Our International community of Sketchnoters is generous and kind. We genuinely like each other and relish in the diversity of the group. From neutron scatterers, to scrum masters, University Professors, graphic facilitators, artists and engineers. We support and encourage, share, teach and learn from each other.
When this season of virus began. The world watched as the virus overtook China. We marveled at the rapidity with which the government reacted. Building hospitals in the hardest hit areas with superhuman speed. Watching from a distance there was hope that the infections would stay localized, transmission would be halted, and the threat for the rest of the world would diminish.
We were shocked, collectively, when the spread to Italy became so swift and devastating. Back then, around March 11th, Claire Ohlenschlager came up with the idea to have our merry band of about 17 Sketchnoters, all share a sketch in honor of Mauro Toselli, and Mario Foglia, both residing near Milan – the epicenter of the Coronavirus outbreak. We would each sketch a message of cheer for our friends, tagging them in the post and reminding them of happier times. The messages, like our group, would be unique and multi-layered. We signed up for dates and started posting on March 13th, led by @Claire_ohl we used the hashtag #cocreate and began spreading smiles. Making a sketch a day for our friends in Italy felt like a way to ease the burden of isolation and fend off the infection for our friends.
My date was March 28th and I was #16 in the que. By then, we learned of another Italian friend, Federica Tabone, to add to the message, and we were joined by many others spreading the focus outward as the quarantine, isolation, and death spread to every country in succession. Our virtual community had always communicated over digital devices, time zones, and languages. The quarantines did not impact the friendships we have developed over time. What it did was bring us closer in a virtual hug where we all took the time to reach out to each other, the hardest hit at first, to just say we are still here. We are thinking of you. Stay safe and sketch on.
#cocreate doodles from the heart to offer joy and to share smiles around the world. The group continues to grow. Sketchnoting to create change.
Spread peace, One doodle at a time.