It’s easy to feel helpless during the outbreak of COVID-19 as everything shuts down around us. A vaccine’s a long way off, tests are still too few and too late, and it seems like the worst is yet to come. But each of us CAN play an important role during this outbreak. It might not be glamorous—it’s certainly not the stuff of movie heroes or epic poetry—but it’s important, and it’s up to us.
Each one of us can lessen the impact of COVID-19:
Stay at home
Staying at home minimizes the risk of transmission. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you could still be carrying the virus, so “over-reactions” aren’t “over.” They should be the new normal for all of us. Social distancing will save lives.
Wash your hands
Wash with soap and hot water for a full twenty seconds. Soap literally rips viruses apart.
Shop local
Small, local business are suffering right now. Employees of those small business are, too. If you’re able, you can help a neighborhood restaurant survive by ordering takeout. If there are other ways you can shop local without going out, please do so.
You could order a gift card for later, or tip generously, or even just give a donation.
You could also keep track of what you would ordinarily spend on theater, concerts, or events. Put that money aside to spend in future with those same organizations.
Help your neighbors
If you have elderly or immunocompromised neighbors, you can offer to pick up groceries, pet food, medication, or whatever else they might need. To keep them safe, we recommend dropping off those supplies outside their front door without any face-to-face interaction—and having them disinfect everything before they bring it into their home.
Help your community
Various places in King County are providing food assistance, housing assistance, or help with childcare. They could use your support.
Smell the roses
Many Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities are closed, but most parks, trails, and other open spaces are not. As long as you don’t gather with other people, these natural areas are just as safe as ever. Take a hike, go rock climbing, strap on some snowshoes, paddle a kayak. Washingtonians, now’s the time to live up to our reputation as outdoors-persons.
And if you’re bored inside your own house, you can use this as an opportunity to finally get organized, check your smoke alarms batteries and fire extinguisher expiration dates, and other last-on-the-list tasks.
So much else
Monica Guzman hosted a very satisfying discussion on her Facebook page about other ways to help our community.
Although there’s a lot of fear and uncertainty right now, there’s also a lot of hope and love. I see people helping others all over the city. I see self-sacrifice (for the sake of strangers!) happening everywhere I look.
