With all of us following the necessary guidelines of social distancing, self-isolation, and quarantine, it can be easy to get wrapped up in what sets us apart. The real lesson that this crisis has taught us, however, is quite the opposite. It’s a lesson in what brings us together: working together for the good of all.
How People Around The Country Are Chipping In
Many individuals who have invested in the 3D printing craze in recent years have turned their attention to making face shields for healthcare workers. With stockpiles of these vital protective tools unable to keep up with the unprecedented demand, individual volunteers working to meet the needs of essential workers, have made countless doctors and nurses safer as they deal with this crisis.
Gamers, with their super-powerful computers, are stepping up to lend a hand as well. Researchers have historically used idle game systems and computers of volunteers to process molecular dynamics simulations. Now this project is shifting toward COVID-19, and there are more volunteers than ever helping scientists to understand this disease with more collective computing power than a supercomputer.
BusBank, the group transportation national experts providing services for prom to sports events and Fortune 500 companies, is now working to shuttle emergency personnel to and from hospitals. We’re honored to be selected to help essential workers get where they need to go.
What Can You Do To Help?
You don’t need a 3D printer, a cutting edge computer, or a fleet of charter busses to help out in this crisis. There’s plenty that anyone can do to help us all get through this situation safely.
Stay home. Perhaps the most important and, the easiest thing you can do is simply stay put. We can all experience a bit of stir craziness in these times, and sheltering in place is easier for some than it is for others. However, staying home is the first step in doing your part to help whenever possible. Try to avoid public transportation. Try to be cautious at all times, and especially around essential workers.
Encourage others. From green porch lights to rainbow chalk drawings in the driveway, to simply letting everyone in your circle know about both the importance of staying put and our collective ability to get through this together — encouragement is a powerful tool to fight COVID-19.
Find a helpful hobby. Many people isolated at home have found fulfillment in helping others. Not only can a new hobby like this keep you sane while social distancing, but it can also help others in need. One such hobby involves being the virtual eyes for the blind. An app connects you to a blind person via video chat so they can ask questions about, for example, what their mail says, or the labels on food.
Donate. Marginalized populations are at risk now more than ever. Consider donating to a local food bank or one of the many charities specifically set up to help with coronavirus relief. One unique way to help is to donate an old computer. Lots of jobs have gone remote these days, but not everyone has a personal computer at home. One organization has made it their mission to give everyone access to this often necessary technology.
