Feeling Blue? Art & Soap to the Rescue

Have you been reading a lot about COVID-19? If you’re not a “newshound” like some are, maybe not. Even so, at this point, it’s pretty hard to avoid knowing about this worldwide pandemic. It’s effects are everywhere.

In this post, I’d like to bring a little cheer your way and also some great news about a simple thing that promises amazing results.

Soap and Water. It’s so Simple

Did you ever think that something as simple as soap is actually responsible for the level of civilization many of us take for granted? Do a quick Google search along these lines--“effects of disease on society.” I got 785 million hits in ¾ of a second. What you’ll notice is the ripple effect that disease can have on the many things we count on in our daily lives.

But there’s good news. The microorganisms that spread disease are not unbeatable foes. In fact, they are quite fragile provided the right tool is used to reduce their number. That tool? Soap.

In Why Soap Works, Ferris Jabr explains that, “When you wash your hands with soap and water, you surround any microorganisms on your skin with soap molecules. The hydrophobic tails of the free-floating soap molecules attempt to evade water; in the process, they wedge themselves into the lipid envelopes of certain microbes and viruses, prying them apart.”

In the 3-4 minutes it takes to read this NYT article, you will be amazed at how easy it is to destroy pathogens and viruses. “At the molecular level, soap breaks things apart. At the level of society, it helps hold everything together.”

Definitely give this one a look. It’s so encouraging that such a simple act can prevent such devastating harm. A shout out to our HR director, Ignacio Silva, who first shared this article with us here at Kauffman’s.

Art and It’s Calming Effects

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, it’s easy to keep reading, and reading, and reading about it all. As you’ve probably figured out, it’s not good to be so focused on it. We need to be informed, but for our well being, we need to be wise about how we do that. 

Mike Allen wrote one of the more helpful articles I found. Without a lot of hype or emotion, his article Axios Deep Dives gave point by point updates and information on what’s going on. Some of this information is no longer current, but the part I want to draw your attention to is at the very end. The heading is “8.1 helpful thing: Drawing class for kids.”

“Overwhelmed parents, here's something that might help: Graphic journalist and best-selling illustrator Wendy MacNaughton is hosting a live 30-minute online drawing class for children, Mondays through Fridays at 1 pm EST.”

Isn’t that cool? Not only does she give these classes, but she also lets parents know about other resources that are available.

“Mac Barnett is reading children's books aloud.

Kate Schatz, author of "Rad American History A-Z," is reading from her book and offering a series of "curriculum videos."

Mo Willems partnered with the Kennedy Center to host daily "lunch doodles."

Illustrator Carson Ellis is posting daily drawing prompts.”

During these challenging times, it’s great that we can use the internet to engage with people like these artists and authors. They make it possible for us to “Keep Calm and Carry On.” If you do take advantage of these resources or any others, be sure to send them a huge “Thank you” with a kind word or even a donation. Pulling together and connecting with each other is what will get us through this time. Not only that, but building bridges to others is good for us in general, don’t you think?

God bless you. Cheers and be well.

Photo: akk_rus