The Coronoavirus, also known as COVID-19, has been unavoidable on the news. But is it unavoidable as a disease? It depends on what you do and how you react. (Photo courtesy of Bethany Lutheran College)

With the recent outbreak in Coronavirus, all facets of life have been impacted, if not brought to a complete standstill. Schools have been closed, many public venues like theaters and sports events cancelled indefinitely and store shelves emptied out. Will life return to normal? That depends on what we do. It is also just as important to think about what we will do afterwards.

How will this impact the #16ToVote Advocacy Project?

I personally have been busy at work making preparations for a contingency plan for how to best continue the work on the #16ToVote Advocacy Project in light of the recent Coronavirus epidemic. I have not made plans to cancel it and still plan to go through with the travel as expected. Obviously, however, some adjustments will need to be made as groups and events I am working with will also have to make adjustments, so I will keep groups that are closely working with me updated on any adjustments that will need to be made.

Obviously one notable change I’ll have to make adjustments for will be events where large gatherings are expected to take place. I may have to switch to digital means for some key dates until I hear back from event organizers. Other than that, the digital and social media strategies I plan to share among the supporting groups should be largely unaffected, since you don’t need to be at the physical locations I’ll be at during the campaign. You just need to be able to access your social media platforms.

While I work with other groups on contingency plans for the next few days, you can take a few precautions yourself to avoid getting the virus and/or spreading it to someone else by following the simple tips on the chart below.

You can also practice other important actions, like social distancing(not social media distancing!) and listening to what your local health and safety providers say about the Coronavirus in your area.

The Coronavirus is a lot like ageism in that there’s a lot of fake information being spread out there that doesn’t help either cause, so it is important to check reliable sources and to debunk fake information. We’ll only overcome both by staying smart, vigilant and informed.

I won’t get into a lengthy post today in regards to the #16ToVote Project, but please do know that I plan to continue it as long as I am able to and will make contingency plans as best as I can to keep the campaign active during this period. Stay tuned for updates and stay safe out there!

Jester Jersey

Jefferson West Kiwanis Club host where I presented on Wednesday, near downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, introducing me right before I spoke. Several clubs were able to attend and listen to my talk about the campaign.

I presented earlier to a club in New Orleans, Louisiana, and they were very interested in my new campaigns and projects for the future. I was able to present to a really sizable crowd, thanks to referrals from contact people prior to me presenting. There were several invitees from some local towns who won’t be able to make the presentation later in the week, but heard I’d be presenting today so they made it to today’s meeting instead.

I also picked up some interesting ideas from those in attendance that I can incorporate to the later campaign I’ll be starting in April.

Second day out and mostly spending it on a train. Working on the presentation I’ll be making to several clubs in a few days.

Today marks a milestone: The #16ToVote Project (unofficialy) begins!

I haven’t posted much since I first began this blog except for background information, but as of today, I’ll be a little more active online. As of this writing, I am currently on my way to several locations in the southern United States. One could say this is the unofficial start of the #16ToVote Advocacy Project campaign.

Although this isn’t the main campaign, it is a side one that I am interested in doing prior to the main stops later this spring because I have found a receptive audience to the idea, as well as possible media coverage.

Also important to note that not only is today the 16th of February but also Susan B. Anthony’s birthday(I totally did not plan this!)- she was born two hundred years ago and fought for the emancipation of slaves- at the age of 17! Even Google’s Doodle was devoted for her today!

Today, we fight for equality for taxpaying youth- they should have a voice and a vote. Today’s unofficial start will hopefully start bringing a broader spotlight to this movement, and I will do my best to make this a reality happen.

I am unsure if I’ll be able to post much on this segment of the campaign, but I will try to document as much of this unofficial start of the campaign as possible when I am able to. Stay tuned!

-Jester Jersey

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.