April 08, 2020
Our favorite inspirational stories of people helping people in a time of crisis.
As the novel Coronavirus continues to spread, an increasing number of communities across the globe are going on lockdown. While self-isolation offers a great tool to combat a pandemic, it's not without drawbacks. As businesses temporarily shut down, millions of Americans are out of work. Conversely, those with “essential" jobs, like medical personnel and police officers, simply can't stay home and must put themselves at risk on the daily. But the human spirit is strong, and many people are going above and beyond to help each other out. Check out our latest #CoronaVirus favorites.
Out of Work, Not Hope
As a result of social distancing, many people are being asked to work from home. Unfortunately, there are some jobs you simply can't do remotely. Construction workers, Uber drivers, bartenders, retail employees are among the many thousands of workers suddenly without income. Thankfully, many employers are stepping up to the plate.
According to @nic.taliaferro, the coffee company Intelligentsia is continuing to pay their staff, despite shops being closed. The post also references @open4service, a handle that features baristas and coffee shops whose businesses are affected by the virus. Small gestures are appreciated as well — take @mayfarmflowers, a flower farm based in Sydney, Australia. They're gifting a bucket of small roses to anyone who has lost their employment as a result of the pandemic. Way to brighten up someone's day!
Helping Put Food on the Table
Hunger is already a problem in our country, with 1 in 7 Americans relying on food banks to feed their families. With so many people not working, it's becoming more difficult for those most vulnerable to access fresh food and groceries. Luckily, various non-profits and charitable organizations are finding ways to help.
In San Jose, Calif., the River of Life Church has set an incredible example by creating a drive-through food pantry. The non-profit @cityteam is helping communities find creative solutions to grocery shopping, like door-to-door delivery for low-income apartment buildings. And in West Babylon, N.Y., a tattoo parlor is accepting curbside donations of any non-perishable food items and household goods, and even offering 10 percent off your next tattoo in return! Want to help? Consider donating extra canned goods to local food banks.
Thank Your Doctors and Nurses
The unsung heroes during the the millions of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers around the world who are working extra shifts and risking their own personal health and wellness to help those in need right now. This video repost from @senrevepoints to the problem of mask shortages in hospitals and offers to donate 100 masks for every handbag purchased. In Rhode Island, a local @jerseymikes provided dinner for ER workers at Kent Hospital. And in the U.K., greeting card creator @jadefishercardco is offering cheeky nurse cards; with each sale, they're donating about $1.25 to the National Health Service (NHS).
There are lots of ways to show your appreciation. If you have any extra gloves or medical masks, contact a local hospital to see if they're accepting donations. Or take a cue from @craftygirlinthecity and use your sewing skills to create face masks for families and healthcare workers!
Want to join the movement? Check it out on Instagram and Facebook. And don't forget to share your inspirational stories using #CoronaKindness!
