Last update: October 20, 2021
How the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic
Protecting the health and safety of our volunteers, activists, and communities is a priority during this unprecedented time. In keeping with guidance from the National Sierra Club, the Georgia Chapter is taking the steps below to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Here are some steps the Georgia Chapter is taking:
- The Georgia Chapter office in Decatur is closed until further notice.
- Chapter staff are working from home and are reachable via email.
- Most meetings and events are still being held virtually. Events being held in person are following Sierra Club protocols for masking. Check our calendar to see upcoming events and RSVP.
- We’re committing to investing in preventive measures as outlined by the CDC: hand washing, sanitizing, physical distancing, and more.
Outings update:
Great news for Sierra Club Outings! Sierra Club began allowing local outdoor outings again starting the first week of July. There are new protocols to protect outings participants from COVID-19. Watch for further upcoming announcements.
Since it has been more than a year since Sierra Club has held formal outings, many of our Outings Leaders may need to get their certifications updated. Outings Leaders: If you have questions about the new protocols, about Outing Leader training, or certification renewal, please check with your Local Group's Outings Chair or e-mail Chapter Outings Chair Grant Brown at sierrageorgiaoutings@gmail.com.
We know this is a difficult time for everyone and are grateful for your continued patience and understanding as we continue our work across the state in new ways. In order to move our equitable and just organizing work forward, we must act in a way that benefits everyone. We hope that you all, in some way, are able to embed small moments of reflection and care into your routines.
Information on COVID-19:
- Find available vaccines near you
- Georgia Department of Public Health Vaccine Info Page
- Center for Disease Control COVID-19 Resource Hub
- Advice for the public from the World Health Organization
- Georgia Department of Public Health Coronavirus Response
- Georgia government services information hub
- City of Atlanta Coronavirus Response
Community resources for dealing with COVID-19:
- Meals for students during coronavirus-related school closures - 11 Alive has a good list of how local school districts are getting meals to students during school closures
- Food4Life is a free grocery delivery service in Atlanta (currently accepting volunteers and requests)
- The Giving Kitchen is offering assistance to food service workers in need of support at this time
- The Center for Civic Innovation in Atlanta has a great round up resources
- Resources for freelance artists and musicians in need of support
- Georgia Watch's guide for avoiding COVID-19 scams
- The Metropolitan Opera is streaming live recordings of several shows nightly
- An article on enjoying the outdoors while physical distancing
- Nicholas House offers financial assistance to metro Atlanta families affected by COVID-19, including help with rent, utilities, or food
- The Housing Justice League’s COVID emergency hotline (for housing emergencies, such as eviction) is 404-946-9953. HJL also has a list of housing emergency resources
Have a resource you'd like to share? Let us know!
Ways to pitch in:
- Support vulnerable communities impacted by COVID-19 by donating to the organizations on the front lines
- Make a donation to the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund set up by the United Way of Greater Atlanta and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
- The AJC has a list of 100 charitable ways Atlantans can help out during the pandemic
Further reading — The intersection of climate justice and social responsibility:
Our work in the climate and environmental justice movements stems from an understanding that the world is organized such that the effects of climate change are disproportionately felt. The same is true during outbreaks of communicable diseases: Communities most impacted are often communities already at the intersections of multiple systems of oppression. In the current conversations around coronavirus, there is a lot of mention of “high risk,” “vulnerable,” or “at risk” individuals without a real acknowledgement of who these folks are or our collective responsibility to keep each other safe.
We know that many of our neighbors and community members don’t have access to health benefits, paid sick leave, or the ability to work from home. Outbreaks of communicable disease can interrupt regular services and divert resources and supplies from those who need them. Our healthcare system and services aren’t strucutred in ways that equitably respond to and take care of everyone. Our world is built and organized in ways that meet some people’s access needs, not all. Socialized xenophobia and fear fuel racist and ableist narratives in our media. It is our collective responsibility to question and unpack our language, beliefs, and actions surrounding this pandemic.
We look forward to continued (virtual) work alongside you through these challenging times and beyond.
In community,
The Sierra Club Georgia Chapter team