Photo by Cindy Cui
We have seen many drastic changes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, including the closure of several Ontario universities, the introduction of travel bans and a decline in group gatherings. This has forced many people to quickly adapt — for example, students are learning online, grocery stores have limited the number of toilet paper rolls you can buy and people are being restricted to their homes. Physical distancing, which involves minimizing contact with others, has affected societal norms to the point where we have changed the way that we are communicating. However, despite being physically distant, communities seem to be more tight-knit than ever. This has made me wonder — why can’t things always be this way?
I’ve seen a surge of Instagram stories and posts pop up on social media that are very different from the norm. Usually, I see carefully curated Instagram profiles, posts of places people are vacationing and aesthetic coffee dates. However, because most people are self-quarantining, we are unable to make those posts anymore. Instead, I’ve seen more intimate posts, ranging from self-love selfie challenges to posts appreciating others and even to open posts offering FaceTime chats to anyone who may feel isolated during this time.
During this particularly isolating time, I’ve seen many more people reaching out to their loved ones. In fact, one of my friends has scheduled video calls with her family just so they can update each other on their lives. Despite the fact that we can no longer see each other in-person, I’ve had more friends reach out and talk to me because they want to check up on me or just get to know me better as a person. We’ve become increasingly connected despite the distance, and hopefully this is something we can continue to do when we’re no longer quarantined in our homes.
These individual actions and growing trends may seem insignificant during an ongoing pandemic, but many individuals taking these small actions in their lives can have a large impact on our community. One silver lining of COVID-19 is that this pandemic has truly brought the community together to care for those who need it most. For example, the McMaster Healthcare Students COVID-19 Response Team, an initiative created by McMaster University medical student Mary Boulos, is helping healthcare workers on the front line with errands they are currently unable to manage themselves. Student volunteers are helping healthcare workers with things such as child care, pet-sitting and groceries, among other things. Because of this initiative, healthcare workers such as nurses, doctors and hospital staff can focus on providing care to COVID-19 patients and not have to worry about taking care of their family and potentially infecting them.
Initiatives like these are not something people would usually dream of in a normal setting. When else would someone babysit your child for free because you’re swamped at work? If you need someone to take care of your child, the median cost for child care centres in Ontario is $1152 per month for an infant and $835 per month for a preschooler. Another option would be to hire a babysitter if you need someone for an on-and-off basis. However, because students have gained a lot more time on our hands due to in-person classes and extracurricular events being cancelled, they are able to provide free support for others.
Helping out our community comes in many forms. You can see it through in-person interactions such as the ones I’ve just mentioned, but you can also see it in other forms. For example, the McMaster University Campus Store is now providing free access to course materials until April 30. The Hamilton Street Railway is also asking people to board busses from the rear doors to protect their drivers and providing free transit until at least April 5. The Canadian government is also providing the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which provides workers with a taxable benefit of $2000 per month for up to four months if their income has been impacted by COVID-19.
All these initiatives are in light of the current struggles that many people are facing due to the pandemic. I’ve seen so many people be more considerate, kind and forgiving because we’re all going through a very difficult time. But it also makes me wonder why we couldn’t have these safety nets and forms of support in the first place. This pandemic was a harsh lesson of how to be compassionate and kind to others when we all have to adapt to harsh circumstances.
So far, we know that we are capable of reaching out to others to provide support during a very scary and isolating time that everyone is facing in different ways. We know we can show compassion to others on an individual level by checking in on loved ones or even forming new friendships. We also know that the university is able to provide free access to textbooks, that free transit has been provided in the worst circumstances and that the government can support those in need of a livable income.
Maybe we didn’t realize we could accomplish these things in the first place and provide that safety net for people who need it most. But moving forward, we should remember that during a pandemic, we were capable of supporting each other. And that after all of this is over, we can and should do better when caring for our communities.
Scrolling through the news and social media right now is an endless trek through updates that are hard to stomach. It’s easy to feel like everything is terrible and there’s nothing you can do to fix the world, especially when you’re stuck indoors trying to practice social distancing.
