From large scale farms to backyard gardens, it is important for Black people to grow and produce our own food. Black people have a strong history of food production. Before colonialism and slavery, African people were growing, raising, hunting, and fishing for our own food in a sustainable way. We were people who produced life for ourselves.
Although this type of development was interrupted over 600 years ago, in AAPDEP we recognize how necessary it is for us to struggle to achieve this in our communities again. Healthy food is essential for life and now more than ever African (Black) people have to be involved in a process of taking back control over our lives. The production and consumption of food is an essential part of any people being self-sufficient and self-determining.
In the first half of 2020 alone, we’ve seen the global negative impacts of not producing food in our communities. In Kenya, inflation and shortage of produce in working class communities exposed the importance of Africans growing food to feed our own people. The Covid-19 repercussions in South Africa increased Africans’ risk of coming in contact with the virus when buying necessities such as vegetables and fruits. In the US, we watched shelves become barren in supermarkets all over the country. If they say there is no food, does that mean we should be forced to starve? Of course not. We must take matters into our own hands and develop our own strategies to feed the community.
Taking the step to produce our own food will have many benefits for our health and our economy. We will know where our food comes from and what goes into producing it. We won’t be as dependent on our colonizers to provide something so essential to us and our families. Growing our own food independent of our oppressor gives us the ability to win the Black community to be self determining. African People can start to use our resources and labor to benefit our people and not our oppressor. This might seem like a large task at the beginning, but almost anyone can start small and grow something. It is as easy as growing food on your window sill, or on your porch. There are even ways to raise fish in your basement! There are many different skills and techniques for raising food in almost any circumstances.
The biggest resource that we have is each other and the knowledge that we share. As a people, we are lacking organization; the organization to share our knowledge with each other. AAPDEP provides an organizational vehicle for us to collectivize our skills to improve our communities quality of life. It is the mechanism for sharing our resources and building collectively to provide for ourselves. The current pandemic, and the recent attacks on African people that have left us dependent are just a few examples of why this is the necessary time for us to start to produce our own food.
We are calling on Africans, no matter where you are located, to #GrowTheRevolution by joining AAPDEP’s Agriculture Committee or take advantage of the resources provided for your community to start growing food today! You can learn more at DevelopmentForAfrica.org. There, you will find more articles that will address African people controlling our food. We even have DIY articles on different gardening techniques, food storage and preparation. We also have videos on the same subjects. You can also contact us at info@developmentforafrica.org to be put into contact with one of our agriculture committee representatives.
Uhuru! Join the fight for independence! Join AAPDEP today!
#GrowingTheRevolution
A 2013 study by the Disaster Medicine and Public Health Department entitled Testing the Efficacy of Homemade Masks: Would They Protect in an Influenza Pandemic? revealed that homemade face masks, constructed out of household materials were still effective in reducing aerosol transmission of droplet-spread communicable diseases. The study involved 21 healthy volunteers; 12 men and 9 women aged between 20 and 44 years of age. The results indicated that all of the materials used, which included a cotton t-shirt, scarf, tea-towel, vacuum cleaner bag and pillowcase showed some capability to block the microbial aerosol challenges. The most significant factor was not the material the homemade face mask was constructed out of, instead, it was the fit of the mask itself and the underlying actions of the wearer.
Masks are not recommended for children 2 and under!
Free Downloadable Face Mask Pattern (from craft passion) in various options. Please click to download and print separately.
This article is intended for both those with have little to no skills with sewing as well as our more experienced readers. It is also readily made to to complete with or without the use of a sewing machine.
Description | Child (3-6) | Child (7-12) | Woman/Teen | Man |
---|---|---|---|---|
“Jesse Mask (Best Fit) | Template | |||
W/Pocket (3/8″ seam allowance) | Template | Template | Template | Template |
W/out Pocket (1/4″ seam allowance) | Template | Template | Template | Template |
W/out seam allowance (4 sizes) | Template | |||
Decide which type and size you want to sew, choose the correct pattern from the list, download and print out the template of Face Mask Pattern separately.
Don’t scale the printing and DON’T print to fit the paper either, it is in letter size paper (8.5″ x 11″) so you should have no problem printing it in 100% size. There is a 2″ scale marking for you to check if you are printing it in the right size.
Cut out the pattern of your size.
[IMPORTANT: Don’t print the pattern from the browser, the size might not correct. Please open the pdf pattern in Adobe Reader or Adobe Pro and print the actual size (100% scale) from there, DO NOT set to “print to fit paper”.]
