4 Ways You Can Help During the Coronavirus Outbreak
In the past month, our day-to-day lives have completely transformed. With directives to shelter in place, normally bustling streets have turned into scenes from a ghost town. We’re all doing our best to help and cope with these massive changes, but because this pandemic is unlike anything we’ve ever seen, it can be challenging. While it’s normal to feel helpless during a crisis, the reality is we can all play a part in lessening the impact of this horrible disease and curbing the spread of the infection.
Here are four ways you can help during the Coronavirus outbreak:
- Donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Healthcare workers, government agencies, and essential business employees who still have to make their way to work every day are doing so without the resources they need to stay safe.
This is particularly true for our healthcare providers; they’re being inundated with Coronavirus cases that are growing steadily with each passing day. Unfortunately, many of them are forced to reuse the same supplies or go without, even when working closely with infected patients. If you have the means, consider how you might purchase bulk supplies for these businesses and health care facilities currently facing a shortage. There are trusted suppliers like iPromo that are offering bulk medical supplies – without price-gouging. From non-contact infrared thermometers to face masks, they have a variety of PPE supplies in stock that you can donate to your local healthcare facilities and essential businesses.
- Follow the CDC’s Guidelines
Helping battle against Coronavirus is as simple as heeding instructions. Follow the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) guidelines for weathering this storm and pay attention to your local and state mandates and recommendations.
- Avoid close contact: By staying at home, and only heading out for essentials, you can do your part to flatten the curb by mitigating the risk of transmission. Try to avoid close contact with others and maintain distance when out in public.
- Wash your hands: Clean your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially if you’ve left your home or coughed or sneezed.
- Cover your face in public: Even if you’re not showing symptoms, you could spread COVID-19 to others. Wear a cloth face cover when you head out of the house. Note: if you have a facemask meant for a healthcare worker, consider donating.
- Keep things clean: Try to wash down and disinfect your frequently touched surfaces every day.
- Support Local Businesses
If you’re able, try to show your support to local businesses that are struggling with the economic impacts of this terrible disease. This might mean ordering takeout from your favorite places occasionally (just be sure to practice social distancing and wipe down everything you bring into your home). You may also choose to purchase online gift cards from local stores to help provide cash flow when they’re otherwise unable to open their doors to guests.
- Show Gratitude to Local Healthcare Workers
Doctors, nurses, and other key medical staff spend their days helping sick patients, and putting their own health on the line. To show your gratitude for their noble efforts, consider sending messages thanking them for all of their dedication. Many hospitals, like Sunrise Hospital, offer online forms in which the public can send messages of thanks to hospital workers. Small words of encouragement can go a long way, and these hardworking men and women deserve all the appreciation in the world for their painstaking efforts in the Coronavirus fight.
Small efforts can have a huge impact. Consider the ways you can help out your community during these challenging times. If we all work together, we can reduce the negative impacts of this unprecedented pandemic.