Coronavirus has impacted nearly every aspect of our economy and has necessitated a rethinking of our everyday lives, but it doesn’t mean you have to put the idea of creating the good on hold. In fact, there are many ways in which you can make a difference in the lives of others, and help everyone to get through this event, by being a source of helpful information and helping your neighbors with simple tasks. Here are just a few ideas.
Being informed in this fluid situation can help keep you and your family members safe, and may even help save your life. AARP is committed to providing its members, and the general public, information about the Coronavirus and family caregiving advice/tips in as timely a fashion as possible. Here’s what you need to know right now. It’s important to understand that the virus has a particularly strong impact on older adults, and if you count yourself or a loved one among members of this community, you’ll want to take even more strict measures to stay safe.
Tune to live, AARP Tele-Town Halls for perspective from esteemed federal government and private sector professionals and Q and A based on the current environment. Transcripts and replays of previous Tele-Town Halls are also available to review any time.
By staying informed on local news, you can make sure you’re aware of any changes to rules in terms of quarantine or medical guidance. And you can always keep up with the latest federal guidelines for living safely through the Coronavirus by reviewing the latest information from the CDC.
Have you learned something new about the risks, affects or management of the Coronavirus? For example, information on new scams related to the Coronavirus. You can share that information with family and neighbors immediately via email, text or social media. If you know someone who’s living alone, you can check in on them regularly to make sure they are feeling well and have the food, water and supplies they need. Remember to maintain the recommended six feet of social distancing when interacting with others one-on-one to significantly reduce disease transmission risk.
As the number of Coronavirus cases increase, many of the people you know will find it difficult to maintain their daily lives, especially if a member of their family falls ill or requires hospital care. In such cases, you can volunteer to help with household tasks like gathering mail, taking care of pets, plants or other household tasks, or offering to run errands for them around town. AARP Community Connections is a new website that offers steps to find help – or give it – during the coronavirus pandemic. At a time when people are self-isolating, the website connects you to support in your community. It also enables you to join or organize your own online mutual aid group to stay connected, share ideas and help your family, neighbors and those most affected by COVID-19.
With cleaning materials in short supply, many have taken upon themselves to make their own disinfecting wipes or cleaners. And while there are countless homemade recipes available for hand sanitizers and other essentials on the Internet, getting the formula right can be a challenge. The CDC has some important guidelines to review before you consider making your own. And if you do take the steps to DIY, make some extra and share with members of your community.