Exploitative pricing of masks and sanitisers, political blame-games, violent racism towards various segments of society; many people have been choosing negative or destructive practices in this difficult COVID-19 crisis.  Happily, many more are making positive and constructive choices. Worldwide, people are identifying points of suffering within their communities and banding together to support each other through this time of crisis. Here are four compassionate responses to COVID-19 we thought you should know about.

1. Care mongering

A term coined by local Canadian care networks, care mongering is a response in name and spirit to fear mongering. From helping the vulnerable with groceries and taking pets for a walk when their owners cannot, to donating necessities and picking up medicine for others, communities are coming together in a grassroots effort to alleviate the suffering around them. For example, in Cornwall, Becky Wass designed a postcard to help people reach out to and look after neighbours who are self-isolating.

From Europe to Japan to Australia, the list of local mutual aid communities is constantly growing. Not just limited to helping neighbours, some communities are making sure trucks stay on the road to deliver vital supplies to food banks. In Italy, following the closure of soup kitchens, kind samaritans placed food baskets around Naples. This prompted a wave of solidarity as passers-by started placing groceries into these baskets for the homeless.

2. Quarantined residents are singing from their balconies

With videos of Italians singing from their balconies going viral, Italy touched our hearts and showed that they are the epitome of strength and togetherness. Italians recognised the pain they were feeling and fought back with love. The message was clear: we are in this together. As other countries join in on this movement, it is incredible how so much hope emerged from one of the hardest-hit countries.

3. Rounds of applause and free essentials for healthcare workers

Few are more exposed to COVID-19 than our healthcare workers, and few have had to make harder decisions. Yet, they continue to work around the clock and spare no effort to give patients the best care possible. Their tenacity and selflessness have inspired nationwide movements to cheer and applaud healthcare workers at coordinated times of the day. Additionally, organisations such as Feed the Fearless and even restaurants, many of which are struggling now, are donating meals to healthcare workers. To help those who wish to self-isolate from their family, organisations, individuals and companies are providing these healthcare workers free accommodation.

4. Volunteers are making much-needed protective gear

Masks, face shields, gloves and more are in high demand and suppliers are doing their utmost to keep up. Nonetheless, facing a shortage of protective equipment, healthcare workers have had to make their own masks and protective shields out of office supplies. To support the healthcare industry, volunteers around the world have united to produce such necessities. For example, Masks Sewn With Love is a nationwide movement that aims to produce and distribute 50,000 reusable masks to those in need across Singapore. In Malaysia, volunteers are making 500 face shields a day for frontliners while fashion companies and theatres in Budapest are producing masks and gloves. 

How we respond during this pandemic will serve as a measure of our capability to stand together and uplift each other through the hardest of times. Let us make it a testament of mankind’s compassion.