COVID-19 PANDEMIC AFFECTS EVERYONE - Colorado Lions Clubs
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
A publica on of the Lions Clubs of Colorado Special Edion April 2020
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
AFFECTS EVERYONE
May you find this special issue informative - educational and inspirational and
perhaps comforting. Some information is repetitive...but presented in different
ways...hopefully you will find what you need to know as you browse these pages.
Remember, you are not alone. Your Lion Family is here near and far...reach out.
1MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
In this issue we have avoided polics. The intent of
this publicaon, as stated on the front page. We
encourage you to pracce social distancing by
choice; we don’t know enough about COVID-19 to
judge what is or is not safe. Look a0er yourself and
your family. Please, be smart about this.
2MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
3MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
The MD6 Colorado Lions
State Convention
has been cancelled due to the
COVID-19 Pandemic!
4MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
5MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Colorado Lions KidSight Program
April 2020
KidSight Screening
Thank you to our clubs and KidSight Colorado volunteers who have been busy with screening! 42,967 children have
been screened and 4,549 children referred, a 10.6% rate of referral.
KidSight Colorado is on Hiatus
Due to coronavirus we have basically shut down the program for now. If you have quesons regarding our program or
need informaon please contact Holly. Holly will be taking all calls and quesons regarding our KidSight program unl
further noce. Please check our Facebook page or website for any updates or new informaon. We will keep you post-
ed on when the program will be up and running again.
Road Trip and Plusop x So!ware Updates!
As soon as it is deemed safe to do some traveling I will be vising clubs with cameras to make sure that all of our equip-
ment is up to date and conduct any needed training. I am looking forward to meeng with club volunteers to make the
required updates, talk about screenings and any problems and of course say hello. I am looking forward to seeing every-
one on my travels.
Holly Rutherford-Allen
Execuve Director
720-325-7078
www.kidsightcolorado.org(website)
holly@kidsightcolorado.org (email)
A proud member of the ChaCield Lions Club
Lion Albert Weider
June 21, 1937 - April 4, 2020
Lion Al Wieder passed away from coronavirus on April 4. He had just moved to a Senior Care facility in early March.
To my knowledge this is the first Lion we have lost in MD6 to this pandemic. Services are undetermined due to virus
issues.
Lion Al was a wonderful Lion and member of the LiFleton Lions Club. He was a member of Lions Club Internaonal
since October of 1990. Lion Al served in many roles within his club including Club Director, Secretary, Treasurer, 1st
Vice President and President. He was also a Zone Chair in District 6C from 2010-2011. As a member of the LiFleton
Lions Club he was a vital part of the many projects they did including Western Welcome Week, Meals on Wheels, Kid-
Sight, eyeglass collecon and much more.
I originally met Lion Al when I joined the KidSight Program as Director. He truly enjoyed doing vision screenings and
interacng with the children. He was one of our fastest and most accurate vision screeners. Al aFended zone
meengs and district meengs even a0er he served as a zone chair.
I never saw Lion Al without a smile on his face and I will always remember him that way.
Lion Al - you will be missed!
Yours in Lionism,
Holly Rutherford-Allen
6C District Governor
6MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Our Clubs are Staying Busy…
The Greeley Lions Club - 6NE donated $500 to the Greeley Food Bank, and $500 to the Salvaon Army to help with
food distribuon, as so many residents are unemployed.
Fort Collins Lions Club - 6NE There are many groups and organizaons that we have helped over the years. Quite a few
of these have been working 24/7 to help our community during COVID19. We are serving by making monetary dona-
ons to them. Our first recipient was the FC Salvaon Army. We work with them annually, on their toy and canned
food drives along with their “Bell Ringer” program. Addionally, we are finalizing our list to other organizaons and
sending them donaons. A commiFee was formed to call each of our members to check in on them and see if anyone
is in need of assistance. Former members (who have moved out of Colorado) are also keeping in touch with us and
their greengs are passed on to our members. Our past CSU Club Presi-
dent is working for a major company involved in protecng health care
workers. He reached out to inform us about the situaon in New York. We
pray and hope that everyone will stay safe. Lions strong!
Fraser River Valley Lions Club - 6W:
We quit having our 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month member
meengs in March but re-started them virtually last week and will
connue having those for as long as needed.
Our board is meeng about every other week to understand how we
can work to help those affected the most in our community.
We have a group of folks that have volunteered to pick up donated
groceries from the local stores and deliver them to our primary social services organizaon here called Mountain
Family Center. The volunteers are also willing to go to grocery store and pharmacy if needed. Fortunately, these
requests have been very few so far.
We started call groups within the club as well as to others in the community to try to ensure no one is isolated in
these trying mes and if help is needed we can hopefully assist.
We have made 2 - $5000 donaons to our community rent assistance fund through Mountain Family Center since
they have a proven screening process for awarding these.
We have also donated $1000 in $50 gi0 cards to Mountain Family Center for those in
need.
We are sponsoring “PoP UP meals with 10-15 local restaurants that have been our sup-
porters over the years. We are donang $500 to $1000 to these restaurants to supply
~100 free meals to those most in need in our community. We’re doing 2-3 per week for
the next 3-5 weeks. This program helps the employers help their employees and those in
the most need.
We’ve had to postpone our 2 biggest fundraisers our golf tournament and our
campground management. We are hoping we can get back to work on both of these in
the not too distant future and sll have a reasonable fundraising year. In lieu of these
we have started an email fundraising effort reaching out to a number of folks that our
club has interacted with over the years. We just started an online fundraising effort and
are starng to see some fruits from that already.
