7 Ways to Care For Each Other During COVID-19
With the uncertainty of Coronavirus, many of us have been glued to the news, concerned for loved ones and adapting our lives to deal with the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has brought. Living indoors can be tough and getting into a new routine can be daunting. But now is the time to care for each other to help maintain moral.
In life, everybody deals with situations differently. It’s easier for some people to deal with the crisis than others. So it is great to see individuals step up helping out where they can. Here are 7 ways people can care for each other while staying safe as our family, friends, colleagues and neighbours navigate COVID-19.
1. Look after yourself – flatten the curve!
Simply by following social distancing protocol can be a massive help in keeping down the numbers of spreading Coronavirus. Replacing handshakes with waving or elbow touches and hugs with waves are easy alternatives for social distancing guidelines. If we do our best to stop the spread, we can flatten the curve! It’s also very important to keep ourselves and our family healthy during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Check on elderly neighbours
Although necessary, social isolation can be lonely. Be sure to text, phone call, email or, if needed, in person, especially if they live alone. Elderly people can be the hardest to check on when they live alone. Ensuring that they can get the necessities that they require is vital.
3. Reach out to your family and friends
Keeping in touch with your friends and family can be difficult during the pandemic, so it is best to reach out when you can. Send them funny memes or GIFs to cheer them up. Call them. Video chat them. Don’t forget about them. Make sure they feel less alone and have social support. Offer them help.
4. Care for each other during self isolation
Know someone in self isolation or who needs to limit their public interactions? Offer to pick up and deliver their shopping, treats or other things they might need, while taking precautions to keep yourself safe. Your time and labour could be a big help to someone needing support.
5. Show appreciation for our health workers
Our health workers are the current heroes of the world. They put their lives and safety on the line for all of us. The last thing that we could do is add more burden and risk to their well-being, and as health professionals, they should be accorded full respect and utmost concern. So the least that we can contribute is to abide by protocols.
6. Make social distancing fun with video chat
Social distancing doesn’t mean we can’t feel close to our loved ones. Get creative. Have a video chat to get together and celebrate birthdays or other occasions using everyday tools like Skype, Hangouts or Zoom. Or, synchronise watching your favourite TV show or movie together while chatting via text or video.
7. Limit hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizers!
Prepare for what your household will need if quarantined, but curb the panic-greed reflex. If we want a better world, we have to learn to keep our community’s needs top of mind and share the simple things (soap is shareable, lasts longer, and indispensable in a time like this!).
And remember, wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands. It protects you and everyone around you. It only takes 20 seconds.