Amongst growing fears about the Coronavirus pandemic, the world is a scary place right now. As a country, we have been urged to stay inside to prevent it’s spread, but watching while the world change around you from your own home can feel like a pretty hopeless situation. Of course, the most important things you can do for others are to stay at home as much as possible, and keep to a distance of two metres from others at all times. But that’s not all. Below are five additional ways you can assist others during these stressful times.
1. Offer to do elderly members of the public’s shopping for them.
At this difficult time, the elderly are more at-risk than any other members of the population, not to mention that many suffer from mobility problems that may hinder their trips to buy food. This is likely to be a stressful time for them more than most, and offering to do their shopping could make their life a lot easier. But while doing this – remember the rules – stay more than two metres away from them at all times, and make sure you’re completely healthy before offering help.
2. Give to a food bank
Elderly people aren’t the only people at high risk at the moment. A big demographic that will likely be hit hard by the virus are homeless people. Not only will they be more at risk due to having no pace to self-isolate, they will also struggle since their main source of income comes from the generosity of other people – and with no one else on the streets, there’ll be no one to help them out in this way. Food banks have long been a source of help for homeless people all around the country, so next time you’re out shopping, consider giving a little extra to a food bank. It could save a life.
3. Check on people who are home alone
It isn’t only physical health that could be at risk for people at the moment – it’s mental health as well. For people who live on their own, isolation can be a scary and lonely experience, and this is likely to have a big impact on them mentally. Don’t forget to keep calling and checking up on your friends and relatives that live alone – a chat with friends or family could be exactly what they need right now.
4. Don’t hoard or stockpile items.
While this one isn’t necessarily something you can do, rather something you can avoid, it’s also one of the most essential instructions on this list. Ever since the start of the panic around this pandemic, people have been running into supermarkets and buying massive quantities of items in order to stock up. But this isn’t necessary. While this is a scary time, it’s not the end of the world, and supermarkets will still continue to run as normal throughout the lockdown. That extra back of pasta you bought could go to a food bank, or a vulnerable person who needs it. Don’t be selfish.
5. Join the NHS Volunteer Responders
Above all, it’s the NHS that are under the most pressure at this time. With cases rising and hospitals filling up, their staff are under more and more pressure in order to save lives. Luckily, there’s a way you can help this without having any medical qualifications. Apply to join the NHS Volunteer Responders and you’ll be asked to carry out any non-medical tasks that the NHS needs you to do, to ease the burden on their staff. Helping our nurses and doctors on the front line is critical, and will save lives.