Community

Volunteer-led mutual aid networks, like Juneau Mutual Aid, have blossomed around the country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a quick turnaround, Juneau Karate Academy instructors Nathan Young and Sarah Young closed the public doors to their Mendenhall Valley dojo — and launched an online training academy.

The economic strain caused by the COVID-19 crisis is forcing more people to look for help getting basic necessities like food. 

With the shelter typically open overnight from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and other public buildings closed, many homeless community members have nowhere else to go.

A dozen dental assistants formed a factory line and began assembling the masks.

Faith institutions in Alaska are dealing with a ban on public gatherings at a time when many people are looking for guidance from religious leaders. Many churches have adapted to the new online world quickly.

Juneau-based life coach Brandee Gerke frames her coaching strategies around what she calls a “resilience mindset,” or the capacity to navigate change and adversity.

Now that people are hunkered down because of COVID-19, more customers are buying groceries online — which isn’t possible for everyone.

But at least two small businesses in Alaska are retooling their operations from making things like custom car or gun parts, to producing face shields for protecting healthcare providers and printing the long swabs needed to test for the virus.

With COVID-19 concerns, hand sanitizer has been flying off the shelves. But distilleries are creating their own product.