At the start of the pandemic I started a Facebook group to provide resources for my city's residents

[femmedem]

For a while it was a mix of covid-related science, resources for parents whose children were learning remotely, information for people who were laid off, and things people were doing to safely keep their spirits up while we were feeling isolated.

I was always pretty loose about what I allowed people to post, so long as it wasn't misinformation. Sometimes small business owners posted that they were looking for help. Sometimes people posted about upcoming community events. During the summer lull in cases, the group became less active.

But lately, people are paying attention to the group again, and nearly all the posts are directly about covid: where to get tests and vaccines. What kind of masks are effective. Covid-related data. I've been able to help people find booster appointments within a few days when they hadn't been able to find anything for a month. Today I helped someone who was panicking because she couldn't find a Pfizer booster and didn't realize that the CDC says it's fine to mix and match. I linked to the CDC guidelines and within a couple of minutes she thanked me and told me she'd just scheduled her booster.

I'm saying this because if you are active on social media and there isn't a local group like this, it's easy to start one. Administering the group hasn't taken much of my time, probably because I live in a very blue city. In all this time, I've only had to delete a couple of crazy anti-vax posts. If you live in a redder area, you might need to spend more time on it or find additional administrators.

It's been rewarding. Sometimes, like when I help someone get a booster appointment, I think I might have even saved a life.

[targetpractice]

1. Good on you...

... Totally helpful endeavor. My local group seems to be a go-to resource helping people find at-home test kits in stock at local pharmacies these past couple of weeks.

So, thanks to you for providing the group to your city.

[femmedem]

2. Thanks, targetpractice. I'm glad you've got a local group, too. n/t

[LoisB]

3. Great idea.

[progree]

4. Thankfully we have one of those wonderful groups in Minnesota -

https://www.facebook.com/groups/350853309230438/

The majority of the message traffic is help finding boosters (not that easy unless one is "in the know" ), and test kits / testing (even harder).

It started out as a Minneapolis group but changed their name to emphasize it was for all of Minnesota.

Thank you very much for starting and administering your group.

[femmedem]

7. Wow, that group is huge and active!

I'd definitely need more administrators if the group I started grew like that. Good for them!

[multigraincracker]

5. One can't put a price on what you've done.

My hat is off to you.
Now you have gone another step by letting us know how to do the same. I'm going to run out of hats to take off.

[femmedem]

6. Aww thanks.

I was briefly laid off at the beginning of the pandemic so I had some extra time and was looking for a way to help.