Now more than ever, Americans need to come together (in spirit) to help us recover and rebound; so we’ve compiled a short list of ways you can support your community during the coronavirus outbreak.
It’s a difficult time for everyone with schools, businesses and offices shutting down temporarily, but there are many people who need special care and compassion during this time. Here are ten ways to support those who might need it most during the coming month(s):
Don’t buy more than you need. There are many people who are living paycheck to paycheck who can’t afford to buy a month’s worth of toilet paper or pasta sauce, especially the elderly. If we all buy more than we need, we take from those people who are relying on those goods to be there when they need it.
Don’t go out if you don’t need to. The most important thing is to stay home when you can and avoiding passing on the virus to those who are not healthy enough to withstand it.
Donate your time. Sign up for a local Facebook group, neighborhood app like Nextdoor or any community social media. Post a message offering to run errands for any immunocompromised or elderly people in your neighborhood who may not be able to leave their homes to buy food, household items, etc. Offer to donate meals to single parents who may be sick and caring for their children alone.
Volunteer with Meals on Wheels. They will be particularly strained during these weeks.
Support businesses and organizations who are under strain. Donate online to your favorite local museum that has closed. Buy online from local businesses. Make an effort to buy tickets to local shows and concerts when they reopen.
Donate blood. As more people contract the virus, those eligible to donate will be fewer. If you’re healthy, donate blood now so that there is not a shortage of blood. The virus cannot be contracted by giving blood!
Offer to babysit. With so many schools closed, if you know of a parent who can’t work remote (like a nurse or a postal worker), offer to watch their children while they are at work.
Buy groceries for those who are out of work. If you know of someone who is living paycheck to paycheck and is out of work because of a closed business, or may be having trouble making ends meet, bring by a bag of groceries.
Donate to homeless shelters. Send goods to your shelters through Amazon, or donate financially if you can. They are especially in need during this time.
Call someone who lives alone. Think of everyone you can who may be stuck at home alone. It’s hard not to get stir-crazy or lonely with no human contact. Call to check on them and see if they’d like to talk for a bit.
Remember, the best thing you can do to support your community during the coronavirus outbreak is to limit your exposure to others and practice good hand washing frequently. Slow the spread of the virus, and America’s healthcare apparatus will be able to do what it does best — get everyone well again.
If you want to know more about how the coronavirus is affecting basic training, click here.
If you’re looking for ways to ease the fears of a loved one at basic training, click here.
If you want to know about how the coronavirus is affecting PCS and TDY orders, click here.
If you want to know how to get tested for the coronavirus with Tricare, click here.
For the latest Covid-19 updated from the CDC, click here.
