Community members come together to “flatten the curve”

PASCO, Wash – Social media is playing a big role in keeping communities connected during the COVID-19 outbreak, but in the Tri-Cities, it's also playing a role in the effort to reduce in-person interactions in an effort to slow the growth of the illness in the area.

A team of local residents created an online community in an effort to provide virtual and real-life support to those vulnerable to the affects of COVID-19. Flatten the Curve TC (FTCTC) is a made up of local residents who are willing to volunteer their talents in support of the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities.

Volunteer leaders have a come from a varied list of backgrounds, and includes stay-at-home-parents, retirees, local media, scientists, engineers, IT, and communications professionals.

Pasco resident John Roach wrote an article earlier this month titled, Flattening the curve in the Tri-Cities: Coronavirus Readiness and Community Resilience, which was published on like, and is seen as the launch pad of the local Flatten the Curve effort.

The term "flatten the curve" refers to an effort to reduce social interactions in order to slow the spread of viruses, which in turn should prevent an unmanageable spike in the need for medical services.

“Less than two weeks ago this group came together as a grassroots effort to begin building resilience in our community in preparation for the hard, important work of flattening the curve in the Tri-Cities. Our Flatten the Curve - TC Facebook page already has more than 9,400 followers and has become an information resource serving an absolutely critical need. It’s a
safe place where people can come for support, strategies, and information for navigating these unprecedented times,” said Roach in a press release.

The Flatten the Curve page also boasts more than 1,000 members in related groups for Pandemic Needs and Volunteers, where people share requests for immediate support or information about local programming, ideas for teaching kids at home, etc.

The group has also created a website, www.flattenthecurvetc.com, to provide access to services for anyone who isn't on social media, and is accessible in English, Spanish, Dutch, and French.