We connue to plan for the unknown of the future and are trying to maintain our signifi-
cant community contribuons. While we understand we may need to make modifica-
ons to some of our giving programs we are working diligently planning on starng up
our usual fundraising efforts and thinking of new ways we might be able to support the
community and fundraise in these unprecedented mes.
Connued on following page...
7MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Connued from previous page
Holyoke Lions Club - 6NE: There are two Food Banks in our community and
word has it that they are both running very low. The Holyoke Lions made a
monetary donaon to each bank. In addion, some of the members made
monetary and/or food donaons.
Naonal Day of Prayer is the first Thursday in May when the Holyoke Lions
raise and lower 75 flags throughout their community and the Naonal Day of
Prayer CommiFee hosts a prayer service open to the public. Due to the pan-
demic and with less than 10 parcipants, the Naonal Day of Prayer Com-
miFee is preparing a "live" prayer service on Facebook and/or on You Tube
for viewing at 7:00 p.m. on May 7th. The Holyoke Lions are coordinang the
unfurling of the flags with the commiFee.
Thornton Lions Club - 6C: A member reports having done a lot in the baFle of Covid 19
1. Keeps his complex free of trash to help prevent the spread of the virus. He helped a resident take heavy items to
the dumpster who could not leave his home.
2. Went Grocery shopping for some elderly people who could not leave their home and making meals for friends who
could not get out.
3. Helped clean hand baskets and Carts at KIng Soopers to help stop the spread of Covid 19.
4. Delivered items from the office to workers who were under the stay at home order.
The Arvada Lions Club and the Golden Lions Club - 6C have been looking for service projects we can do during this
me. They have come up with an idea that they want to share with other clubs.
Project: Distribute masks to the homeless populaon within our community.
This group of people may be the most exposed group within our community as they
have no place to “Shelter in Place” and are not observing the social distancing recom-
mendaon. Wearing masks may be the only thing they can do but have no ability to
produce their own. Lion can help. “We Serve”
The feeling is that sewn mask will work beFer as the simple folded ones will come
apart quickly. Several paFerns exist for these masks and we are working to select a
good paFern for out masks.
Individual clubs may or may not have the resources to actually produce the number
of masks needed. We are going to reach out to our community for volunteer to make masks. In Arvada there is an Ar-
vada Neighbors Facebook group that we can post to obtain volunteers. In Golden there is a Quilt shop that is already
making masks. We will reach out to them. There is also a sewing group in Golden that would be perfect. Each club can
idenfy their own resources.
In Golden we will coordinate with the city to idenfy locaons for distribuon. In Arvada many congregate around the
library.
While all of the plans have not been finalized, we will create a poster that tells the homeless what we are doing and the
importance of wearing a mask. Then when masks are complete, pick them up outside in plasc bags and deliver to the
distribuon points. We may also include a small note telling them about the dangers of the virus.
If a club decides to do a similar project, me is crical. Every day people are mixing without a mask is another day the
virus is being spread.
Also, if you do this be sure to submit an arcle to the local newspaper. Good publicity for Lions and you may get more
volunteers to make more masks.
Connued on following page...
8MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Connued from previous page
Sterling Lions Club 6NE - Hello to all…hoping you are all safe and well during this me. The Sterling Lions Club has
made some difficult decisions in the past few weeks. The Elks Club where we meet on Tuesday has been closed, so at
the current me we are not able to get together. We will be looking at meeng when the stay at home orders are li0-
ed.
In the meanme we are meeng for our monthly board meeng and 100th Anniversary meeng by Zoom. (It’s a way of
geYng together through your computer). We connue to make plans for the 100th Birthday Celebraon in June. Our
plans are beginning to come together and excitement is beginning to build.
During this me of CoVid 19 we are trying to connue to be a club that helps to serve the Sterling Community. We had
originally planned to provide a Tuesday night meal for Under the Umbrella. This is an organizaon that feeds the
homeless and low income in the community twice a week. Because of the virus we are unable to meet and put the din-
ner together. So the club stepped up and gave $200 to the organizaon. Under the Umbrella is unable to cook but
they are providing sandwiches and other food items for those in need. The $200 helps to provide those food stuffs.
Arcle submiFed by Jodie Harless
DISTRICT 6W SERVING—1st VDG Paul Steinfort, PDG
Our video conferencing revealed that a number of clubs are doing a variety of things to stay relevant in service to their
communies. Fraser River Valley Lions has shared their great efforts already in this issue.
The Eagle Lions Club donated $4,000 to the Community Market which feeds people up and down the Eagle River Valley.
They added to their usual budget and sent a check to the Camp, which sll has to pay bills. And they awarded a cash
prize to a young lady who gave her speech contest speech on Zoom (we hadn’t been able to nofy her of the cancella-
ons).
The Montrose Lions Club donated $1,000 to the local Share in Ministry, a food bank and relief organizaon. They also
donated $4200 to the Lions Camp and sent a substanal amount to LCIF. And they donated $500 to the Dolphin House
Child Advocacy Center , which helps abused children
There are other examples. Palisade Lions is having a food drive Saturday the
11th. In New Castle, Lions’ spouses are making face masks for grocery clerks.
Cortez Lions are making masks for the fire department and helping neighbors
with grocery shopping. The Redlands Lions Club made a donaon to their ca-
terer who has not been able to work. They also donated $1,000 to the Colora-
do Lions Camp. Orchard Mesa donated $1,000 to the Salvaon Army from its
Farm Implement Aucon proceeds.
Our conferencing parcipants discussed many ways to help the elderly, first responders, health workers, impacted
neighbors, etc. We all agreed that we should wear Lions aYre/logo even if we’re working by ourselves or collaborang
with other community enes. When this is all over, our community people will remember that the Lions were there
to help in some way.
9MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
DISTRICT 6W CONNECTING
1st VDG Paul Steinfort, PDG
The 2nd of April, FVDG Paul Steinfort created a series of recurring meengs on Zoom for 7:00 p.m. Monday through
Thursday (April 6-9) and tled them “Connecng and Serving.” Invitaons were sent by email to over 100 club and
district officers and other Lions in the district, asking them to join one meeng or another (same basic agendas).
The purpose of the meengs was to check up on each other, to find out what needs clubs might have during this shut-
down, to promote video-conferencing meengs, to find out how clubs were serving during this me, and to share
unique service ideas in a unique me.
Response to the meengs was preFy good, considering it’s something new. Just under 50% of our clubs were repre-
sented one night or another. Without excepon, Lions enjoyed the face to face me and discussion, met new people,
and le0 with plans!
4-5 clubs are already using Zoom to meet, with others planning to re-start their meengs in this
way. Two clubs are having “Happy Hour” and “Cocktail Pares” by Zoom. We had at least three
reports of new members ready to join because of the virtual nature of club meengs.
At the district level, we will be using this plaCorm to train our 2020-21 Cabinet members and club
officers. This is a great alternave to our original plan of traveling to 5-6 locaons for training.
We’ve been clarifying with our users the privacy issues and what Zoom is doing to address those.
In a couple of weeks, we will be seYng up some meengs to discuss issues of membership and
reten on in these tough mes.
Clubs have been elecng officers digitally, through email. Boards of Directors have used confer-
ence calling. We are in the middle of district elecons using email noficaons and vong by Sur-
vey Monkey. And our Execuve team will start calling Presidents of clubs that didn’t join the meengs to find out how
their members are, and whether we can give them any service ideas.
SERVICE
"Any me you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasng your
me on Earth"… Roberto Clemente
As of this wring, averaging the hours and the monetary donaons given to the 6NE Lion communies is the follow-
ing: $43,800.00 giving to local food banks 3752 volunteer hours and 36,702 individuals (averaging 38 per member)
Lions have made a difference in their lives during the COVID-19.
For the first me, ALL Lions Clubs in 6NE have reported on MyLion!
During the first week of the COVID-19 Clubs were not siYng around wondering what they can do, members along
with Zone Chairs collaborated on what areas in their communies would be distressed the most. A game plan that
was selected, was to make sure all community foodbanks and pantries would be stocked. Necessary food drives,
can collecon and personal donaons was collected and distributed. As the virus and the “Stay at Home” order
was issued Lions made sure that the elderly, disabled and needy families received necessary items from the grocery
store by doing door to door deliveries. As weeks past, Lion members were geYng reports that their grandkids/
friends did not have the necessary supplies for schooling at home. Within hours Lions were donang not only mon-
etary donaons to the schools, but school supplies, lap tops and healthy snacks. Leos pitched in by providing the
legwork for the Lions.
Lions are partnering up with other non-profits and local first responders and together they are making sure the
needs of the community are being met. One of the most amazing and creave events was making a meal for fami-
lies in need. Rotarians donated money, Lions cooked stew and first responders delivered.
When DG Lion Michelle calls on Club Presidents to see what the District can do to help them out, the majority re-
sponds by saying “Nothing at this me. We are connuing to do what we can and making sure that all members
are being safe.”
6NE GST Lion Kenneth
10MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
A Community’s Greatest Asset During a Pandemic…LIONS
As communies across America grapple with the growing threat of the coronavirus, this much is clear – not only are
public service workers going above and beyond the call of duty to serve their communies, they are also looking out for
one another in selfless and inspiring ways.
As confirmed cases of COVID-19 have climbed in the state and as schools, government agencies and businesses large
and small have shut their doors, the 6NE Lion members are taking maFers into their own hands.
6NE Lions have formed a task force to look out for, protect and support each other through this difficult me. It’s Lion-
ism in acon. And by taking care of each other, they are able to take care of their community that much beFer.
In Zone D, for example, we have a long-me member whose husband has stage four brain can-
cer. She doesn’t feel comfortable going out to the pharmacy or to Walmart to pick up a loaf of
bread because she doesn’t want to carry the virus back to him. So, she called a Club member
and he/she will go to the drive-thru window at the pharmacy or to the grocery store and deliver
those much-needed items to her.
“We’re not going to let anybody go without their meds, if it’s a severe need, they can call any
Club member”. “We’re all taking care of each other because we’re family,” said Club President
Lion Bill Janssen
Since schools closed in mid-March as a result of the outbreak, many Clubs have been
providing schools with paper, pencils, crayons and needed lap tops and 6NE Lion
Clubs are donang can goods and monies for their communies’ food banks and
making sure everyone who needs a meal gets one.
Despite the threat of the virus, 6NE Lion members are not “siYng around thinking
what they should do” but are determined to connue serving their communies.
Thank you 6NE Lion member for remembering our moFo “WE SERVE”.
Please be safe and stay well,
Yours in Lionism,
VERY PROUND 6NE District Governor
Lion Michelle McGowan
The Gill Lions and Gilleos are helping during the COVID 19 crisis by making sure our community is safe and delivering
membership informaon care packets. 210 have been delivered before the stay in place order. DG Lion Michelle also
didn't want to forget about literacy so the club members raided the "Free LiFle Library" collecon and delivered books
within the community.
11MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
The global pandemic has changed the way we live. Contained in our homes, we must reorient our approach to our col-
leagues, clients, family and friends. While you might feel a massive loss of control, there are some important takea-
ways to learn from this moment in me.
Kristen Lee, Ed.D., LICSW, lead faculty for behavioral science at Northeastern University, says there are nine lessons we
can draw upon for individual and collecve fortude. We share Dr. Lee's lessons in this issue of Promoonal Consultant
Today.
