During times of turmoil and unrest in our community, many people may be searching for ways to assist those who are being hit the hardest by COVID-19 shutdowns and new regulations.

It may be hard to adhere to social distancing and ensuring that you are not coming in contact with people while still giving back to the community and volunteering your time to those who need it most. 

Social distancing is a new term for many people. Based on the newest research, COVID-19 can be spread through “respiratory droplets” from person to person contact. These droplets can come from the mouth or nose through a sneeze or a cough. 

In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, health officials suggest maintaining a six-feet distance from everyone except people who currently live in your household. Health officials also suggest not attending large events and only leaving the house for essential travel, such as going to the grocery store or walking a pet. More information about the spread of COVID-19 can be found on the CDC’s website or The Mav.

Those with compromised immune systems are more likely to face the worst symptoms of COVID-19 such as respiratory issues and trouble breathing. Many people with underlying conditions such as asthma and diabetes live in fear of leaving their homes, worrying they may contract it. For more information about immunocompromised individuals, visit The Mav.

One way to help these people during this time is to reach out to individuals you know, or post on social media to see what your community needs. You can drop groceries or products on their front porch to maintain social distancing. You can help to alleviate some of the stress they may be feeling during this unsure time in our community.

Another great way to help the community is to donate blood. Hospitals are currently experiencing shortages in blood as many people fear contracting the coronavirus while in the facility. Many hospitals have taken the extra steps necessary to ensure extra-sanitary procedures.

You can donate blood at 16 years of age in Colorado with a legal guardian’s consent. With the shortage occurring, blood donations are needed more than ever and could save a person’s life when the time comes; consider going to a local blood bank and making a donation today.

One of the easiest ways to ensure the slow spread of coronavirus is to only leave your house for necessary travel. If you are going places just for your own entertainment and not for necessity, you risk being a carrier of the virus and spreading it to more vulnerable people in the community such as those with compromised immune systems. Think about those you could possibly hurt when leaving your home for unnecessary travel.

Although this time for many people around the world is scary and unknown, an every-man-for-himself mentality when doing things such as grocery shopping will get us nowhere. Small humanitarian acts from everyone will be the thing that makes the most difference in the end.

Twenty years from now we won’t look back at the people panic-buying toilet paper from the store, but instead, the people who did the small things that in the end really counted.