covid-19: how you can be one of the 'helpers'

whether you’re feeling utterly powerless seeing the rising numbers everyday or a sense of rage reading about “ covidiots, ” don’t let the feelings get you down. there are endless ways you can make a difference.

bring out the sewing machine

the early messaging in north america that the general public did not need masks backfired . yes, medical-grade respiratory masks like the n95 masks should absolutely be prioritized to protect frontline healthcare workers, who in the end, protect us all. but to say masks don’t offer any protection to the general public is flawed. officials in china, south korea, japan and hong kong have recommended face masks , credited them as part of the solution, and ramped up production in their own countries. taiwan had the foresight to create a large stockpile of face masks .

"countries also expressed several common challenges.

the chronic global shortage of personal protective equipment is now one of the most urgent threats to our collective ability to save lives"-@drtedros #covid19 #coronavirus

— world health organization (who) (@who) march 27, 2020

if you have a sewing machine and know how to use it, you can help add to the supply in canada as well. that’s what sarah woods weber, creator of dreampower costumes , has been doing. the waterloo, ont.-based maker has been sewing cloth masks for her neighbours who work at hospitals and others who have been asking her.

woods weber has been doing research with her mother into the best fabrics that can act as a filter for cloth masks. they’ve found cotton polyblends are best and antimicrobial bedsheets with a high thread count work in a pinch. if you have a sewing machine, you can find instructions online . woods weber recommends researching the best materials that can ensure both breathability and filtration before starting.

while it’s different from the coronavirus, a 2013 study shows that homemade masks work better than nothing against the influenza virus.

if you’ve got a 3d printer, use it

dr. tarek loubani , an emergency physician at london health sciences centre, has created a template for 3d printing face-shields and sterilizable stethoscopes to reduce virus transmission for health care workers. his  files are all available online . this week, the toronto public library loaned 10 printers to toronto general hospital to produce personal protective equipment.

check on anyone who is alone

social solidarity is needed now more than ever. just because we’re social distancing doesn’t mean we should be social isolating. if you know of any family members or friends who live alone and are self-quarantining solo, it might be a good opportunity to text, phone, or schedule a video chat, or ‘brunch’ over google hangouts .

run errands

offer help to those on the frontlines, or those who are unable to work from home. it could mean cooking, picking up groceries, or even taking care of their children while they work. people who are vulnerable to covid-19, such as the elderly or immuno-suppressed, may need help picking up medicines or other essentials. there are several ‘caremongering’ groups on facebook — toronto , london , kitchener-waterloo  — that can match you up with a person in need.

donate blood

although blood is not used to treat covid-19, the need for blood hasn’t stopped, says delphine denis, spokesperson for canadian blood services. she adds that canadian blood services sites are prepared for respiratory infections and carefully screen all prospective donors for any symptoms of illness, even very mild ones. donor beds are wiped down after every use, and donor centres are being frequently cleaned.

fred rogers, the host of children’s television show mister rogers’ neighbourhood often told this story of his mother.

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covid-19: how you can be one of the 'helpers'

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