People Who Need Your Help During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on just about everyone. For example, despite many of us having our income adversely impacted, cost of living has continued to rise throughout the course of the pandemic. Furthermore, the active threat of COVID-19 and its many variants has facilitated big changes in how many of us go about our daily routines. Of course, this isn’t to say that some people haven’t had it worse than others. Individuals suffering from compromised immunity, lack of financial resources and various other afflictions are in particular need of assistance – and there’s a good chance you’re in a position to give it to them. 

The Elderly 

As people grow older, their immune systems become less resilient. That being the case, senior citizens are particularly vulnerable to infection from the novel coronavirus – as well as a host of other viruses. Given how contagious COVID-19 and its many variants are, venturing into crowded public spaces poses a fairly large threat to seniors. So, if you have any vulnerable senior citizens in your life, provide them with assistance whenever necessary. 

Since many public spaces are rife with infection risks, why not offer to run certain errands for the seniors in your life? For example, grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions are just a few of the essential tasks you can carry out for seniors. Additionally, with so many businesses providing patrons with remote shopping and contactless pickup options, you needn’t worry about placing yourself in harm’s way when tackling these errands. 

The Immunocompromised 

Of course, not everyone suffering from compromised immunity is a senior. People of all ages deal with less-than-stellar immunity for a wide variety of reasons that range from serious illness to genetic disorder. Furthermore, certain conditions that cause compromised immunity are considered disabilities. So, if you or anyone you know suffers from such a condition, you may want to look into long term disability insurance. 

As is the case with seniors, running essential errands for immunocompromised friends and family members can effectively minimize their infection risks and be a boon to their overall safety. However, this is far from the only way to protect the immunocompromised. Taking measures to minimize your own risk of infection can help keep the people with whom you regularly interact safe from COVID-19. This means staying current with vaccine boosters, masking up in public and practicing social distancing whenever possible.    

The Financially Strained 

It’s no secret that the U.S. isn’t exactly the best country to be poor in. With wages remaining stagnant amidst large increases in cost of living, it isn’t hard to see why so many Americans are consistently struggling to make ends meet. Furthermore, for many of us, the pandemic has only served to worsen things. In light of pandemic-facilitated layoffs, furloughs and reduced operating hours, a fair number of Americans have seen a significant decrease in income. As such, helping people who have been bled dry financially should be foremost on the mind of anyone looking to pay it forward.

When searching for ways to assist the less fortunate, keep an eye out for local food or clothing drives. For instance, Californians interested in making a difference should consider getting involved with Food Share of Ventura County.  

You 

Practicing self-care is particularly important in times such as these. It can’t be denied that we’re living through a stressful, scary period. Justifiable fear of contracting COVID-19, job anxiety and large changes to our established routines are just a few of the pandemic-related stressors many of us grapple with on a daily basis. In the interest of keeping your stress levels in check, take care to consistently carve out time for engaging in pastimes and hobbies that are conducive to happiness and inner calm. 

We’ve all been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in one way or another. Even people who have opted to regard the pandemic as a joke and refuse to comply with various restrictions have seen their lives impacted. Given the many dangers posed by the novel coronavirus and its growing number of variants, all of us should be taking active measures to keep ourselves safe. At the same time, however, we need to remember the importance of helping vulnerable people during difficult periods.