Stepping Up

A lot of uncertainty, lots of medical supply shortages and a lot of folks who cannot care for themselves.

Thanks to all .. Companies and individuals who do. An incredibly short list, because there are so many out there:

• People Magazine: “Delta Offers Free Flights for Medical Professionals to ‘Critical Areas’ Impacted by Coronavirus“. Note these are to emerging hotspots Georgia, Louisiana and Michigan, and the list will likely change. Please see the article for the email addresses.
• People also advises “Hertz Is Offering Free Rental Cars to New York City Healthcare Workers” until April 30.
• U-Haul: “College Students: U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Self-Storage amid Coronavirus Outbreak“.
• Shop and Stop:”Important Information For Our Customers Regarding Coronavirus and Updates on Store Hours & For Online Customers“, including opening stores earlier and providing a separate entrance for at-risk populations. Other stores have done this as well; check your local area.
• Lots of companies are making hand sanitizer, including Louis Vuitton, L’Oreal, AirCo, Endless West (molecular whiskey), and a ton of distilleries.
• Other companies are focusing on ventilators, including SpaceX and Tesla, Dyson, Meditronic (doubling their capacity) and more.
• Apple, Facebook and SalesForce donated millions of masks to healthcare workers and, with other tech firms, are sourcing more.
• Burger King will provide two kid’s meals at no charge with a purchase from the Burger King mobile app. The link to the offer is on the home page and you must sign in to redeem. Pick-up only.
• Online telemedicine providers enable patients to get face-to-face support. Many are provided at no charge for clinicians and patients. Contact your doctor or local hospital (by phone, please) for references. I’ll look more closely at this list in a few days.
• Lots of folks delivering groceries to their homebound neighbors .. far too many to list here.
• Neighbors helping neighbors .. time to plant tomato plants .. far too many to list here.
• Oh .. CNN had a short story on “Victory Gardens” (link to the WWII war effort). The story cited community gardens springing up, as concern for trips to the grocery stores and supply chain risks may be growing. I cannot find that story at the moment, will update when I do.

Don’t forget the kids:

• Good Housekeeping: “10 Fun Virtual Birthday Party Ideas You Can Do While Social Distancing“.
• Parade posts “Avoid Cabin Fever With These 125 Ideas to Keep Kids Entertained During the Coronavirus Crisis“.
• CNN posts: “Keep kids entertained and educated with these 20 activities (some assembly required)”.
• evite says “Life’s Better Together,® Even When Apart”, including an ongoing kit of virtual solutions get-togethers.
• There are a number of paid services out there for kids.

Not the least: our brave healthcare workers .. present, retired and volunteer, who are putting themselves and their families at risk by helping the rest of us.

Stay home for this lot so they can stay at work for us.

Be safe.