The month that I wrote this, it was potentially the hottest month in human history. By the time you read this, you will have seen hotter. The month that I wrote this, there were fires and floods, there was mass suicides by whales. The month that I wrote this, asphalt melted and power grids buckled, crops died and covid surged. The month I wrote this, the antarctic winter didn’t see the ice return for the first time in recorded history. Yet the month I wrote this was likely safer and more stable than the month you’re reading it.
Please everyone do not put off the last point (band up with other opressed people to defend against imminent, directly violent attacks). I know a lot of people reading this lives in comparatively safe countries and may be used to a lifestyle that feels far away from violence. It's not. I know it feels overwhelming to even think about it when you still have all the bullshit of capitalism drudgery to address, when you're used to think of yourself as weak and helpless—but in numbers, no we aren't. Prepare to defend against the violence collectively, practicaly, concretely, and quick; cos take it from me, the violence is already preparing to visit you.
honestly one of the hardest parts. Being patient, and not shaming people for not caring, but instead inviting them to participate in things. I've had better turnouts at preparedness events than I woulda expected.
I recently got involved in direct action to protect people from covid. I've worked on education to teach people how to use N95s, I've learned how to obtain N95s at cheap prices, and I'm learning how to distribute them. I'm not the one who started this, someone asked me to help and I said yes. Now I'm making connections with people in multiple countries who are taking action against covid. We also know we can use N95s against wildfire smoke, and someone I know also collects acid gas respirators to distribute after industrial disasters. My group only has the capacity to distribute N95s now, but I know a group who also loans out air filters to household members of people who tested positive and who have helped at least two people get paxlovid. It's incredible how simple this direct action is yet it saves people from disability and death. It's also the basis for a new community which I'm going to need as more shit hits the fan.
Hi Margaret, thank you for this excellent piece! In the spirit of this, I'm wondering if you might be willing to help connect me with Brooke and/or Casandra. Based on what they've mentioned in previous episodes of Live Like the World is Dying, they live maybe 15 miles north of my town (Albany) and they just seem like the raddest comrades. I've found a few good folks down here in my town, but it can be hard to find folks who have gotten past the "the state will save us, vote for more Dems" state of mind. I'm not comfortable sharing my contact info in this public space, but if you'd be willing to coordinate just a bit I'd be grateful!
I love this and am so glad it exists, thank you for taking the time to chronicle this and share this. I have long covid from the one time I got it, and if I get it again I may be too disabled to work. Most of my pod is in the same boat. We are so isolated from others due to it being unsafe for us to gather IRL, which makes us even more vulnerable. I would add much of Leah Piepzna-Samarasinha's "a long winter crip survival guide for pandemic year 4/forever" https://www.tinyurl.com/longwintersurvival
Please everyone do not put off the last point (band up with other opressed people to defend against imminent, directly violent attacks). I know a lot of people reading this lives in comparatively safe countries and may be used to a lifestyle that feels far away from violence. It's not. I know it feels overwhelming to even think about it when you still have all the bullshit of capitalism drudgery to address, when you're used to think of yourself as weak and helpless—but in numbers, no we aren't. Prepare to defend against the violence collectively, practicaly, concretely, and quick; cos take it from me, the violence is already preparing to visit you.
How to engage with & move through the disencourging wisps of doubt due to being surrounded by mass denial? Asking for a friend.
honestly one of the hardest parts. Being patient, and not shaming people for not caring, but instead inviting them to participate in things. I've had better turnouts at preparedness events than I woulda expected.
Thank you for articulating this so well.
I recently got involved in direct action to protect people from covid. I've worked on education to teach people how to use N95s, I've learned how to obtain N95s at cheap prices, and I'm learning how to distribute them. I'm not the one who started this, someone asked me to help and I said yes. Now I'm making connections with people in multiple countries who are taking action against covid. We also know we can use N95s against wildfire smoke, and someone I know also collects acid gas respirators to distribute after industrial disasters. My group only has the capacity to distribute N95s now, but I know a group who also loans out air filters to household members of people who tested positive and who have helped at least two people get paxlovid. It's incredible how simple this direct action is yet it saves people from disability and death. It's also the basis for a new community which I'm going to need as more shit hits the fan.
Hi Margaret, thank you for this excellent piece! In the spirit of this, I'm wondering if you might be willing to help connect me with Brooke and/or Casandra. Based on what they've mentioned in previous episodes of Live Like the World is Dying, they live maybe 15 miles north of my town (Albany) and they just seem like the raddest comrades. I've found a few good folks down here in my town, but it can be hard to find folks who have gotten past the "the state will save us, vote for more Dems" state of mind. I'm not comfortable sharing my contact info in this public space, but if you'd be willing to coordinate just a bit I'd be grateful!
Hugs & solidarity from Faren :)
hi there, i'm uncertain how to message you. Try reaching out to me on instagram @margaretkilljoy if you have that.
Thanks! Very inspiring
I love this and am so glad it exists, thank you for taking the time to chronicle this and share this. I have long covid from the one time I got it, and if I get it again I may be too disabled to work. Most of my pod is in the same boat. We are so isolated from others due to it being unsafe for us to gather IRL, which makes us even more vulnerable. I would add much of Leah Piepzna-Samarasinha's "a long winter crip survival guide for pandemic year 4/forever" https://www.tinyurl.com/longwintersurvival