Hey, fellow social distancers! I’ve been trying to come up with ways to help others and I realized I should share in case you guys are looking for things you can do.
PLEASE post any other ideas you have! I’ve seen the idea to buy gift cards at restaurants to use later–that is awesome. I’m still brainstorming ideas and would love to hear more ideas from y’all.
Ways you can help:
1) When you order meal delivery (UberEats has waived delivery fees here–not sure about everywhere), please tip well if you can. Delivery jobs don’t pay well, are putting the people at higher risk of infection, and are tenuous–especially right now.
2)While ordering your dinner, why not order a meal for someone else who might need it? Have a neighbor who lives alone? Family in another town? Offer to order dinner for them.
3) Shelters are a tough place to be any time, but now is even more difficult. Consider sending them a package from Amazon or your local grocer. Things like bar soap, hand soap, tissues (for some reason, these are easily avail), cough meds, tylenol, motrin, sanitizing or baby wipes, etc. If you have Amazon Prime, you can send a gift with your subscription with no shipping fees, too. Please do call ahead to the shelter and ask what they can use and if they have any limitations (some don’t take medicine)
4) Same thing for pet shelters. Right now, apparently some people are giving up their pets out of virus fear. Or maybe they can no longer care for them because of finances. You can send a package with food and other supplies directly to the shelter. Again, please call ahead to find out their needs so you can maximize your gift.
5) For families and singles isolating: consider gifting a move on Amazon or Apple, or a Kindle Unlimited subscription for a month or two, or a Disney+ subscription or similar. Surprise a friend with a dvd or coloring book or board game. Ship it directly to them.
6) Sew masks in case there is a need (the CDC is saying medical professionals may have to resort to bandanas or scarves (preferably with a face shield over) because of the mask shortage. I feel like I need to reiterate that cloth masks are NOT good prevention, but they can serve a few purposes (possibly some protection against droplets or to contain a person’s sneeze some, reminders to keep hands off the face, etc). Message me if you want the link to patterns.
I know that money is tight. I’ve still not seen any money trees growing anywhere, but there are things you can do that don’t cost anything but a little time.
7) Call or text people living alone. Call or text your neighbors, your friends, and especially the parents now faced with homeschooling. (lol, kidding. But seriously, homeschooling can cause stress on top of the stress the virus and disruption of routine we are already facing). Let people know that you are there for them. To listen and help any way you can. To drop a couple rolls of tp on their porch or pick up their meds if needed and if you can.
It’s amazing how much it helps to just have contact and connection with another person. I called a local specialty pet place Wednesday looking for prescription food, learned they didn’t carry it, but spent an HOUR talking to the 19yo sweet young man who was there working alone (no one was shopping). We talked cats, music, virus stuff (his dad is a scientist on one of the vax trials, pretty interesting). He talked about his fears and concerns–and about school.
Take extra time to ask people how they are doing, and if they need anything. I know a lot of you do this already (cause my friends are awesome people), but now is the time to increase kindness! <3
8) Think about the medical professionals on the front lines. It’s likely you have nurses, doctors, lab workers, scientists, hospital staff and others in your neighborhood. Find out if they need anything. Ask them if there is anything you can do to help them have an easier time. If you don’t know people or have contact info, ask neighbors you do know if they help you. Utilize the Nextdoor app or your neighborhood’s Facebook page. Reach out.
9) #8 goes for others besides those on the medical front lines. Our public safety officers need support. So do the restaurant workers, pharmacists, cashiers, sanitation workers, mail delivery people (and Amazon delivery, FedEx, UPS, etc). Think about all those who are working so that we can be in the relative safety of our homes. Utility companies,
10) I’ve seen several people talk about journaling in this stressful time. I’m doing it. The records of how people responded may be useful one day. Or you may be able to use details in your post-apoc book (I have two series, and both are now put away indefinitely, LOLOLOL). Journaling helps many people feel better, relax, etc.
So yes, self-care. This is a marathon and we all need to tend to ourselves too, so that we can continue to help others. Whatever makes you less stressed: do it more often. Hot baths, playing with kids/pets, reading, making art, playing board games, yoga, working out, bingeing tv–whatever can reduce your stress. We want strong immune systems so we can beat this thing.
There’s no such thing as too much kindness. Let’s do this.
~ Kerry
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