Lesson 1: Intellectual humility is vital. We are not all public health experts. We are an evolved civilizaon with extraor-
dinary advances in science and medicine and access to informaon. Dr. Lee says we must all consider the sources we
rely on and how we transmit informaon across our spheres of social influence.
Lesson 2: Time-outs are not always punishments. We are creave, innovave, agile creatures. Moments of distress call
us to rethink our typical rounes and idenfy new strategies for coping and living. Dr. Lee says this pause might prove
to be a return to creavity for many who might find it has been squeezed out during typical rounes.
Lesson 3: We are more resilient than we realize. Humans are wired for resilience. Dr. Lee asserts that resilience can
increase even during difficult mes when we focus on acvies that help to culvate it. Join forces with people who co-
nurture and provide reciprocal support.
Lesson 4: Kindness is contagious. While fear and illness itself can be contagious, so are acts of love and kindness. When
we focus energy on helping those who are most vulnerable in mes of crisis, the posive effects spread and strengthen
our collecve well-being.
Lesson 5: Challenges help us discover our strengths and resources. Dr. Lee reminds others that we have a host of inter-
nal and external resources to harness, including strong analycal and problem-solving abilies and people and places
that provide solace and grounding.
Lesson 6: The basics are not basic. The elements of air, water, earth and fire are unparalleled. Spend me appreciang
nature and get outside as much as is safe and possible, recommends Dr. Lee. Watch sunrises and sunsets from your
window. Find ways to take in the elements.
Lesson 7: There are no wrong emoons. Pandemics can evoke powerful emoons, including fear, anxiety, shock and
panic. Don't stress about being stressed. This is human, says Dr. Lee. Take me to name what is happening and consid-
er what resources you can access to help you.
Lesson 8: Self-care is essenal all the me. Crises can show us that we were previously running on fumes. There's no
health without mental health. Proper sleep, nutrion, hydraon and exercise can go a long way towards boosng our
mental reserves, notes Dr. Lee.
Lesson 9: Mindfulness helps us combat mindlessness. When we focus on the now and engage in a non-judgmental
stance, it strengthens our resilience and capacity to enjoy what is and cope with what isn't.
As you connue to adapt during these mes, reflect on the lessons above and consider how you can help share them
with your team members.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Kristen Lee, Ed.D., LICSW is lead faculty for behavioral science at Northeastern University. She is the author
of Reset: Make the Most of Your Stress and Mentalligence: A New Psychology of Thinking. Dr. Lee has also given a TED
talk called "The Risk You Must Take."
Submi$ed by PDG Cathy Valenzuela
12MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Creating community is important to building resilience to a public health emergency, but it can be incredibly diffi-
cult to do in a pandemic.
On its surface, the idea of coming together to prepare and build resilience contradicts CDC’s guidance to put
distance between yourself and other people (i.e., physical distancing). However, there are less traditional ways
to create and strengthen community that don’t require people to get closer than 6 feet; many don’t necessitate
leaving your house at all.
Care for Each Other
Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with
their stress can also make your community stronger.
Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick, except to get medical care.
Stay in contact. Call, text, or email family and friends to ask how they are doing and to offer your support. If
someone you care about is feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feels
like they want to harm themselves or others, call 911. People can also call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1
-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517).
Help kids cope. Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset.
Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
Talk with your kids about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer their questions and share facts about COVID-19
in a way that they can understand.
Limit their exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media.
Try to keep up with regular routines. If schools are closed, create a schedule for learning activities and relax-
ing or fun activities.
Get Involved
In a pandemic, the idea of getting involved in your community means doing so from a safe distance. Here are
some ways to do that:
Check-in (from a safe physical distance of at least 6 feet) with family, friends, and neighbors—
especially those who are at high-risk at getting seriously ill and social distancing–to make sure they have
enough supplies, including personal needs and prescriptions.
Counter stigma. Don’t let fear and anxiety about a disease erode empathy toward people. Everyone can
help stop stigma related to COVID-19 by knowing and sharing key facts with others in your community.
13MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Practice social distancing. Right now, one of the best ways to ‘get involved’ is to stay at home. Social
distancing is one of the best ways to protect yourself, your family, and the most vulnerable from COVD-19.
Improve Access
Help your neighbors find information and resources they need to …
Share key facts about the outbreak. Increase people’s access to reliable information about COVID-19
and how to protect yourself. Help to share facts, guidance, and answers to frequently asked questions with
people in your social networks at work, school, and online.
Raise awareness of resources and downloads, including Ready Wrigley activity books, FEMA’s Ready
2 Help card game, and other free educational materials.
Lead by Example
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus, which means taking simple everyday
preventive actions to protect yourself and those around you. Inspire others to do the same by modeling
healthy habits.
Practice self-care.
Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. Here are some
things you can do to support yourself:
Take breaks from television and social media.
Get plenty of rest, exercise, and eat well.
Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how
you are feeling.
Cover coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue
when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tis-
sues in the trash and wash your hands immediately after.
Handwashing. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20
seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing
your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available,
use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
For more information on how to prepare and protect yourself from COVID-19, please visit https://
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Resources
Helping Children Cope with Emergencies (CDC)
Manage Anxiety & Stress (CDC)
Prepare Your Health: Get Involved (CDC)
Prepare Your Health: Care for Each Other (CDC)
Posted on March 30, 2020 by Blog Administrator
Categories Disease Outbreak, General, mental health, personal health, prevention, public
health, response
Tags Care for Each Other, coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, Create Community, physical distanc-
ing, Prepare Your Health, Ready Wrigley
14MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Physical Distancing & the Joy of Joining In
Physical distancing is the act of avoiding crowded places and putting space between yourself and others. In
practical terms, it means staying at home (mostly) and away from public places, such as restaurants, where
people get together.
