Hi there, folks. Writing to you from home. Again.

A lot has happened since I wrote my last newsletter, and a lot has remained constant.

Our country has continued to rely on our frontline heroes. The sacrifices they have made and the courage they have shown continues to leave me speechless.  

For this newsletter, I chose to focus on thinking through ways we can take care of them, ourselves, and one another. Because at the end of the day, we are in this together, and together is how we will conquer the fear and heal moving forward.

Take care of yourself, folks. My thoughts are with you, always.

Jill and me out in the backyard this week.

• Why It’s Important Not to Drink Bleach - The Atlantic
  My thoughts here?

• Grief Is Different Now - The Atlantic
  This powerful article talks with six experts on a very prevalent topic: Grief. It discusses the way grief is manifesting differently now, how an isolating experience to begin with is magnified by further isolation and how loved ones are not given a traditional outlet in which to mourn. I have always said that, for me, the way to overcome grief is through finding something that gives us purpose. Having purpose allows you to look to the future, and not focus only on what you’ve lost. To anyone grappling with this right now, I need you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, always. We will get through this.
   
• How this CNN Hero is making senior dog adoptions happen during social distancing - CNN
  I had to end this on a high note. Animal shelters across the country, who feared the worst going into this, have had the pleasant surprise of Americans across the country clamoring to adopt senior dogs from shelters. In times like these we seek connection, it’s important for our mental health and development, and adopting a best friend can be a life changing act for both parties involved.

Campaign Updates

The campaign has been busy, and I’ve been sharpening my video skills, folks. We’ve done livestreams, Instagram lives, you name it.

Saturday, April 25th, marked one year since we launched the campaign. We celebrated by throwing #SOULSaturday. We asked our supporters and teammates across the country to join us in doing acts of kindness in your community and celebrating local heroes. I am thankful for the participation of so many friends, from the DNC to Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke, Amy Klobuchar, Pete and Chasten Buttigieg, and so many others. You can see some posts about it here: SOUL Saturday on Twitter >>

Last week, I got to hold a special Women’s Town Hall with my good friend Hillary Clinton. It is so great to have her support. We talked about the COVID-19 crisis, particularly the disproportionate impact on women. You can watch the discussion here >>

Jill and I also took to Instagram with U.S. Women’s Soccer player and all-around star, Megan Rapinoe. Our granddaughter Maisy is an incredible soccer player and got to see Megan play in the Women’s World Cup in 2015 and I know she was jealous. We had a great time, and she even offered to be my running mate! Don’t worry, I sent a strong recommendation to my newly created VP selection committee to consider her. You can watch the fun here >>

Finally, I want to share a really special conversation I had this week with Monica, an ICU Nurse. I was so blown away by her courage and her strength. To all health care workers: You are my personal heroes. You can watch our conversation here >>

Hey, Joe!

1. Question from Lauren in New Jersey: Do you use Netflix? If so, do you have any shows that you enjoy binge watching?
   We do have Netflix and I’ll tell you what -- the other week Jill turned on “Tiger King” because she was curious since everyone has been talking about it. About 20 minutes into it I turned to her and said “what on EARTH are we watching?!” She thought it was the funniest thing.
    
2. Question from Trevor in Virginia: What books are you reading to stay grounded during this difficult time?
   I tend to give this answer a lot, and it hasn’t changed much over the years, but in times of hardship I always like to re-read some Irish poetry that I love. When I was a kid trying to get over my stutter, those poems were what I recited over and over again, they gave me a strength that I could do something about what was making me sad. I don’t think I’ve ever lost that feeling, so they retain a sentimentality for me that I feel all over again when I read them.
   
   I also have been thinking about some of my favorite lines from philosophers, like Kierkegaard who said “Faith sees best in the dark.”
   
   Jill is the real reader in the family and has all the best taste in books. I’ll work on getting you a reading list from her for next time.
    
3. Question from Karen in North Carolina: What is your family doing to cope with the coronavirus and the social distancing required of all of us?
   I love talking to my grandkids. I always have and whenever we can call them, talk to them on a video call, it makes my day. I like to hear what they’re reading, how they’re feeling, and what they’re learning if they are doing some school work. Some of them live not too far and they’ll come over and we’ll speak through the screened porch. It’s hard not to hug them, but it will make that first hug when we’re through this all the more sweeter.

Spread the Faith

This week my friend, and someone who I don’t mind putting me on the hot seat, Anderson Cooper announced the birth of his son. His moving speech reminded us all of the light we can find in the dark, how even when we lose people, they are a part of us and with us as we greet new and joyful chapters in our lives. Thank you, Anderson, for spreading the faith this week. And congratulations on becoming a father.

I’m proud of the work my friend Lady Gaga and many others have been putting into Global Citizen, hosting performances as part of the “Together at Home” concert series and encouraging people to take action, from pledging to stay home to addressing the severe food shortages communities are now facing. I encourage you to check out the performances and sign on to take action:

In so many communities across the country, people are stepping up to make sure their neighbors are fed and looked after. I love this video highlighting the amazing work being done by this Sikh community in Riverside, CA.

Thanks for reading, folks. I really enjoy taking the time to put some thoughts down to share with you all.

I hope you’ll share some feedback or submit some questions for our next newsletter. I’d love to hear from you. You can do that here >> https://go.joebiden.com/newsletter

Take care of each other, and take care of yourself.

You all mean the world to me, to Jill, to the Biden family and to this campaign team.

Until next time,

Joe