Hello Kiddies, Parents/Caregivers, and Teachers!
This post is inspired by Ms. Rose's own family! The other night, during a discussion with a cousin from Tennessee, a mother of a young Autistic child; the conversation truly highlighted some of the barriers Parents/Caregivers may face during Election Day, while trying to VOTE.
The number one barrier is childcare while the other is safety on election day. These barriers are even more prevalent since many children are home doing distance learning. Options that may have once been available to Parents/Caregivers are even more limited now with COVID-19 precautions and safety concerns.
A trusted older neighbor? A trusted family member? The college or high school student babysitter down the street? Church? Are no longer the expedient options that they once were. In America, we have less than two weeks to make a plan to vote. Some have already begun to vote early and even completed mail-in/absentee voting. Here are some limited resources that Ms. Rose was able to find. There are more specific resources in your particular area that you should seek out. Also, organizations and sites like VOTE.org have so many resources.
You may also want to check the CDC for COVID-19 specific concerns, these may vary from State to State. But we want everyone to remain safe while doing their CIVIC DUTY!
The best way to tackle a daunting and coordinating task is to PLAN! Checklist:
Some ideas for Ready-To-Eat Meals that will hold up in line:
Peanut Butter or other Nut Butters and Fruit Jelly Sandwiches
Trail Mix
Nitrite/Nitrate-Free Jerky
Charcuterie Snack Packs or other Snack Packs
Portable Fruit and Vegetables (apples, pears, clementine, sugar snap peas, blueberries or other berries, miniature bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes)
Raw Nuts
Popcorn, Pretzels, Crackers
Crackers & Tuna Kit or other Cracker& Canned Protein Kit
Protein Bars, Fruit Bars, Snack Bars
If you have any mayo or/and egg based dishes, they cannot be out at room temp, for more than 8 hours (let's hope you are not waiting this long)
Check for Food Trucks in the area and Food organizations like Pizza for the Polls- https://polls.pizza/trucks #democracyisdelicious
Drinks:
Might want to steer away from high caffeine or high sugary drinks, I know its tempting, but the diuretic effects may have you wanting to visit the bathroom more frequently then you want.
Bring a Refillable water bottle! Or a disposable, please try to Recycle if provided! STAY hydrated you are losing water while breathing into a mask! Liquid Water Enhancers may give you some much needed flavor for your water.
COVID-19/Health:
Bring an extra mask in case you need to switch up (remember when you are breathing you are losing water) and it may make your mask moist
Bring a lip balm
Hand Sanitizer/Alcohol Wipes
Have some kind of emergency health information on you, a medical bracelet, emergency medication-inhaler etc. Ideally I would not want you to be waiting in line during a pandemic if you need emergency medication. You may want to ask the polling place or polling worker if you need these kinds of accommodations to be moved forward through the line. NO ONE should be upset at such a request.
Possibly a hat, hair tie or other weather related item
I hope these resources help you plan your vote! I also hope you and your children get the opportunity to discuss the wonderful gift and important responsibility of voting and having our voices MATTER!
“Somewhere inside of all of us is the power to change the world"- Roald Dahl
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