[Without Printer]
You may trace the pattern out from your monitor. Download the templates and open them in Adobe Reader. Zoom the template till the 2″ guide measures 2″ on your ruler, set the screen to the highest brightness. Place a piece of white paper on the monitor and trace the outline with a pen or a marker.
Fold the main fabric into halve with the wrong side facing each other, pin the paper pattern onto the double-layered fabric. Cut the fabric with 1/4″ allowance, except the ear side. Cut the fabric at the ear side with 1″ seam allowance (1.5″ if you are using t-shirt yarn as the head tie).
Insert the tracing paper between the layer, trace sewing lines with tracing wheel.
Remove pins and paper pattern, get set to sew.
NOTE: If you are using templates that already have seam allowances included, you do not need to add any more seam allowance. The same applies to the lining in the next step.
https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Face-Mask-With-Filter-Pocket/
With the ever increasing requirement for ‘social distancing’, there are essentials such as food, cleaning supplies, personal care and medicine, to name a few. We know that to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19, we should limit our exposure to people, cover our coughs/sneezes, and avoid touching our face. If you are feeling well and certain that you have not been exposed to or tested negative for the COVID-19 virus. Here are some strategies to consider before you leave home, while shopping, and when you return home.
Know Your Symptoms:
Symptom | COVID-19 | Influenza | Cold | Seasonal Allergies |
Cough | Common (Dry) | Common (Dry) | Common | Common |
Fatigue | Common | Common | Some Cases | Uncommon / None |
Fever | Common | Common | Some Cases | Uncommon / None |
Shortness of Breath | Common | Uncommon / None | Uncommon / None | Uncommon / None |
Aches and Pains | Some Cases | Common | Some Cases | Uncommon / None |
Diarrhea | Some Cases | Some Cases | Uncommon / None | Uncommon / None |
Sore Throat | Some Cases | Common | Common | Uncommon / None |
Stuffy or Runny Nose | Some Cases | Common | Common | Common |
Headache | Uncommon / None | Common | Some Cases | Uncommon / None |
Itchy or Watery Eyes | Uncommon / None | Uncommon / None | Common | Common |
Sneezing | Uncommon / None | Common | Common | Common |
Stomach Pain | Uncommon / None | Some Cases | Uncommon / None | Uncommon / None |
Vomiting | Uncommon / None | Some Cases | Uncommon / None | Uncommon / None |
If you or the person you’re caring for develops these emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include:
This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
If NoTest to determine if they are still contagious, they can leave home after these three things have happened:
If Tested to determine if still contagious, they can leave home after these three things have happened:
A vaccine to cure COVID-19 is available. False
There is no vaccine for the new coronavirus right now. Scientists have already beings will take many months.
You can protect yourself from COVID-19 by swallowing or gargling with bleach, taking acetic acid or steroids, or using essential oils, salt water, ethanol or other substances. False
None of these recommendations protects you from getting COVID-19, and some of these practices may be dangerous. The best ways to protect yourself from this coronavirus (and other viruses) include: Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, using soap and hot water. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, sneezing or coughing. In addition, you can avoid spreading your own germs by coughing into the crook of your elbow and staying home when you are sick.
The new coronavirus was deliberately created or released by people. False
Viruses can change over time. Occasionally, a disease outbreak happens when a virus that is common in an animal such as a pig, bat or bird undergoes changes and passes to humans. This is likely how the new coronavirus came to be.
Ordering or buying products shipped from overseas will make a person sick. False
As of now the World Health Organization (WHO) says that the likelihood of becoming infected with COVID-19 from a commercial package is low since it has likely traveled over some time
Coronavirus is not in my area, so I can go out. False
You don’t know it’s not in your area. There’s been a shortage of testing in the United States, so we don’t have an accurate idea of how many people – or what areas – have truly been affected. It may take as long as two weeks before symptoms show.
This blog post originally appeared on WebMD.com.
How to Respond to COVID-19 Deniers – Medscape – Mar 20, 2020.
Children mirror behaviors they observe from adults. This is especially true of our responses to stressful situation like those caused by COVID-19.
Tips:
Feeling overwhelmed
Sad or Depressed?
Thinking of harming yourself or others?
Reach Out to Someone: Call a Friend or Family Member
Or Call Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
1 (800) 827-8255 (TALK)
Text: TalkWithUs to
66746
National Hotline: 1-800-662-4357 (HELP)
TTY: 1 800-487-4889
Contact the National Domestic Violence
1-800-799-7233
and TTY 1-800-787-3224
Take Breaks
Eat Well
Try to Exercise
Limit Alcohol