It’s a prescription that goes double for people who are at higher risk of getting
very sick from this illness: older adults and people who have severe underlying
chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.
Community Nonpharmaceutical Interventions
Community nonpharmaceutical intervention (or NPIs) are strategies used to
help slow the spread of an infectious disease like COVID-19. The most com-
mon of these are physical distancing and closures, including the temporary
closing of places and canceling of events that attract large crowds.
The goal of community NPIs is to slow the spread and reduce the impact of dis-
ease on public health and healthcare systems.
The rationale for using NPIs is that the slower the spread of the disease, the
fewer people who are sick at any given time, and the better the care that sick
people get, the better the outcomes.
Find the Joy of Joining In
At a time when physical distancing and closures are the new normal, how can people get past the “fear of
missing out” feeling?
Rather than focus on what you’re missing out, try to find the Joy of Joining In on physical distancing and the
opportunities it presents.
The Internet and social media can be a place of misinformation and stigma, but also of hope (e.g., quarantined
Italians singing from balconies), resilience (e.g., an elderly couple ‘cruising’ in their living room), humor (a ham-
ster taking everyday protective actions), and good ideas if you know where to look.
Here are 10 ways you and your family can also make the best of a bad situation.
Read or listen to a book.
Take a walk outside. Some state and local parks have waived fees.
Download, photocopy, and share free Ready Wrigley activity books on topics, such as winter weather, hur-
ricane, and tornado preparedness.
Try out a new recipe out of your favorite cookbook or submit one to the Emergency Kit Cook-Off.
Play a board game, put together a puzzle, or learn a new card game, such as FEMA’s Ready 2 Help.
Do some spring cleaning around the house or weeding in the garden, or check things off the “honey do”
list.
Take a virtual tours of art museums and zoos, such as:
Louvre Museum in Paris, France
Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy
National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Guggenheim Museum in New York
The San Diego Zoo
Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif.
Call, text, and video chat with family and friends; especially, older adults and people who have serious un-
derlying medical conditions. Connecting with others can help reduce stress and anxiety in yourself and oth-
ers.
15MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Do arts and crafts, such as coloring pages and paint-by-number projects, at home with the kids.
Perform science experiments. The Internet is full of instructions for making everything from rock candy to
a lava lamp.
For more information on how to prepare and protect yourself from COVID-19, please visit https://
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
References
Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings (CDC)
How to Protect Yourself (CDC)
Manage Anxiety and Stress (CDC)
Posted on March 26, 2020 by Blog Administrator
Categories Disease Outbreak, General, mental health, personal
health, preparedness, prevention, public health, response
16MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Be Prepared by Staying Informed About COVID-19
The U.S. Government, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is coordinating an
emergency response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, and it’s rapidly evolving situa-
tion.
As new information and updated guidance becomes available, CDC is using traditional and digital methods,
including social media, to inform the whole community, including schools, businesses, and healthcare profes-
sionals.
Rumor Has it
At the same time, rumors and misinformation will continue to pop up on social media and may even find their
way into the conversations people have with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. In a rapidly changing
situation like the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for people to know how to stay informed and to talk with
the people around them.
Whether they know it or not, people can support the response by helping to share facts, guidance, and an-
swers to frequently asked questions with people in their social networks at work, school, and online.
Need help distinguishing rumor from fact? Visit FEMA’s Rumor Control webpage for current and accurate
myth-busting information about the COVID-19 response.
FAQs
How can my family and I prepare for COVID-19?
Create an emergency action plan:
Talk with our family about what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community.
Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications, particularly older adults
and those with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease.
Make sure they have access to several weeks of personal needs and prescription medications in case you
need to stay home for prolonged periods of time.
Get to know your neighbors and find out if your neighborhood has a website or social media page to stay
connected.
Create a list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need access
to information, healthcare services, support, and resources.
Create an emergency contact list of family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, healthcare providers, teach-
ers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.
How can I prepare for COVID-19 at work?
Talk to your employer about their emergency response plans, including sick-leave policies and telework op-
tions. Learn how businesses and employers can plan for and respond to COVID-19.
How can I stay informed about COVID-19?
A big part of staying informed an emergency is knowing where to turn for timely, consistent, and reliable infor-
mation. Bookmark CDC’s COVID-19 response webpage, and follow only trusted sources on social media,
including handles run by CDC and state and local public health departments.
How can I prepare in case my child’s school, childcare facility, or university is dismissed?
Talk to the school or facility about their emergency operations plan. Understand the plan for continuing educa-
tion and social services (such as student meal programs) during school dismissals. If your child attends
a college or university, encourage them to learn about the school’s plan for a COVID-19 outbreak.
How can I and my family reduce our risk of getting COVID-19?
Practice everyday preventive actions to help reduce your risk of getting sick and remind everyone in your
home to do the same. These actions are especially important for older adults and people who have severe
17MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
chronic medical conditions:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose,
coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects
(e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles).
I heard that someone’s dog tested positive for COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Should I be worried about my
dog getting infected and passing on the infection to others?
At this time, there is no evidence that pets, including dogs, can spread COVID-19. There is no reason to think
that any animals, including pets, in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus.
However, it is recommended that persons with COVID-19 should restrict their contact with pets as they would
other household members, and it is important to include pets in your family’s preparedness planning efforts.
As important as it is to stay informed of situation, there is such a thing as too much information. Try to limit
your family’s exposure to news, including social media, coverage of the event. Children can misinterpret what
they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
Click here for more frequently asked questions and answers on topics including COVID-19 symptoms, travel,
and personal protective equipment.
