20 Ideas to Help Others During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Look for the Helpers

In the face of any crisis, people seek comfort. One of those small comforts has come to be Mr. Rogers’ famous advice to look for the helpers. “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news,” Rogers said to his television neighbors, “my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Now more than ever our country and communities need helpers. Wright Physical Therapy has always held our core value of “Charity Never Fails” in line with what we do each day and we firmly believe that being “helpers” during the COVID-19 pandemic is a necessary charitable contribution and it will help our communities push through this together. 

All of our clinics remain open to serve our patients and our communities. As physical therapists we have a special responsibility to continue to treat patients during this time and help free up front line medical teams impacted by COVID-19. We are also now offering Telehealth Physical Therapy services to patients across the state of Idaho as well as Wright at Home services at our locations to ensure our commitment to patients and communities remains unwavering in such unprecedented times.  

Of course, the best and easiest ways to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic is to wash your hands, social distance if you go out, self-quarantine if you are sick or think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 and cancel any large group gatherings.

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. 

20 ideas to help others during COVID-19 Pandemic:

1. Only buy what is necessary and avoid hoarding, so everyone in your community can get the supplies they need and share with your community if you find yourself with an abundance of food or provisions.
2. Give to your local food bank as you are able to do so. They all need help and contributions, especially those in communities hardest hit by COVID-19. Drop any non-perishable food/essential non-perishable household item(s) outside of our clinics and we will distribute for you as an extra help.
3. Give blood. According to the American Red Cross,  there is an urgent need for blood due to the coronavirus outbreak.
4. Consider fostering or adopting a pet 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.
5. Check on seniors, disabled or other at-risk neighbors in your area. Since there should be no contact right now, print out a WPT Kindness card and leave it on their door or doorstep. Then they’ll know how to reach out!
6. Donate time or resources to Meals on Wheels America, which works to keep older Americans across the country safe and nourished.  
7. Check in on anyone you know who might have depression or anxiety, both of which can be exacerbated during a crisis like this. That check in could mean much more to them. Schedule regular chats or even book readings by phone with homebound individuals who may need an extra social boost.
8. Remind your kids to call grandparents and other senior family members every couple of days. If they’re set up to do video chat, even better.
9. Have the kids draw pictures and write letters to local seniors in nursing homes who can’t have visitors at this time.
10. Call a friend or relative who’s far away and lives alone. The mental toll of self isolation can be immense for some people. Reach out to them, let them hear your voice, listen to them and make sure they are in a good mental place.
11. Shop or do errands for quarantined (even self-quarantined) families who need to stay home or don’t want to take their kids out in public areas.
12. If you’re a senior stuck at home or parent who’s home with your kids, consider doing a virtual story hour or game night using a free app like FaceTime or WhatsApp. One adult can keep several kids entertained at a time.
13. Donate to the Coronavirus Care Fund, which provides immediate financial support for in-home care workers, nannies and house cleaners during the crisis.
14. If you know people in the health care industry — nurses, doctors, admins, CNAs, paramedics or others — do something for them or their families: Run errands, grocery shop, place online orders for things they need.
15. Be kind to staff working in grocery stores. They’re working hard, waiting for food delivery trucks and stocking the shelves as quickly as possible. Plus, they also have families and personal stresses of their own. A smile, some patience and a thank you can go a long way.
16. If you order food delivery, be kind to your delivery people. They’re under a lot of pressure right now too. For social distancing purposes, ask to have the order left on your doorstep or in the lobby or use the new “no contact” option offered on many food delivery apps. Tip well — as if you were dining in or $5 at minimum — and tip digitally so cash doesn’t have to be exchanged.  If there are mistakes or delays, please forgive.
17. Shop locally wherever you can for meaningful items.
18. Buy gift certificates now for your favorite local restaurants and use them later.  Many of them are offering discounts now so it is a win-win. Have dinner delivered from a great local restaurant to someone in need.
19. For local cafes, book shops and other small businesses with online shops, give them your business online if they have earned it.
20. Start a community garden in the neighborhood and set up a schedule to stagger work times for distanced gardening. It very well could help soothe the stir crazy and can teach an important skill and provide food.

Yours in Health,

The Staff at Wright Physical Therapy