A Message From Alyse:

As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 global pandemic, our team is working to be as prepared as possible to protect the safety and health of our staff, our supporters, our volunteers, and the people of Alaska.

It is particularly crucial, at this time, that Alaskans continue in our tradition of caring and looking out for another — knowing that there is nothing more important than assuming our individual roles and responsibilities in ensuring the health and safety of one another. For that purpose, I have directed my team, in accordance with best practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to take the following steps:
Campaign staff and volunteers are shifting to working remotely, maintaining continuity of our campaign for change in Alaska
The campaign has canceled all of our scheduled public events and travel to reduce the risk posed to Alaskans by social gatherings including our upcoming trips to Bethel and Fairbanks, and associated events
The campaign has re-oriented our canvassing and phone-banking efforts to virtual options
As for steps that each one of us can take, we should all follow best practices recommended by the CDC to combat the spread of the virus, including frequent hand-washing (for at least 30 seconds), staying home if you or someone you live with is experiencing flu-like symptoms, and looking after your neighbors (especially the elderly who may need assistance picking up groceries, etc).

In a state twice the size of Texas, Alaskans are well versed in creative methods of maintaining our sense of community with our friends and family without being physically present with one another. Nonetheless, we look forward to when it is safe and responsible to come physically together in our mission for enacting positive change in Alaska. Until then, I am grateful for our incredibly dedicated health professionals who have worked and continue to work tirelessly to promote and protect Alaskans’ health.

This is a time for us to pull together and find safe, new ways of connecting with Alaskans. We are resilient and we will adapt as the story develops. Please stay in touch with the team and me as we continue to plan for the coming weeks.

Gratefully,

Alyse Galvin

Alyse’s Townhalls on COVID-19

Fisheries Town Hall

At our Commercial Fishing Town Hall, we talked with Paula Cullenberg, a Bristol Bay setnetter and former director of Alaska Sea Grant, and Dan Hull, fisherman and former Alaska representative to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. They updated us on how businesses are faring and what they are doing to keep workers safe. Sixty percent of US seafood comes from Alaska, so a lot is riding on this sector of our economy.

Ketchikan Town Hall

We also talked to Austin Otos, a lifelong Ketchikan resident, during the Ketchikan Town Hall to get an update from the community. He complimented the city for keeping everyone up-to-date through social media and shared his story on being laid off and filing for unemployment. Austin told us it was hard at first to talk about being unemployed, but that it’s important Alaskans ask for help and get the resources they need to survive this crisis.

Mat-Su Town Hall

At our Mat-Su Town Hall, we talked to Stephanie Allen, who is the executive director of the United Way of Mat-Su. She directed folks to their resource page here. She also emphasized that if you are feeling overwhelmed and need to talk to someone, you can reach the Mat-Su Health Services 24/7 by calling 376-2411.

Food, Shelter, and Other Essential Needs Town Hall

We brought together Jasmine Boyle of the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness and Brian Wilson of the Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness for our Food, Shelter, and Other Essential Needs Town Hall. They told us calls to 2-1-1 (a one-stop resource for finding help in your community) are up 500% in the past month, and there is a 75% increase in demand at food banks. They also shared that nonprofits are hiring remote workers, and you can find those opportunities here.