend tour guide to “social distancing director.”
These were also among the issues Hannah Traggis, a member of Wareham Community Garden, in southeastern Massachusetts, was mulling over in early March, even before her state closed nonessential businesses. As a plant physiologist with laboratory training, Ms. Traggis, 48, said, “my gut instinct was to close it for a few weeks until we knew what was going on.”	These were also among the issues Hannah Traggis, a member of Wareham Community Garden, in southeastern Massachusetts, was mulling over in early March, even before her state closed nonessential businesses. As a plant physiologist with laboratory training, Ms. Traggis, 48, said, “my gut instinct was to close it for a few weeks until we knew what was going on.”
But when she posted that plan to a couple of listservs that focus on food and farming, she was inundated with emails arguing against it, listing everything from the importance of fresh food access for lower-income populations to the restorative properties of putting hands in soil.	But when she posted that plan to a couple of listservs that focus on food and farming, she was inundated with emails arguing against it, listing everything from the importance of fresh food access for lower-income populations to the restorative properties of putting hands in soil.
So instead of closing the garden — on land donated by one of region’s largest Ocean Spray cranberry growers — Ms. Traggis decided to start compiling pandemic advice for community gardeners into publicly shared documents she updates almost daily. (It includes science-based updates on the virus and tips on how to harvest, share tools, swap seeds and manage work flow — information also available on Wareham Community Garden’s blog.)	So instead of closing the garden — on land donated by one of region’s largest Ocean Spray cranberry growers — Ms. Traggis decided to start compiling pandemic advice for community gardeners into publicly shared documents she updates almost daily. (It includes science-based updates on the virus and tips on how to harvest, share tools, swap seeds and manage work flow — information also available on Wareham Community Garden’s blog.)
Gardens, Ms. Traggis said, are “so crucially important to people, and if they can also raise some food that saves at least one trip to the grocery store? I love to think it can be a reality.”	Gardens, Ms. Traggis said, are “so crucially important to people, and if they can also raise some food that saves at least one trip to the grocery store? I love to think it can be a reality.”
Marguerite Green, the executive director of a New Orleans nonprofit group called Sprout Nola, is preparing for the day gardens have to replace grocery stores altogether. “I’m worried we won’t be able to get fresh food other than locally,” said Ms. Green, 31, who has seen food scarcity before.	Marguerite Green, the executive director of a New Orleans nonprofit group called Sprout Nola, is preparing for the day gardens have to replace grocery stores altogether. “I’m worried we won’t be able to get fresh food other than locally,” said Ms. Green, 31, who has seen food scarcity before.
She was a senior in high school when Hurricane Katrina shut down her city in 2005, and recalls weeks of eating nothing but M.R.E.s, the instant meals prepared for the military. Ms. Green went on to get a degree in vegetable production before joining Sprout Nola, which runs its own community garden and helps support several others.	She was a senior in high school when Hurricane Katrina shut down her city in 2005, and recalls weeks of eating nothing but M.R.E.s, the instant meals prepared for the military. Ms. Green went on to get a degree in vegetable production before joining Sprout Nola, which runs its own community garden and helps support several others.
“I didn’t want to be in that position again,” said Ms. Green, who put together a series of plans within days of Louisiana’s shelter-in-place rule on March 12, which also shuttered farmers’ markets.	“I didn’t want to be in that position again,” said Ms. Green, who put together a series of plans within days of Louisiana’s shelter-in-place rule on March 12, which also shuttered farmers’ markets.
In addition to adding safety and sanitation rules and digital potlucks at their own garden — where eggplant, tomatoes, okra and peppers are already in season — her organization is distributing boxes of food to members who can’t leave their homes, or gardening for them. It is also working to grow more food, by putting in plants at two abandoned city gardens and tapping skilled gardeners to raise seedlings at home to be sent to a spreadsheet of people who have requested them.	In addition to adding safety and sanitation rules and digital potlucks at their own garden — where eggplant, tomatoes, okra and peppers are already in season — her organization is distributing boxes of food to members who can’t leave their homes, or gardening for them. It is also working to grow more food, by putting in plants at two abandoned city gardens and tapping skilled gardeners to raise seedlings at home to be sent to a spreadsheet of people who have requested them.
