What can I do? How can I help? COVID-19

Covid19 has now become a pandemic, and we, many of us, have taken steps to adequately prepare and contain the spread of the virus. We have practiced social distancing, we have acquired supplies needed for a 2-week quarantine, we have increased our hygienic practices.

And yet, for those of us who are not doctors or nurses or otherwise involved, there is still a feeling of “How can I help? What can I do?”. A feeling of helplessness mixed with a desire to be useful, a good desire that reflects our natural predilection to contribute to society and the betterment of our communities in a positive way.

Here are some things you can do:

1. Follow proper guidelines and encourage others to do the same.

They are there for a reason and by taking care to listen to expert advice, we protect ourselves, our neighbors, and reduce the strain on the system.

2. Check in on elderly family members often

Call your parents, or your grandparents, and touch base with them. Find out their plan. Spend some of this time investing in relationships with older family members, and keep them company from a distance by checking in or chatting together.

3. Be a good parent, friend, and neighbor.

Don’t scare your children more than necessary, but do gently inform them about what is going on and why they may not have school or extra-curricular activities. Let friends with ill or immunocompromised family members know you are thinking about or praying for them. Be a good neighbor, and acquire the supplies you need and not more so that there is enough for the next person.

4. Write letters to those in nursing homes who may be lonely or without family

Many of us have read about the loneliness that older people experience when they are living in nursing or assisted living type homes and more closed off from contact with the outside world.

Right now, that isolation is necessary for their protection, but we can still send letters, coloring pages, greeting cards, etc. to brighten their day and help them feel less lonely.

5. Reduce the burden on medical and emergency professionals

If you have an emergency or need to go to the doctor, by all means, do so. However, we can work to reduce the kind of calls that aren’t quite emergencies like asking our doctors to test us when we have no symptoms, complaining to police about a neighbor’s music at 11pm, etc. Let’s be a little extra self-sufficient and try to only involve these professionals if we truly need to so that they can focus on those who need their help.

6. Volunteer if you are able

Many of us cannot do this, but for single people volunteering in some capacity is a very good thing to do. If you do not feel comfortable volunteering at a hospital, perhaps you could help stock a food pantry, deliver groceries, or help in some other way.

7. Spend time working on beneficial projects, or accomplishing as much work from home as we are able

The world needs to keep turning as much as possible, so the more we can get done from home the better. If your employer hasn’t outlined specific projects, maybe spend this time continuing your education in your field. If you don’t work or are done with work, you might tackle decluttering projects, read books you’ve been meaning to read, or start that garden you never have time to plant.

8. Really do what we can to limit the spread of the virus

Many young and healthy people are not really worried about getting the virus themselves, but it IS important that we work to contain the spread so that it is not passed to older or immunocompromised folks. Take this into mind when you plan your activities, and don’t take unnecessary risks in the spirit of charity for those who would be at greater risk if they came down with Covid19.

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