Resources
Share Facts About COVID-19
Public Health Matters: Social Scuttlebutt? Be Prepared to Stay Informed in an Emergency
COVID-19 Communication Resources
Posted on March 30, 2020 by Blog Administrator
Categories Disease Outbreak, General, mental health, personal health, public health, response
Tags coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, misinformation, Prepare Your Health, rumor, stay informed
18MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Membership During the Coronavirus Crisis
You don’t need me to tell you that the world is currently in crisis and that countries are starng to take measures
we’ve never seen before.
As more and more people are forced to social distance or self-isolate, and the economy starts to feel the repercus-
sions, it’s natural to feel anxious and uncertain about what this means for you, your loved ones, and your Lions Club.
While many Lions Clubs are being forced to take drasc measures right now, or even siYng around wondering about
the foreseeable future, what are the rules on this? Should you sll be markeng your membership when the world is
in crisis? Is it insensive to worry about higher churn at a me like this? How can you beFer help your members right
now?
The first thing I want to make clear though is that this is an unprecedented me. None of us really know what the
best thing to do is, so all you can do is what feels right for you and your Club members.
Show Up and Serve
The most important thing that any Lion can do right now is show up for their members and their community. This is-
n’t the me to go AWOL.
What is happening right now is affecng everyone to some degree, and that includes your members. They’re likely
feeling the same anxiety and uncertainty that you are, and now is the me to reassure them, to point them to re-
sources that can help them, to create relevant content or simply just open up the space for members to connect
more in this me of weird social rules.
If your members are parcularly hard hit by this situaon, then look at ways you can ease that burden by simply giv-
ing more resources to help them through this challenge.
In fact, your membership could be an important and much needed distracon at a me when the world feels like a
scary place and people are spending more me at home or alone than ever before. You’ve got an important role to
play in keeping people sane during this me, so encourage members to make use of your membership and serve
them how best you can.
It’s absolutely okay to sll be menoning how we can serve people at this me. In fact, Clubs can probably help a lot
of people and have a major posive impact by doing so.
That said you do want to be sure you’re not seen to be making light of or taking advantage of the current situaon,
rule of thumb is to think ‘how would I feel if I saw this right now?’ Just as you need to show up for your members, you
also need to show up for your community in any way you can (but not at the expense of your own health for running
yourself into the ground won’t help anyone).
Be Proac ve & Innovate
First things first – don’t rush into anything out of panic. Take a deep breath
and assess the situaon and what you can actually do at this me. This can
actually be a great me to innovate! So, what problem can you solve for
people right now and how?
If you have extra me then make use of this to further your Clubs now, so
that you’re in a good posion when things start to go back to normal. It’s
maybe not the best me to actually launch your membership (although it
depends on the membership and where you’re located) but you can cer-
tainly take advantage of the extra me you may have staying at home in
order to build your site, set new goals, plan your markeng etc.
Lean Into It
The truth is we don’t know exactly how things are going to go and how long this situaon will last. Things are uncer-
tain right now, and people are panicking because of that, but as things seFle down over the next few weeks, we’ll
hopefully find a ‘new normal’ and things won’t feel quite so intense.
Connued on following page...
19MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
...Connued from previous page
So now probably isn’t the best me to make any big decisions about your membership growth. Let the dust seFle
first.
What you can do during this me though is think about what you can do now, so that when things do return to nor-
mal you can hit the ground running.
What about plan an epic launch or promoon for when you’re ready to go all out with markeng Lionism again?
The honest truth is we’re likely all facing extended periods at home and a change to our social habits, so lean into
that and see how you can turn it to your advantage in the long run. What can this me make possible for Club mem-
bers?
And remember you’re not going through this alone.
Yours in Lionism.
MD6 GMT
PDG2 Lion Kenneth Moore
20MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Although the doors are closed at the Ensight Skills Center
and Curs Strong Center, the staff connue to provide
services. Our occupaonal therapy team, by phone,
skype and zoom, are staying in touch with their current
paents making sure they are well and answering quesons. Working remotely with people who have vision loss is a
challenge to say the least. Ensight is sll offering support groups via Zoom meengs and one on one counseling is avail-
able by telecommunicaons. We connue to make sure people have the equipment they might need to remain inde-
pendent.
One special program we are working on is the US Census. We are collaborang with the Denver Regional Council of
Governments (DRCOG) to remind and assist older adults regarding the Census. It is so important to make sure that you
are counted, Lions! So, we are making calls to the 8 Denver counes in the region and reminding the adults age 60+
who are in our data base that their informaon is very important and to stand up and be counted.
The 2020 Census will determine congressional representaon, inform hundreds of billions in federal funding every year,
and provide data that will impact communies for the next decade. So Fellow Lions, if you are over the age of 60 and
want to be counted please fill out your Census or go online to hFps://my2020census.gov/ This is also the first year that
the census can be filled out online and everyone should receive a code in the mail that will give you access online. If
you need any assistance, Ensight can help you fill the census out. Just give us a call at 970-407-9999 or email Melody at
Melody@ensightskills.org to get signed up and we will have a volunteer call you to complete the census.
Thanks to all the Lions Clubs of Colorado who partner with the Ensight Skills Center to make the lives of the blind and
visually impaired beFer.
Stay safe, stay healthy
Denny Moyer, CEO
Ensight Skills Center and Curs strong Center.
Wear your mask and gloves!
Wash your hands!
The life you save may be
your own…
or that of a family member.
21MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
22MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Leos Stepping Up in Their Communi es
We keep hearing what Lions should be doing, suggesons on what to do and talk about siYng
around and wondering what we can do.
I am proud to see the 6NE Leos not just talking the talk but stepping up and taking acons within
their communies. As of wring this arcle, Leos have volunteered over 500 hours of assisng the
elderly since the beginning of the pandemic.
