It's safe to say the whole world is living in strange and unprecedented times. Basically, the IRL version of this:
But in the midst of a crisis, there are always people who step up and show the rest of us what being a good neighbour is all about. Take, for example, Rebecca Mehra, a Stanford athlete who saw an elderly couple terrified to enter a supermarket.
I went to the grocery store this afternoon. As I was walking in I heard a woman yell to me from her car. I walked over and found an elderly woman and her husband. She cracked her window open a bit more, and explained to me nearly in tears that they are afraid to go in the store.
Reader, she did their shopping for them.
Across the UK, the COVID-19 Mutual Aid Network was quickly formed. It sprang into action to help communities help each other. The organisation now has 1,500 groups across the UK catering to the needs of the country's most vulnerable people.
On Monday when there were 700 groups, now over 1500 gearing up to take action Mutual Aid is about collective responsibility & recognising which of our neighbours might need some help or support so that our community can stay safe and united in a time of crisis. #CoronaVirus
Then there's this Yorkshire street, where the community has adopted a cool way of letting each other know when they're in need of assistance. Residents have added a green paper to each window, which they'll swap for a red one if the person inside requires assistance, shopping, medication, or transport.
At home the whole street has added green paper to their windows. If it changes to red it’s means they require assistance, shopping, medication or transport. THIS IS AMAZING 💚 #coronavirus
This game of "social distancing footie" between neighbours shows that people are finding new ways of connecting.
I put this on Instagram last night and it seemed to make people smile so I’m sharing here too 😀Xxx #SocialDistancing
Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville announced the closure of the two hotels he co-owns in Manchester and plans to gives all 176 beds to NHS workers self-isolating from families in case they get infected.
A message from our co-owner Gary Neville. @GNev2 @hotelfootballuk @StockExHotel
And James Watt, a cofounder of Brewdog, announced that the company would be using its beer distillery to make hand sanitiser, which it will be giving away FOR FREE. He told Sky News: "We want to do what we can to help the country get through this quickly."
Hand sanitiser is selling out everywhere. So we have started using our distillery to make Punk Sanitiser. We want to do all we can to help everyone get through this difficult time.
The power of music can also go a long way. In Columbus, Ohio, brother-and-sister duo Taran Tien, 9, and Calliope Tien, 6, put on a cello concert for their 78-year-old neighbour Helena Schlam.
My elderly neighbor is self-isolating. So the neighbor kids are playing her a cello concert from her patio.
In Scotland, Asiyah Javed and her husband, Jawad Javed, distributed free antibacterial hand gel, face masks, and groceries to isolated elderly people in their community.
Thank you! :) Asiyah and Jawad Javed from #DayTodayExpress in Stenhousemuir, #Falkirk Scotland for giving away free coronavirus packs with masks and hand gel to OAPs https://t.co/kz1bNdkAAW? #CoronaVirusUK #NHS #Scotland #Free #Charity #Community #ElderlyWellCare #Compassion
There was an overwhelming response when Gavin John Adams, a lawyer and author, shared that he was in isolation on the eve of his birthday. Thousands of people wished him well as a result.
I don’t have many Twitter followers . . . So you probably won’t see this: I’ve had a really bad year & I’m now in self-isolation. But It’s my birthday tomorrow. It would mean a lot to get a Happy Birthday from any stranger. Will my followers RT? Will you respond? Here goes . . .
"I'm absolutely astounded by your kindness and selflessness."
I want to thank you all individually for the wonderful birthday wishes you are continuing to send me. It's proving impossible because there are so many. I'm absolutely astounded by your kindness and selflessness. Thank you. Thank you so much. I feel like George Bailey.
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This mosque and education centre in Dewsbury is one of several religious communities mobilising to offer support to vulnerable populations, with a particular emphasis on elderly and disabled people.
Covid-19 Support Service Zakaria Masjid and Education Centre are launching a service to support vulnerable members of the community. The service will aim to assist with the delivery of shopping and any other reasonable help and support required. #COVID19 #coronavirus #Corona
Supermarkets are also responding to the constant wave of customers panic-buying/stockpiling/preparing to self-isolate by setting aside time for elderly people to do their shopping. It appeared to start with this Iceland store in west Belfast.
Iceland Foods at Kennedy Centre, West Belfast will be opening their store between 8-9am for the elderly starting this Tuesday. The wider public are asked to respect this hour as it has been allocated for elderly people only. Would be great to see other stores now do the same 👏
And other high street stores are also jumping in to do their part by offering discounts and a free hot drink to key support workers — because every little helps.
Please retweet and share this with as many people as you can to help us spread the word. Last night we announced we'd be offering 50% off for all #NHSstaff. NHS workers are toiling around the clock and will be for the forseeable future. #NHSheroes #NHSthankyou
This one is on us 💚
To thank our emergency services, health and social care workers for all your amazing work in keeping us all safe, just show your work ID in a restaurant and have any free drink on us