Here are the top three ways that people in the community and the world are stepping up to manage social-distancing, in their own way. No matter how hopeless things may seem, there’s always going to be someone out there willing to help you. And remember, the best way that you can help others right now is by practicing social distancing to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Sharing Care
Many restaurants are closing their doors. In response, some have decided to donate the perishable food that they have to food banks. Food banks need donations now more than ever, especially with many people stocking up on food and depleting grocery store reserves. With people being laid off from work, there is a greater need for food banks, and restaurants donating food is a great first step to meeting that need. If you wish to support some of these local restaurants, many of them are still offering takeout via contactless delivery. You can also purchase gift cards from them to use after the pandemic is over. This is a great way to support a local business and do your part to help stimulate the economy.
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Local coffee shop Salty Espresso has also started an initiative called Totes Together to support the local hospitality industry. When you order a tote bag, you can choose from a list of restaurants, cafés and other small businesses that have lost business or had to close their doors. The proceeds from your tote bag will then go to support that business. If you can afford to, this is another way to shop local and support your community.
Mongering means stirring up or spreading something like a rumour or an emotion. Generally, it’s meant to be negative, as in the case of scaremongering or hate mongering; however, there are a number of groups popping up on social media that aim to do the opposite. CareMongering-HamOnt Hamilton Community Response to COVID19 is just one of a number of groups across the GTA and beyond that are actively working to create community networks of care to help those who need support during this difficult time. The group is targeted to assist those who are most vulnerable. If you are able to, you are more than welcome to volunteer with them, whether that be delivering groceries, providing excess food, or something else.
Sharing Words
Authors have taken to YouTube and Twitter to share readings of their books. Canadian fantasy author Guy Gavriel Kay has been reading segments from his books, pseudo-historical fantasy that is inspired by places such as Renaissance Italy and eras such as the Byzantium Empire. Canadian children’s author Kenneth Oppel has been doing daily readings as well.
If you’re more interested in physical books, Locke Street store Epic Books has been doing porch deliveries of books in order to minimize exposure and support social distancing.
Both elementary and high schools are on track to remain closed. As a result, many parents are juggling work with keeping their children entertained and educated. Many teachers and other folks in the community have stepped up to the plate, like local creator Amber Wood, who has been holding daily virtual songs and story time sessions. Even Audible has provided a service called Audible Stories that young students can access for free.
Why not start a book club via Skype or Zoom with some friends to talk about the amazing books you just read or listened to!
Sharing Skills
Social distancing can feel isolating and at times and just plain boring. Fortunately, many creators are making free instructional content to help you get through the lows. Illustrator Mo Willems is running a series called Lunch Doodles where he invites viewers to draw, doodle and write along with him.
We’re all in the middle of final essays and exams, if those are even a thing anymore, but on the off chance you’re interested in learning something else there are free online courses you can try. Take a break from studying for exams and learn about the Pyramids of Giza.
While it’s still a work in progress, many groups are trying to move their content online so that people can still access it during this time. It is hard to see the light at a time like this, but seeing people lift each other up might help to lift your own spirits. If you have the time and ability to do so, the wealth of online content is well worth investigating. Or, if you’re able to, consider donating spare food to a food bank. Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
Remember, one of the best ways to help out is to practice social distancing in order to slow the spread of the virus and to keep others in the community safe. Everyone has to do their part — there is no action that is too small — so we can fight COVID-19.
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Let us preface this guide by telling you that if this period of uncertainty is stressing you the f*&k out, it's okay. There's quite a bit on our minds — reorganization of courses, fears over graduation, lost jobs and co-ops, forced move-outs and the sudden disruption of pretty much everything.
In more ways than one, this time is defining our present and future, and soon it will be just a single moment in our collectives histories. The details of the stories and lessons we will learn are blurry, but there's no doubt that this time presents an opportunity for our communities to re-emerge breathing a new rhythm. So slow down, discover a new pace for yourself and appreciate reflective silences. Lean into companionships with your loved ones, neighbours and strangers — especially our community members who are being disproportionately impacted right now. Nothing about this is normal, and it's okay to feel a little lost.
The Silhouette staff made this guide with McMaster undergraduate students in mind, we hope you'll find it helpful. This guide will be updated as we learn to navigate this period of change together.
