MENUHow can I help and contribute during coronavirus pandemic?
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
The coronavirus challenge and the need for action
The coronavirus pandemic is undoubtedly one of the greatest disasters in recent memory. It’s a shocking development, both in scope and time, that has paralyzed businesses, communities, tested and exposed governments, and disrupted individuals and families. There is hardly any aspect of human life that has not been touched.
The physical barriers resulting from the global outbreak, such as social distancing, reduced socialization, lockdown etc. have not only affected us physically, but also mentally. With physical barriers, the mind also tends to feel constrained, which affects our free thinking. It’s time to unlock the mind and generate ideas for action to actively engage ourselves in this historic moment and do our bit.
Ideas and options to serve and contribute
Organize and manage yourself
- The first thing to organize is your thoughts and feelings
- Don’t preoccupy yourself with negative thoughts and emotions
- Positive action requires a positive frame of mind
- If you are frustrated with isolation and lockdown, adopt hobbies that excite you or unleash your talent e.g. cooking, gardening, reading, writing, music, painting, etc.
- Doing good is also an effective therapy for frustration, stress etc.
- If you are a believer (even if you aren't), read the book (Quran, Bible etc.) and meditate;
- It’s excellent time for meditation, to calm you down, open up your mind, inspire and lead to action
- Allocate some time in your daily schedule for volunteering or philanthropic work that you wish to do
- Don't shy away fron humble beginnings; "The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention"
- If you are physically barred, make yourself active and engaged on phone, social media, etc.;
Learn and be informed
- Being well informed would enhance your capacity to help and guide others
- Be informed to protect yourself, your family and others from COVID-19
- Stay tuned with the news and updates
- Explore reputed news sources and social media channels for an accurate assessment on current and emerging situation
- It would help you know the emerging needs of the people
- You can thus timely target specific needs and do your bit
- But stay away from the sources that spread panic, sensationalism or false propaganda
Take preventive measures against coronavirus
- Contain the virus and avoid being a cause to spread it. Take preventive measures against the disease
- Cooperate and closely follow the advice of your local authorities to contain the disease within your own community
- Exert your influence to the extent possible and make prevention a priority within your family, friends, social circle, community and organization
Educate and raise awareness
- Share positive thoughts, stories, news and ideas
- Create awareness to deal with the pandemic and its related problems
- Share facts, clips, articles etc. from authentic sources to highlight the repercussions of not taking the situation seriously
- Spread the word on pressing needs, especially around your community or region; if you are unable to respond, others may
- Share information about organizations, products and services that may help dealing with current circumstances
- Tap your skills to spread the message: speech, poetry, painting, singing, blogging, tweeting etc.
Be mindful and look out for opportunities to help
- Actively observe and spot people with specific needs; at these times, vast number of people have unfulfilled needs
- And you may not need to look far; a relative, friend, neighbour, coworker, servant or even a passerby
- Probe and find out about any vulnerable individual, couple, community within your reach
- If you are unable to fulfill the need yourself, you may involve others to pitch in
Material help
- Your help could be in the form of cash or loan
- Gift (of what is desperately needed, without hurting self-esteem)
- Payment of a bill or debt
- A concession in product or service you sell based on other person's situation
- Food, groceries, medicines
- Masks, gloves, or any protective clothing
- Support a food bank
- Provision for a month (or week's) groceries, supplies
- Teach or help in schoolwork (over the phone, mobile or computer etc.)
- Call your neighbours, friends and loved ones etc. regularly, just to check up and to make them feel good
Support that hardly costs anything
- Share a meal
- Share something you own but don't like or need
- Extending the date of payment due to you
- Offering a ride at a time when commuting has become far more challenging than usual
- Call your neighbours, friends and loved ones etc. regularly, just to check up and to make them feel good
Promote and collaborate with other initiatives, volunteers and groups
- Join hands with others; working together can boost up the scope of your contribution to manifolds
- Actively seek opportunities of working together both within your own community or online
- Stay connected and engaged with your social circle, friends and family, encouraging and motivating each other for social action
- If you can't directly act, be a facilitator, communicator, coordinator, organizer, fund raiser etc.
- Connect the haves with have-nots
- And if nothing else, then find, follow, like and share; anything you find relevant and meaningful
