Ask HN: Community messaging tools to use during pandemic?

Telegram.

Or Signal.

But even tptacek is on record here on HN now admitting that even unencrypted sms or iMessages are fine as long as you don't need bulletproof crypto.

That should be email, not sms, but I guess they are more or less the same from that perspective.

Exchange phone numbers.

Set up a Google group, Reddit sub or other standard platform for your building.

This will depend a lot on how well you know your neighbors, what their default digital platforms are and how compatible everyone is in that regard.

Ideally, I could set up a forum, create an account for each unit, and then slip a card under their door with the their login info.

How post apocalyptic do you think things will get?

Notes posted in the lobby. Going door to door to talk to people...

Nextdoor?

Thanks. I just tried out Nextdoor.com. They make money from ads and it shows. Their signup process is a distasteful data grab.

Still, I found 15 people who live or used to live in my building. There's no way to start a group discussion with just them.