Of course, the best and easiest ways to help others during the coronavirus pandemic is to wash your hands, social distance if you must go out, self-quarantine if you are sick or think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 and cancel any group gatherings, especially of more than 10 people.<\/p>
For most of us, self-isolating is new, but all this distance from one another doesn’t make us helpless in this collective fight. There are still things we can do for one another. Whether you have time, money, a car or even a phone, there are big and small ways you can help others.<\/p>
1. Only buy what you need, so everyone in your community can get what they need.<\/p>
2. Give to your local food bank<\/a>. They all need help and contributions, especially those in communities hardest hit by COVID-19.<\/p> 3. Give blood. According to the American Red Cross<\/a>, there is an urgent need for blood due to the coronavirus outbreak. Find a blood drive near you<\/a>.<\/p> 4. Consider fostering or adopting a pet<\/a> in need, as typical shelter volunteers aren’t able to make it in to help at this time — and they’re always in need of food and cleaning supplies, too.<\/p> 5. Start a community garden in the neighborhood and set up a schedule to stagger work times for distanced gardening. It’ll help soothe the stir crazy and can teach an important skill and provide food.<\/p> 6. Share with your community if you find yourself with an abundance of food or provisions. One family canceled their son’s Bar Mitzvah<\/a> but decided to keep their contract with a tiny Hmong-owned business and delivered the food to friends in quarantine and sent the rest home with others. And there was this guy who set up a toilet paper exchange<\/a> on a street corner, so those with extra could drop off and those in need could pick up.<\/p>