Andrà Tutto Bene

With Seattle and much of the world practicing social distancing to slow the spread of a global pandemic, we are choosing to save the post we had scheduled for this week until another time. We’re reevaluating all of the content we’ll be bringing you over these next few weeks of uncertainty—We still want to be a voice helping you enjoy cooking and gathering, and this dynamic situation will affect both of those concepts in everyone’s lives greatly.

We had planned to share a bruschetta recipe along with a post about the popular Italian practice of aperitivo and how you can emulate that idea in your gatherings... While in-person gatherings may not be an option at the moment, there is still so much that we can learn from Italians about fostering community during these trying times (don’t worry, you’ll still get the bruschetta recipe someday). If you look at the news from Italy today you’ll see tragic stories of hospitals without enough beds, heartbreaking death tolls, and an entire country under lockdown... But when you look a little deeper, you’ll see that people are finding ways to be hopeful and joyful even in such dark times!

Our social media feeds have been filled with Italian communities making music with each other—neighbors singing and playing instruments from their balconies and windows—creating concerts for the entire neighborhood. Mars’ family in Italy has assured us that despite the darkness, spirits are high. Households across Italy are painting and displaying rainbow signs that say “Andrà Tutto Bene,” meaning “everything will be alright.” This widespread message is not meant to downplay the seriousness of the situation but to acknowledge that if we work together, we will get through this. At the end of the day, social distancing and staying home are bringing people closer together in spirit and community. We hope that this can become the case here, too, before the US becomes as devastated by this crisis as Italy has been.

Washington state recently announced that all schools must close for at least 6 weeks. Libraries are closing. There have been too many stories of businesses closing permanently and people losing their jobs. We hate to say it, but this is only the beginning. Now is the time that we choose how to engage with and support each other!

Now, more than ever, we must make a conscious commitment to loving our community a little harder.

It seems that the idea of social-distancing sounds fraught, boring, and unnecessary to many. We urge you all to remember (and to remind your loved ones) that staying home is an act of love. An act of solidarity. An act of compassion. SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19) has an incubation period of up to two weeks, during which you can transmit the virus without any symptoms, making it easy to put others at risk. Staying home and canceling your plans is one of the best ways you can support those more vulnerable than you. (The highly-vulnerable population is more widespread than you may think and is more than just “old folks,” not that it should matter.) Of course, not everyone has the privilege to self-isolate completely. Jobs, lack of housing, a need for childcare... There are many reasons someone may not be able to stay home during this time. So, if you have the privilege to, staying home is actually a way of supporting those who can’t. This is a time when compassion and solidarity are especially important.

We may not be on mandatory lockdown. You may not be singing songs out your windows with your neighbors (doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try!). Still, there are ways that we can draw inspiration from Italy and create community from a distance!

Check-in on friends and family. Call them, text them, have a video call. It can be for 5 minutes or 5 hours. Remind people you are there. Remind them we are all in this together. It’s that simple.
Be vulnerable about how you’re feeling and what you need. Everyone’s unsure of what this crisis holds for them. Talk with your friends, family, coworkers, etc. about how you’re feeling. This is a time to take each other’s worries and needs seriously! They’ll probably return the favor and everyone will feel less alone.
Consider those who are less privileged than you. Elderly, immunocompromised, freelancer, essential worker, living paycheck-to-paycheck, unhoused: They are all our neighbors, friends, family members, and colleagues.
Offer your skills. Musician? Yogi? Educator? Get online and share your skills with your community! Find others with similar skills and start a coalition of skill-sharing!
Share the wealth. Whatever it is. Extra rice and beans? Extra toilet paper? A bar of chocolate? Pass it on if you don’t need it.
If you are out and about… Look out for each other. Ask people how they are doing. Be kind. Be present with one another.
Donate. There are endless causes to donate to right now. Your local food bank, Seattle’s artist relief fund, and local shelters are just a few ideas.
Spread uplifting messages. Remind people that everything will be alright. When we care for one another, we will get through this stronger than before. The kindness and compassion we cultivate now is an opportunity to create a culture we can continue when this crisis blows over. (Make your own sign to hang in your window! Send us a pic!)
Support local businesses and artists. Instead of eating out, order take-out or buy gift cards to use when this is all over. Stocking up on groceries? Purchase from small markets and suppliers! Looking to send a gift to someone whose birthday falls during a time when you can’t gather with them? Shop with local artists and makers online.

A lot is currently unknown. It’s hard to say just how long we will be facing this new reality. We’re going to do our best to keep bringing you relevant content—Stay tuned for tips on cooking with pantry staples, what a stocked pantry even looks like, and how to take care of yourself from home. Let us know what you need most right now! Comment below, email us, or say hi on social media!

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Be safe, be kind, and lead with compassion.