Dear John,

One question we’re asking ourselves every day is how do we stay centered in this moment? None of us can escape this crisis. At some points, we’re facing it head on. In other moments, we’re able to move our attention.

While you read this email, we invite you to get centered with us.

For each of you dealing with this right now, know that our arms and hearts are spread wide. It’s ok to curse the world, tune out for a while, or feel whatever emotions you have. If you’re in the eye of the storm at this particular moment, we’re with you too. 

As we watch the world fall apart and come back together, we know we have a once in a generation opportunity to set things up right.

Our partners who released the Black MN Covid-19 Response put it this way, “The system has never worked for all of our communities, and it was designed that way. Now is our opportunity to set a foundation for a better, more just world.”

We heard from a number of you that you are looking for ways to have an impact. Organizing never stops, even in a global pandemic. Our friends at CTUL are in this for the long haul, organizing workers to create a better future for all of us. If you can spare something, consider making a contribution to their work and matching it with a donation to a mutual aid fund. Every little bit helps.

Send us an email any time. Thanks for all of your thoughts last week. Stay tuned next week as we roll out something special for you.

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week:

1. Who Benefits? 

TakeAction exists to change who decides and who benefits in our democracy. This question has never been starker.

Today, the U.S. House passed the Senate’s $2.2 trillion economic stimulus package that excludes many workers & immigrants, provides minimal economic relief directly to people, and includes an enormous no-strings attached slush fund to mega corporations. Watch AOC’s speech on the House floor. 

And earlier this week, Minnesota’s legislature passed a COVID-19 response bill. Here’s our take.

2. Coronavirus Capitalism 

Are we going to bail out the biggest corporations and billionaires or are we going to win a progressive future for our communities? Naomi Klein has been writing about disaster capitalism for decades. Hear what she has to say about our current moment.

3. Grief

One of our readers sent this article in to us, and we found it clarifying and comforting. We’re all grieving right now, in many different ways. Read more.

4. Anti-Asian Racism

Here in Minnesota, we welcome all of our neighbors. We can’t let this pandemic divide us and turn us against one another because of our race or where our family came from. This reflection from a reporter in Greater Minnesota about life right now as an Asian American is vital. Read more.

5. Comrade Britney

Both Britney Spears and Fran Drescher called for a general strike this week, much to the internet’s delight. (Ours too!) Welcome to the revolution. Check out some of Twitter’s best reactions here.

6. Mimi Zhu

“We will feed each other, re-distribute wealth, strike. We will understand our own importance from the places we must stay. Communion moves beyond walls. We can still be together.”

Brittany Spears’ viral Instagram post, calling for connection, love, and solidarity was a quote from the writer and organizer Mimi Zhu. Get to know her and her work.

7. Strike

From flight attendants at Delta to warehouse workers at Amazon, working people are fighting for what they need to survive. Read about the upcoming strike by Instacart gig workers, who need basic safety measures.

8. How it Ends

The must-read piece in The Atlantic about how this pandemic will end. Check it out here.

9. Against Productivity 

We are in a scary time. If you’re finding it hard to concentrate on work – we certainly are – be gentle with yourself. Give yourself permission to take care of yourself and your loved ones first. Read more.

10. Bon Appetit Test Kitchen

After our co-worker LyLy introduced me (Patrick) to the Bon Appetit YouTube channel last fall, I watched more of their videos than I’d care to admit. With COVID-19 shutting down their test kitchen, these chefs are cooking from home, like the rest of us. Check out their latest video here.

Never seen one of these videos before? I’d recommend starting with gourmet Pop-Tarts or how to make sourdough bread.

That’s a wrap.

-- Kenza Hadj-Moussa and Patrick Burke