“Where there is a need there is a Lion but when acon needs to be done Leos make that happen!” said Leo Marco as
he delivered groceries to an elderly family in Gill. Many of the elderly in Gill are afraid to go into public and risk spread-
ing the virus into their homes. Leos of the Leos Grandparents and family members are grateful for the services the Le-
os have been doing for them. “I just can’t sit at home and wait for the government to decide what we need to do” said
Leo Martha “We have the me and there is a need to make a difference within our community”,
Leos throughout 6NE know the importance of social net-
working and they are puYng it to work. The Leos Club in
Longmont communicates regularly with the Gill Leos to
find more resources and ideas to help. One of the most
creave ideas so far, Leos are teaching 21st century tech-
nology to 20th century learners. They are showing their
Grandparents how to order groceries on line and seYng
them up in social networks so they can communicate with
family and friends on real me.
“I have learned paence and beFer communicaon skills working with the elderly” said Leo Nicholas. “I must remem-
ber to use Grandparents words and not my words to explain things “.
Leos know the seriousness of this virus and have been instructed by Leo Club Advisors to wear their cloth masks, keep-
ing their social distancing and washing hands connuously.
Leo Ashley commented “the support from the Lions Clubs in our communies have been amazing, when we found out
that many of our classmates were lacking in school supplies at home Lions got the supplies for us to deliver to them.”
She also stated “seeing our Club Lions leadership in our community, I know I am able to count on them and I am en-
couraged to be a proud Lion when I turn eighteen.
“I love that the Leos are stepping up and making the difference” said DG Lion Michelle. “Knowing how these Leos feel
about their communies and seeing the acons they are taking I know that Lionism has a strong future when Leos turn
to Lions”.
SubmiFed by,
Proud 6NE Leo Advisor Lion Lecia Galindo
23MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
LONG RANGE PLANNING
It’s no secret, everything’s going digital...
During this pandemic, meengs, events, methods of communicaon — you
name it, it’s all going online. That said, is an online event, such as a virtual con-
ference, something your District should consider? And if you do go that route,
how do you even get started?
Virtual meengs are becoming increasingly common yet many meengs strug-
gle to perform effecvely. Lion leaders need to consider how they adapt and
expand their skills to adjust to the lack of human interacon – they need addional skills but they also need to be
aware of how and when they use the skills they have.
So, what specific skills are needed when it comes to virtual meengs, there are actually several in comparison to tradi-
onal in-person events:
1.Transparent Communica on
Excellent communicaon skills are essenal for virtual meengs for members who don’t have the luxury of face-to-face
communicaon but instead have to rely much more on text or voice only communicaon.
Without the benefits of non-verbal cues, it can be much harder to interpret the real intenon of what is being said and
know what the speaker is really thinking. Holding virtual meengs, you must ensure that your communicaon is clear
and unambiguous and that you make sure not only that you fully understand but, that you are understood yourself.
Here are some ps for virtual communicaon:
Communicate regularly and frequently but don’t overload your members with informaon.
Very long emails or online meengs should be avoided
Make me for regular one-to-one communicaon with individual members as well as group emails and meengs.
Picking up the phone to see how someone is doing is usually appreciated and is certainly the best method if you
have something sensive to discuss
Paraphrase and summarize when you are giving complicated instrucons and check back that you have been un-
derstood
Parcularly with new members be wary of using jargon or acronyms that they may not understand
Listen a$envely and be ready to read between the lines. Ask the right quesons to check that you have under-
stood
2. Pa ence
Working virtually is challenging. Technology can let you down, response mes may be longer if you are working across-
me zones and a lack of face-to-face communicaon can make it so much harder to interpret the real message.
You may also have language and cultural barriers to manage. Parcularly in the early stages of your virtual meengs,
you are going to have to flex your paence muscle: things will take longer, interpersonal irritaons and upsets may well
occur, people won’t always say what they really think, meengs won’t always go to plan and you will need to remain
posive and focused on achieving your goals.
You are likely to need a lot of paence!
3. Rapport-Building
Virtual meengs risk losing the human element and so Club leaders need to be highly skilled in building relaonships
and creang good rapport with their members.
A regular quarterly or even annual face-to-face meeng will help enormously to build posive team relaonships. And
do make sure you use any face-to-face me wisely and focus on team-building acvies rather than on updates and
reporng that can just as easily be done at a distance. Connued on following page...
24MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Connued from previous page
4. Results-Focus
Of course, all Club leaders need to focus on results but one of the challenges of managing a virtual meeng is that you
can’t see what the members are doing or monitor their performance in the same way and so you can only really man-
age, measure and reward based on outcomes and results.
When managing virtual meengs, it is crucial to have clear individual accountabilies in place with agreed methods of
monitoring and measuring performance.
5. Technology Skills
Virtual meengs rely on technology to interact with each other and share informaon and you need to lead by exam-
ple and demonstrate excellent technical skills.
You want to be able to select the right tools and plaCorms for your members and match each task or interacon type
to the most appropriate mode of communicaon. And it goes without saying that you should be a competent user and
be able to stay calm and trouble-shoot when technology lets you down.
Select a relavely small number of tools that can be used regularly and consistently but also be aware of how members
prefer to communicate. You might find you get a faster response from some colleagues by using an Instant Chat func-
on while others prefer the human contact of a quick Skype call.
MD6 Long Range Planning Chair
PDG2 Lion Kenneth Moore
25MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Service Opportuni es and Ways to Help
The following are opportunies that you may want to invesgate if you are looking for ways to serve during our
Covid 19 epidemic. I will post addional opportunies that come available on our District 6C Facebook page and
encourage 6C Lions to do the same.
Take Care of Yourself - It is important to make sure you are well before you begin to provide assistance to
others.
