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It occurred to me a few days ago how lucky I am that I was finally able to get a job after ~8 months, move most of the way across the US to do so, start it mere weeks before this quarantine was ordered, and to be working at a place that was able and willing to set up remote work.
Even during garden-variety unemployment, benefits were a nightmare to navigate and obtain, and were insufficient. With a huge uptick in people losing their jobs and the rate of hiring grinding to a halt, I really cannot imagine how worse it is right now.
I got flown out for a job interview back in October, and the studio had a driver take me to and from the airport. I talked with the guy about my situation, and he asked me "when you lost your job, did your coworkers offer to help you pay your bills? Cover rent?"
I mentioned a couple of people buying me a meal or two, but largely, no.
He said "you need better friends".
He said "you need better friends".
I think he was being a bit blunt. Obviously not everyone was in a position to spot me money; the people who bought me lunch were doing what they could. And when I DID need to cover rent around New Year, I went asking and a couple of people came through.
But I realized in that moment, that if it had been someone else who were laid off, and not me, I might not have jumped to support them at that time. It hadn't occurred to me that I *could* do that.
(props to @LoLMarcus__ who was the exception there, who did proactively offer support)
I just recently paid my friends back, and it feels like I just finally regained financial stability in time for millions of people to lose it again. I'm looking for ways to support people, because there for the grace of God I would've gone.
Don't be a dingus like me and wait for someone to make this connection for you; if you're in a position to help, please seek out how you can. If someone you know has been affected, offer to buy their groceries, pay their utilities, cover their rent if you have the funds to do so.
There have also been a number of mutual aid organizations and funds that have sprung up in the past month. If you can, find if there's one in your city and donate, whether that's cash or supplies they're short on.
Even outside of financial assistance, there are a number of petitions and bills on the state and local level in the US calling for freezes on rent, mortgages, debt collection, and utility shutoffs. Sign and volunteer if you can.
Don't know if there are any rent strikes that are asking for funds from the public, but please help them if you can. And OF COURSE if people in your building are organizing a rent strike HELP THEM even if you're able to pay for yourself.
As @NicBoone said to me once, "Solidarity is more than feeling bad, you actually have to do something".