“This is actually why we build community,” Ms. Green said. “It’s to take care of each other in times of need.”	“This is actually why we build community,” Ms. Green said. “It’s to take care of each other in times of need.”
The executive director of Denver Urban Gardens had similar instincts after her city enacted its stay-at-home order.	The executive director of Denver Urban Gardens had similar instincts after her city enacted its stay-at-home order.
“Initially our first staff meeting was, ‘What do we do? Do we feed people today? Do we pivot completely to become a food pantry?’ ” said Violeta García, 39, whose organization supports 188 gardens around the region, including several on public-school property that they had to fight to reopen.	“Initially our first staff meeting was, ‘What do we do? Do we feed people today? Do we pivot completely to become a food pantry?’ ” said Violeta García, 39, whose organization supports 188 gardens around the region, including several on public-school property that they had to fight to reopen.
They decided to work on a 10-step safety list and a public online education platform, and to distribute 1,000 “to grow” boxes filled with gardening supplies to new growers, in addition to the seeds and seedlings they were already providing to 1,400 garden groups and families. They will give them out again in the fall, Ms. García said, and if the recipients don’t have a place to plant, they’ll match them with an empty plot in one of their gardens.	They decided to work on a 10-step safety list and a public online education platform, and to distribute 1,000 “to grow” boxes filled with gardening supplies to new growers, in addition to the seeds and seedlings they were already providing to 1,400 garden groups and families. They will give them out again in the fall, Ms. García said, and if the recipients don’t have a place to plant, they’ll match them with an empty plot in one of their gardens.
“This is not just for fun, this is because it’s essential for people’s lives,” said Ms. García, who added that most of their gardens were in “underserved” neighborhoods hit hardest by the pandemic by several measures, including health, access to enough food and job losses.	“This is not just for fun, this is because it’s essential for people’s lives,” said Ms. García, who added that most of their gardens were in “underserved” neighborhoods hit hardest by the pandemic by several measures, including health, access to enough food and job losses.
~~Updated June 2, 2020~~	Updated June 5, 2020
	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.	Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
At Our Neighbors Farm & Pantry in the small desert city of Safford, Ariz., a one-acre community-run garden already grows for the organization’s food pantry year-round, said Stacey Scarce, the executive director. In the past week, visits to the farm for its harvest-your-own program are up — though part-time staff now has to do the harvesting — and trips to the pantry have increased by 20 or more people a day, she said.	At Our Neighbors Farm & Pantry in the small desert city of Safford, Ariz., a one-acre community-run garden already grows for the organization’s food pantry year-round, said Stacey Scarce, the executive director. In the past week, visits to the farm for its harvest-your-own program are up — though part-time staff now has to do the harvesting — and trips to the pantry have increased by 20 or more people a day, she said.
Abby Bell has noticed a similar trend in San Francisco, where she manages Alemany Farm, a vast, serene community garden on city parkland. More people, Ms. Bell said, are stopping in to pick-their-own — they just have to stay six feet apart and follow other posted safety rules — and she sees increased need from the food pantry in the neighboring Alemany Public Housing community.	Abby Bell has noticed a similar trend in San Francisco, where she manages Alemany Farm, a vast, serene community garden on city parkland. More people, Ms. Bell said, are stopping in to pick-their-own — they just have to stay six feet apart and follow other posted safety rules — and she sees increased need from the food pantry in the neighboring Alemany Public Housing community.
The garden produced 25,000 pounds of produce last year, said Ms. Bell, 38, who when reached on the garden’s phone line was harvesting cabbage as birds called in the background.	The garden produced 25,000 pounds of produce last year, said Ms. Bell, 38, who when reached on the garden’s phone line was harvesting cabbage as birds called in the background.