Helping Each Other Through This Crisis

Empowerment is how we help each other through this crisis. It is what our society is built on. There are calls for shutdowns all across the country; many states have issued “stay-at-home” orders as a means of combating the fast-spreading COVID-19 disease, also known as the Coronavirus. Every aspect of our lives has been affected by this virus; millions of people are facing devastating hardships. Many are struggling to manage the bare essentials in their daily lives, routines which “until now” came naturally. Personal and business losses are enormous and growing. People are now asking what will happen next.

Experts say a second wave is imminent, making the need to empower everyone to make contributions in their own way; we all have a role to play and all of our tasks matter. History tells us all challenges should be tackled from the bottom up. 

A unique American strategy would be to look to governing bodies, businesses, educators, and human beings from all walks of life, in each community, to locate revolutionary approaches to assist each other in the fight. Still, private organizations like major league sports have made the costly decision to suspend significant crowd events (uncertain when or if they will be rescheduled). Weddings, church gatherings, concerts, performing arts, and most social gatherings, even funerals, have been limited to small groups or put on hold to protect public health. Others that can function while protecting public health, such as food distribution centers, are doing what it takes to keep grocery store aisles stocked. Distilleries are changing their kettles and stills to make hand sanitizers.

 Technology companies are tracking the spread of the disease using data analytics to keep the public informed. Educators found unique ways to serve students after schools were closed, using online customized courses offering students a chance at individualized learning. This free resource curriculum is a welcomed site for parents now home with more than 30 million kids. However, I did learn of one slight drawback: electronic stores in my neighborhood were out of flash cameras, necessary for some home computers, “a good neighbor came to the rescue.”

In Brookhaven, Georgia, a neighbor invited elementary school children, to partake in a science module on vertical gardening and farming. The children planted seedlings to take home, watch the sprouts, and then place them in her vertical towers to grow veggies or other plants. In keeping with staying healthy, there were strict safety rules, 1) thoroughly wash their hands (as evidence, arrive with a paper towel drying their hands) 2) parents must accompany to ensure everyone adheres to social distancing and 3) bring a plastic spoon…Neighbors coming together in a spirit of cooperation and empowerment, meeting their individual needs in ways that. Only they can, because only they, know what works and what doesn’t as this crisis looms.

“#GiveTogetherNow” …is a rapid response emergence cash assistance fund, established for the expressed purpose of getting fast cash to families impacted by the efforts to contain COVID-19 disease. It is funded by “Stand Together and Family Independence,” both are charitable organizations that discover innovative ways to remove barriers in communities that are struggling economically due to the shutdown. All donations

(100%) will go to those hardest hit by the Coronavirus crisis. The rise of such charitable organizations tailored to local communities is perhaps the most heartfelt story in this current crisis.

Public Officials have empowered those in positions, to respond rapidly, by breaking down barriers standing in the way of making a valid medical discussion. Many states have lifted restrictions on telemedicine. Others are lessening restrictions on licensing laws that prevent qualified medical professionals from assisting patients; all the while creating an environment in which people can help solves problems in their communities by cooperating with others.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, recently updated critical guide-lines to home health agencies, related to infection control and prevention for COVID-19. The guide-lines is nothing home health agencies don’t already know, it is just a reminder of the servility of the virus, how fast it is spreading and worsening every hour.

The pandemic is indeed scary. But let’s all remember to help one another, empower people who can responsibly operate businesses with active social distancing, without endangering public health. Experts say, this helps to keep people employed, it ensures that everyone is doing their part to save jobs and remain healthy—something that will be even more critical when the “new wave” of Coronavirus comes in the weeks and months ahead.

Author
Terri Edwards
Marketing Director
Mir Home Care Inc.
Facebook – Twitter