March 18, 2020
 
Dear Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, and Friends of Rotary,
 
We are Rotarians, People of Action.
When our community needs us, we are there.
I am asked, "Dave, what can we do?"
The answer: STAY HOME!
 
Unless you are employed in a critical service industry, STAY HOME.
 
You can be helpful from home.  KEEP IN CONTACT with friends and neighbors, especially those who live alone.  Inquire about both their physical and mental well-being.  We expect depressed mood and even suicidal thoughts when people are isolated for extended periods of time.  ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY in your community.  Trust that cash donations to your local food bank will get to those in need.
 
If you are under 65 and otherwise healthy, there may be a limited role for hands on activity, such as delivering "Meals on Wheels," bringing medication from a pharmacy to your neighbor, or providing brief childcare for a single parent who needs to get groceries.
 
Be of counsel, electronically, to your children and grandchildren not in your household.  Social isolation will be increasingly difficult for them psychologically, but so necessary for the health of our community.  They will want to "hang with their friends."  Stress that someone could die if they do that, and that is not an exaggeration.  
 
Live to serve another day!

Dave Hannan
District 7120 Governor 2019-2020
Rotary Connects the World