Wash Your Hands - Vigorously and for 20 seconds every me
Prac ce Social Distancing - Six feet is a minimum but 10 feet is even beFer
Check on your Neighbors - I am calling my parents regularly to check on them and please consider calling
other club members, neighbors and friends to make sure they are doing okay. If you absolutely need to go to the
grocery store check with others to see if you can pick up something they need, especially if they are elderly.
Donate to a Food Bank - As you know we are sll seeing empty grocery shelves and this scarcity is affecng
local food banks as well. If you can, consider donang any extra food you may have to your local food bank or do-
nate money for the food bank to purchase food.
Volunteer with Meals on Wheels - Some programs are looking for volunteers to help deliver meals. How-
ever, some programs may also need volunteers who serve by providing “telephone reassurance” programs to help
with isolaon that may be occurring with seniors that are not able to leave their home. Check with your local Meals
on Wheels program.
Help People Experiencing Homelessness - Check with your closest homeless shelter to see what needs
they have. The homeless are at risk for COVID 19 and because they o0en live in groups for safety, they can pass the
virus on to others.
Donate to a Nonprofit or Volunteer with one - Many nonprofits have had to cease operaons so finan-
cial contribuons can help when they get up and running again. You can check with local nonprofits to see what
they need.
Donate Blood - It is safe for healthy people to donate blood and supplies are needed. Help Colorado Now -
The state of Colorado COVID 19 Response Team is looking forvolunteers who can share reliable informaon, pro-
vide virtual support, deliver food, medicaon, and medical supplies. Go to covrn.com and scroll down to the area
where you can click the volunteer buFon. You can also sign up as a Neighborhood Team Leader here.
Pediatric Cancer - People with cancer are at high risk for Covid 19. The Morgan Adams Foundaon, located in
Denver works with children who have cancer and raises money for childhood cancer research. See the flyer in this
newsleFer regarding how you can help with a virtual event they are holding on April 3.
Stay Safe! DG Holly
26MANE LIONER Special Edion April 2020
Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Ins tute Founda on
-PID John Harper, President
The RMLEIF Board of Trustees met by internet in March as it was the beginning of social distancing for the Coronavirus.
The next meeng was scheduled to be at the MD6 Convenon in Greeley. This was to have been our Annual Meeng re-
quired by our Constuon and By-laws. Plans for replacing this meeng are not decided at this me. Acvies around
fund raising are non-existent unl we all can see what the new normal is as we come out of the pandemic.
Our Mission 20/20! Fundraising effort is nearly two thirds of the way to our goal of $250,000, having received several very
generous donaons and pledges. Work has begun on the shell space on the fourth floor. Funds raised by the Foundaon
will to be used as the required match for grants from LCIF to equip five exam rooms.
The Foundaon is the recipient of two gi0s recently that are the results of Lions who placed the Foundaon in their wills.
Gi0s have also been received from memorials. We encourage Lions to do their legacy planning and of course would like
to be remembered in those plans. Please be safe during the Coronavirus pandemic. Delay these gi0s as long as possible!
There is opportunity for new members to be added to the Board of Trustees, with Districts 6 NE and 6 SE trustee posions
up for elecon this year. Interested Lions must be in good standing with their clubs, as well as the clubs themselves being
in good standing. They should be endorsed by their club with that informaon submiFed to the appropriate District Gov-
ernor and their Cabinet Secretary to be on the District ballot, if District Elecons are being held. With convenons having
been canceled the DG from 6 SE and 6 NE shall appoint the trustee. Current trustees are term limited in those two posi-
ons and not eligible for elecon. Informaon about the Foundaon and the dues of the Trustees can be received by
contacng the current Trustee for their District of the Officers as listed in the Colorado Lions Directory. There is also great
informaon on www.rmleif.org .
Thank you, DG Dave Parker, for appoinng PDG Bob Johannes to fill the vacant trustee posion in 6 W. Welcome PDG
Bob to the Foundaon Board of Trustees.
Cell Sight at UC has announced that the research about being able to transplant manmade renas is progressing so quickly
that they have been placing manmade rena cells in the eyes of pigs. This is an excing me in medical technology.
Who would have ever dreamed back in the 1980’s how this Lions project would prosper? The Colorado and Wyoming Li-
ons have much to be proud. When you drive down Colfax and see the medical buildings, remember that it was the Rocky
Mountain Lions Eye Instute that was the first building on the Campus. It was the Lions who were standing there with
cash in hand that was the seed money to start the enre complex. The Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Instute remains the
only building on Campus that is solely dedicated to one discipline, ophthalmology. We serve magnificently.
PS: Just in from Dr. Naresh Mandava, at Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Instute
Dear John,
RMLEI connues to see urgent and emergent paents at this me. We are sll seeing over a hundred paents a day but
this is approximately 15 percent of our regular volumes. We are not operang on roune cataracts but are operang on
paents with urgent eye issues that cannot wait during this lockdown period. We are hopeful that we are seeing a
"flaFening of the curve" in Colorado and are hopeful with the current guidelines of social distancing that we will avoid an
overflow of the ICU's. We think that we will be able to care for our paents with non-urgent issues in the coming
months. In the meanme, we are constantly on the phone discussing issues that can be handled on the phone and we are
available for emergent or urgent ocular issues. We wish you all the best in this difficult me and are hopeful we will be
successful in launching our programs when it is safer to do so. Our research teams are sll acve working from home and
have been successful connuing to manage the safety of the labs and ongoing experiments without adding new experi-
ments. We all are spending a great deal of me on videoconferencing and are planning for the future of the program
which looks very bright. We hope to see you soon in our facilies when the situaon improves.
Best,
Naresh
27You can also read
