FEATURE
WWW.BENDSOURCE.COM / MARCH 25, 2021 / BEND’S INDEPENDENT VOICE
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One year into the pandemic, Central Oregon community members on what they’ve learned and how this past year has changed them By Nicole Vulcan
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t’s a simple premise: After one year of living with COVID-19 and coming to terms with our nation’s legacy of institutional racism, we wanted to know, what have those experiences taught us? And beyond that, how have they changed us? The Source Weekly reached out to a host of local leaders and community members to get their takes on these two simple questions.
Joanne Mina, Volunteer Coordinator with Latino Community Association; Indivisible Bend steering committee member The coronavirus pandemic brought us into the beginning of a collective reckoning, yet the messaging from our leaders to prioritize economic wealth at the expense of our community health made the work of caring for our collective and individual health much more difficult. During the past year I learned to prioritize my health and the health of others because true wealth is found within the people we love. It is the love we have for one another that has prevailed over hate or sickness, and it’s because of prioritizing people over profit that we have seen the rise of mutual aid and solid support for “socialist” programs like PPP, stimulus checks. the Oregon workers relief fund, Unemployment Insurance, etc. To come out of a crisis, whether COVID or racism, it is the people loving and caring for people that will get the change done. Now I more deeply understand the importance of removing myself from spaces that do not have a praxis that matches my values. The importance of moving to connect with people and teams centered on common values and grounded on restorative and affirming practices feels like a no brainer now. This is also true for organizations, partnerships with other organizations
that share similar values, serve the community in a more equitable and just way than if values are disjointed. After 2020 I no longer look for a bright future, I make my present worth savoring and for that the people you are with are everything. Katy Brooks, CEO/President, Bend Chamber Biggest lessons: Responding to a crisis takes a well-coordinated effort. While there was some early scrambling as Central Oregon leaders and organizations tried to provide information and assistance, we all learned pretty quickly the value of achieving much more through collaboration. Personally, the isolation is a big reminder on the value of actual in-person relationships and the importance of staying connected. This year has felt like I’m a plant that is way under-watered. The long-term lesson for me is to nurture relationships—this is what makes life so much fuller for me. Riccardo Waites, CEO/Founder, Central Oregon Black Leaders Assembly Personally, the biggest lessons I have learned is that there are people in power positions that truly want to make change. There are those that smile and say the right things and those are the ones that need to be ostracized. The ones that want the change simply just do not know how and thus allow fear or manipulation by the opposition and fail at what they really want to do. This is why we are trying to be a buffer for change. How have those lessons changed me? It has made me even more hungry to succeed. More hungry to create programs that unite us all. It inspires me to push forward no matter what for all of us. ‘We are all in this together’ is so cliché. So monotonous. But it is also righteous. It’s also the way we win.
Dr. George Conway, Deschutes County Health Services Director It is both relieving and a reflection of the work of science and public health across the world that, a year after we recognized our first local COVID case, we are vaccinating residents to protect them against COVID-19. I want to recognize our county staff and community partners who worked tirelessly to adapt, to respond, and contain the pandemic. We thank residents who have sacrificed so much this past year for the safety of all. We know that many have: • Missed holidays with family members • Postponed special events • With kids out of the classroom, balanced virtual learning with remote work I encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated when it is offered to them and to continue taking precautions, like masking and avoiding large gatherings as we move towards herd immunity.
For me, the past year has reinforced how fragile health and life are, and how fragile our lifestyles and livelihoods can be in the face of uncertainty and change. —DR. JEFF ABSALON
Derek Sitter, Owner, Volcanic Theatre Pub I learned that I was not mentally or emotionally equipped to soak all this shit up this past year. All the closures, isolation, global pandemic, deaths, grief, sadness, election drama, riots, hate, division, memes and the lack of human-connection and self-expression are not ideal circumstances for a bipolar artist...or anyone. I could handle the financial burden of having Volcanic closed. I was not prepared for the loss of connection, honesty, integrity and live artistic expression. How have those lessons changed me? I have become more present. I was forced
to become more present. Self-awareness and presence of mind is absolutely necessary for me. I must live with a level of uncertainty as well. I thought I had this... but I got complacent. So, I’m becoming more peaceful. I’m better equipped to deal with myself and any shit that might come along. I’ve learned to express myself in different ways and stay productive. I’ve also learned to be grateful for what is here...now. There is happiness. There is always hope. I have my family, health, friends, art and my business. I’m doing good and looking forward to a better and different future. My daughter is my strength. She taught me that things are always OK and that people are generally good. Breathe and Take My Meds. Dr. Jeff Abasalon, Chief Physician Executive and COVID-19 Incident Co-Commander for St. Charles Health System For me, the past year has reinforced how fragile health and life are, and how fragile our lifestyles and livelihoods can be in the face of uncertainty and change. It has also really highlighted great opportunities for growth, both personally and socially. How have those lessons changed me? They’ve allowed me to acknowledge how much I value the uniqueness and differences of each individual, and how much I have really missed spending face-to-face time with friends and loved ones. Certainly, I will cherish such time in the future. Amy Warren, Co-Founder and Executive director, Kôr Community Land Trust What I’ve learned over the past year: • Survival of the fittest is not bigger, better, faster, stronger. It is the ability to adapt. • It is better to have three dollars than 50 pennies. Friends are the same and COVID made that very clear. • Every challenge is an opportunity for change. Often change comes with positivity and beauty. • I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY! Kor’s first homeownership community thrived through 2020 because of the incredible community support we received. I was/am humbled daily. • I love hugging people. It really sucked not to. • Although I have discovered digital meeting efficiencies that I will
