How to Help your Community during the Coronavirus Pandemic

The COVID-19 crisis is an unprecedented event that has caused all of our lives to become disrupted. This pandemic has impacted every area of our society, and no one has been able to escape its effects. Countless businesses have shut down here in Mississippi and throughout the country, millions of workers suddenly find themselves out of a job, and many of those who are still working are now doing so from home.

The coronavirus outbreak is one of those rare experiences that is shared by everyone, and one in which we can truly say “we are all in this together.” Everyone has been affected by it differently, depending on their personal situation, and a lot of people are struggling to get through it. But as with every other crisis in our history, Mississippians and all Americans are pulling together to help the most vulnerable in their local communities.

Whether you are stuck at home or you are still able to go out, there are several ways you can help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Donate or Volunteer to a Food Shelf: The local food shelves are feeling a double pinch because of the coronavirus situation. The economic devastation caused by the pandemic has caused demand to skyrocket, and many of their volunteers are not able to come in because they are seniors or others in high risk groups. These places are badly in need of both manpower and financial support.

• Donate Blood Safely: Because of fears of catching COVID-19, blood donations have plummeted throughout the country. But people still need blood, and the Red Cross has implemented safety protocols to help ensure that you can donate without exposing yourself to the virus. For example, all of their staff are required to wear gloves, they take each person’s temperature before they enter the building, they keep donors at least 6 feet apart, and they sanitize all surfaces between donors.

• Help and Encourage those Who are Shut In: One group that is really struggling with this situation is the elderly and others who are shut into their houses or living in nursing homes. They are afraid to go out even to the grocery store for essentials, and since they are generally not allowed to see any of their loved ones, many of them are feeling lonely. There are several ways we can help the seniors in our community. One easy thing that pretty much everyone could do is to call them up, find out how they are doing, and chat with them for a while. A lot of us have extra time on our hands being at home, and this is a very fruitful way to invest some of it. You could also send text messages, photos, or greeting cards with creative messages on them. And if you are able, many seniors need someone to go out and pick up their groceries for them.

• Support Essential Workers: While many of us are staying “safe at home”, there are a lot of workers who do not have that luxury. They are essential workers that are on the front lines doing the necessary tasks to fight this virus and keep our country functional. These include healthcare workers, truck drivers, and those who work in grocery stores. You can help them by sending them a meal or a gift card for food or coffee. Or if you possess these skills, there are some people who are also making homemade masks to give to front-line workers who may otherwise be exposed to the virus. If nothing else, even a “thank you” or another word of encouragement goes a long way.

• Support Local Restaurants: With restaurants having closed or severely limited their services, those in the community are looking for any way they can to support these establishments. If the restaurant is still open for take-out or delivery, you can patronize them that way. Otherwise, you can help them now by purchasing a gift certificate that you can use at a later date.

• Volunteer for a Nonprofit Remotely: If you are stuck at home, you can still be a volunteer by joining a nonprofit that helps people remotely. For example, Alone is a support and befriending service where you can provide virtual companionship to the elderly. Or you could become a crisis counselor to help those who are struggling because of the effects of the coronavirus situation. For the counselor position, training is required, and you will need to submit two character references.

Together we Will Get Through This

The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything most of us have ever experienced. But Americans are pulling together, and we will not only get through this, but we will come out stronger for it on the other side. At the Gardner Law Firm, we want you to know that we are here for you if you need us. Like everyone else, most of our work is being done remotely as we follow all of the social distancing guidelines. But if you have a legal issue, rest assured we are ready and able to provide the same strong personalized representation our clients have come to expect from us.

Feel free to contact us anytime by calling (228) 900-9618 or sending us an online message. We look forward to serving you!