The COVID-19 pandemic has united our community to pursue the common goal of staying healthy. With social distancing in place, telework options available and the extensive use of protective measures in public areas, curbing the spread of this disease has become a new way of life. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a struggle. Having to stay home or work essential jobs in the midst of this crisis created significant changes to people’s lifestyles in the past several months, and some people are more at a disadvantage than others as a result. This is why it’s more important than ever for us to find ways to look out for one another. Here are some ways that you can check in on your friends and neighbors while still staying safe.
Make and Deliver Care Packages
Practically anything can go into a care package. You can include essentials like cleaning supplies and PPE, or you could put in home-baked treats, garden produce, office supplies, toys, cards, games and crafts. A care package isn’t just about providing resources to help someone out, though. It also shows that you care enough about your friend or neighbor to support them during this challenging time.
Deliver Meals
If you know of a neighbor who may have trouble accessing nutritious food during this crisis, if you have the means to take it upon yourself, consider making them meals and delivering them to their front door. Whether it’s a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a homemade casserole, your neighbor will undoubtedly be excited to receive and enjoy the food.
Donate Toys and Games
Kids have been home from school for months, and parents have had to balance work and childcare. So provide for the needs of a busy home by donating toys and games to keep the family occupied.
Call Them Up
Staying in communication with others is important during this crisis. With video calling and virtual group meetings on the rise, it has never been easier to talk to someone face to face without having to jeopardize your safety or theirs. Making routine phone calls to your loved ones can help immensely, as well, especially for those who may not be as technology literate.
Be A Handyman
If your neighbors need assistance with household chores like mowing grass, pulling weeds, painting walls or fences or repairing leaky pipes, offer to be the one who provides those services. Many of these tasks can be done in sanitary conditions and without being near your neighbor, so these make for easy jobs that will let your neighbors know they aren’t alone.
Snail Mail
There’s nothing quite like receiving a thoughtful piece of mail. It’s incredibly special to open a letter or card and realize that someone took time to find it and write a message inside. It’s also super easy to do and takes about five or ten minutes. Communication is instantaneous these days, but sending someone a card or letter through the mail is still a touching reminder that you care.
Teach Classes or Skills
If you are an educator or have a skill that you can teach, let your neighbors know about it! Learning something new is often thought to be a solution to boredom. You can help your neighbors by tutoring their kids in their school subjects or teaching them to do something like make a craft or play an instrument. With many people pursuing personal improvement during this time, this is also a great opportunity to teach organizational skills, exercise routines and self-care techniques. This can be done over video, outdoors or a safe distance apart inside the home.
Offer to Be An Adventure Buddy
Getting out of the house is an important thing to do right now since many people have been required to stay home for months. Offer to go on walks, hikes, bike rides or boating trips with your neighbors. Organize a group to go for a dessert run or do grocery shopping together (wearing a mask when appropriate, of course). Being around people, even if at physical distance, is part of who we are as human beings, and if we lose that, we will not be able to cope as well with challenging events. So be the one to organize a safe get-together.
There are many more ways that you can show your neighbors that you care in a safe and socially distanced way. We hope this list encourages you to reach out and make a difference in someone’s life. If you need advice on how to stay healthy during this pandemic, contact us today!
