8 Ways You Can Help People Cope During COVID-19
As the novel coronavirus wreaks havoc across the globe, you may find yourself feeling powerless. Entire countries are on lockdown, businesses are shuttering, paychecks are precarious, and medical supplies appear to be dwindling. It’s a scary and, at times, over-whelming place we’ve found ourselves in. Fortunately, there are ways to help. Many individuals and institutions are feeling alone, frightened, and worried.
Extending a helping hand is a way we can turn our own feelings of powerlessness into feelings of power.
Things will certainly get worse before they get better. The most important thing we can do right now to help curb the spread of the disease is practice social distancing. Stay at home with only members of your immediate family (or roommates) unless your job is deemed an essential service, or you are going out to get supplies. If you must leave the house, limit your contact with surfaces and remain at least 6 feet away from other people. This is a necessary measure to protect not just ourselves, but to protect our most vulnerable populations as well.
Beyond this immediate need, the economic and social effects of the current global pandemic may take longer to fully realize. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t get started. Here are a few ways you can help –
Donate food or money to food banks.
Due to the school and business closures, as well as the spike in unemployment, food banks are bracing for a spike in demand. Children that rely on free and reduced lunch, the elderly, and hourly employees are going to be in need during this time and well after the dust has settled.
Donating even a dollar or two to your local food bank will help put food on the tables of these vulnerable individuals. If you have food available to donate, call ahead to see if the organization near you has a drop-off point set up so you won’t have to exit your vehicle to leave your donation.
If you’re in the United States, visit the Feeding America website to find a food bank near you and read about more ways to help combat food insecurity during this outbreak.
Volunteer remotely.
While we don’t recommend volunteering in-person right now, if you have a phone or a stable internet connection, there are still plenty of ways for you to volunteer your time.
Ask about becoming a telephone volunteer with an organization that provides companionship for the elderly. They can match you with a senior citizen to call once a week. Or consider setting something similar up with any older folks in your community or family who might live alone. Set up a time to check in over the phone – to remind them there’s someone out there who cares about them and to offer a bit of distraction during a scary time.
There are also opportunities for student mentorship that can be done online. You can set up video chats with your student for tutoring or just to chat. Most students have been thrust into the world of online learning in order to complete their school year. They (and their parents) are most likely feeling over-whelmed and an extra adult to offer support would be much appreciated.
You could also volunteer as a remote crisis counselor with Crisis Text Line. Once you sign up, they offer training on how to respond to text messages. It’s a small gesture but you could literally save a life.
Donate blood.
Due to donor cancellations, the Red Cross is experiencing severe blood shortages during this pandemic. Couple that with the fear that as the number of people who test positive for Coronavirus increases, the pool of eligible blood donors will shrink.
We’ve been told to limit our trips outside the home; however, blood banks have put many precautions in place to help keep donors safe. The Red Cross is screening temperatures and maintaining a six feet distance between anyone who isn’t in PPE as well as disinfecting surfaces between each donor.
Help with medical costs.
If you are in a financial position to do so, consider giving a monetary donation to organizations that are helping people offset medical costs.
HealthWell Foundation gives financial assistance to help with co-pays and insurance premiums/deductibles.
GlobalGiving has a relief fund set up with all donations going toward medical supplies and sending essential items to folks in need who are quarantined.
Donate medical supplies.
If you own a business that stocks medical supplies, such as exam gloves or N95 masks, either for sale or for your employees use, consider donating them to a hospital. Many hospitals are running low on the protective equipment needed by their healthcare workers to safely treat Coronavirus patients. They are starting to accept donations from manufacturers, companies, and the public.
And if you have a sewing machine, here’s a tutorial on how to make protective masks and gowns. Help support medical personnel with your crafty skillset!
Foster an animal.
Animal shelters need our help now more than ever. Because of the economic uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus outbreak, may people are surrendering their animals to shelters because of job loss and worry that they won’t be able to afford to care for them in the months to come.
If you have the means to do so, reach out to a local shelter or humane society about fostering an animal during this crisis. Most are happy to facilitate a pick-up with minimal contact.
This would be mutually beneficial for any humans out there who live alone and have found themselves craving companionship over the last couple weeks. A furry friend could brighten your spirits just as much as you would brighten theirs!
Support local businesses.
Millions of establishments have been told to shut their doors. This impact, especially as it pertains to employment, is already being felt by so many.
However, many businesses are still offering take-out or pickup and others are still selling things like merchandise or gift cards on their websites.
Help support these businesses by taking advantage of these offerings. When you leave your home or apartment once a week to get supplies, order a meal to pick up curbside on the way home. Buy a $50 gift card to your favorite café and save it for when this is all behind us. The idea here is that infusions of cash now will assist these smaller businesses in making it through this for the long haul.
Send cheer to nursing homes.
Finally, there’s been a lot of talk about folks over 65 being the highest risk for developing severe cases of the virus. And this population is no doubt feeling the fear from hearing this repeated refrain. Especially those who are in nursing homes and care facilities who are under extreme self-quarantine. As added protection for their residents, many have not allowed outside visitors in weeks.
Even if you don’t have a loved one in one of these facilities, give one a call and ask what their current protocols are about receiving deliveries and mail. You could send flowers, baked goods, letters, books, or art made by your kids. If sending anything physical is out of the question, ask if you could email over a video message or a recording. Anything you think might provide a bit of joy and ease their loneliness would be much appreciated.
Whether you’re supporting local businesses, donating blood or medical supplies, or just offering a kind ear to someone who is struggling, your community will be thankful for any help you can provide in this difficult time. But remember when helping others, to also take care of yourself. Be gentle with yourself. Practice self-care. This is a hard time for all of us, but we will emerge stronger and better and more resilient as a result. Sending our love to everyone across the globe! xoxo
Team Wintersoul