Volunteer ourselves out of crises

Subject: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Donuel
Date: 12 Mar 20 - 09:46 AM

Even before the dust settles, the way to bring back 'ciivilization' is to lend a hand feeding the masses helping with transportation or any number of myriad needs that could use help.

Heroism comes in many colors and acts of humanity. If you are not in a risk group consider yourself a possible savior more important than a Minister of Health.

We all have new jobs now.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Mar 20 - 12:05 PM

In our neighborhood there are a lot of retirees - I'm going to be calling nearby neighbors and suggesting we pool our shopping lists and just one person goes and picks up for everyone for the next couple of weeks.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Senoufou
Date: 12 Mar 20 - 02:23 PM

What lovely ideas and attitudes! What we'd call the Dunkirk Spirit.

My much-loved neighbour-next-door called round this afternoon to say that she'd got loads and loads of toilet rolls if we ran out. (Made me smile, as we'd just use water!)

My retired sister has said she'll volunteer to help doctors under pressure in her area of Scotland, as she has high-level skills for assisting with serious breathing problems (eg tracheal intubation, resuscitation, assisted respiration etc, all requiring a qualified practitioner in Anaesthesia).

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Helen
Date: 12 Mar 20 - 04:17 PM

Some people in Australia who panic-bought excessive amounts of toilet paper have been advised by the major supermarkets that they cannot get a refund. That'll show 'em, I guess.

The alternatives could be for the supermarkets to buy the unopened packages back and sell them to the people who missed out, or people could set up market stalls, or they could sell them at exorbitant prices (or ex-Sorbent prices?) on the black market or the dark web. My Hubby has been telling people he saw an online comment: toilet paper for sale, slightly used, and an extremely high price.

Or they could share them with their family, friends, local charities etc.

An alternative for one person going to the supermarket for a group of neighbours could be shopping online and getting the items delivered. I have never shopped for supermarket items online. I am not sure if there is a mark-up in price for having someone else browse the shelves on your behalf.

I'm not sure how I could volunteer but there will be something that I can do. I have had done a lot of different types of work in my career.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: mg
Date: 12 Mar 20 - 05:19 PM

i am probably going to volunteer at the local school. if i was still in seattle i would go back to volunteering at children's hospital although they are probably on near lockdown.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: gillymor
Date: 12 Mar 20 - 05:36 PM

Funny you should mention it, I filled out a volunteer application this morning with my local health care system where I get most of my ailments tended to in case then need me.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Mar 20 - 06:05 PM

I have informed the place where I volunteer 2x a week that I'll be extending my absence beyond the recovery from knee surgery - in 2 weeks I'll assess if I need to stay away longer. It's a public facility and they haven't restricted anything except one program and they're cleaning more. Lots of school children pass through that place (it's spring break right now - I'll be interested to see if it is extended into next week). There are many instances when one organization finally jumps that everyone else quickly makes the same move. (NBA, for example, and now NHL).

Everyone has things at home they've wanted to do. Now is the time to discover that creative side and make good use of the time.

Shopping from home is one possibility, but because there are so many elderly retirees here the prospect of putting their groceries on the porch, knocking, then standing back and catching up for a few minutes strikes me as a social benefit. And making sure they are still really okay. A stranger delivering might not recognize that someone has undergone a change from one week to the next.

I was playing with the phone this afternoon, catching screen shots of an advertising video for a handbag that converts to a backpack. I have a bunch of denim I've been planning to turn into craft projects, and that would be an attractive item. I'd have to tweak it to my specifications, and the next two weeks are available for time to design and sew. Any findings I don't already have here I can order online. I hope all of the postal carriers stay healthy out in the fresh air.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Mar 20 - 06:49 PM

I like Senoufou's reference to the Dunkirk Spirit. In our divided world, maybe a health crisis like this can unite us and make us forget the petty differences that divide us.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: mg
Date: 12 Mar 20 - 07:04 PM

wash hands after receiving mail. ask your post office what they are doing.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Mr Red
Date: 13 Mar 20 - 12:29 PM

maybe a health crisis like this can unite us and make us forget the petty differences that divide us.

Ironically, not bring us together, in the immediate! Please. Well wash your hands first.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 14 Mar 20 - 09:27 PM

Not sure about volunteering to go back to work at 74 (as an ex-GP), thus putting myself in the firing line, being in the at risk group for being "culled" (as some kind young Daily Telegraph reporter put it!) I have grandchildren who depend on our help for after school and weekends when Mum and Dad are working, and we may well get asked to do more if the schools in our area shut down.
Full of admiration for a friend who is a retired Fire Officer, who has gone out to help in Australia: as far as I can gather, he is not still putting out fires, but helping people to rebuild their properties and lives.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Mar 20 - 09:43 PM

Don't be too surprised if many politicians
do secretly view this pandemic as an opportunity to cull
the 'financial burden on society'
of the weak and the old...

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Mar 20 - 09:45 PM

Now for the positive reason I'm in this thread...

Just a reminder, older folks placed in compulsory long term self isolation for who knows how long,
will have dogs that need walking...

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Mar 20 - 10:01 PM

With both us being, as Tattie Bogle put it, in the 'at risk group for being culled' we are sitting back and laughing at the stupidity of some folk. Hoarding toilet paper is all well and good, but you can't eat it. Hoarding dried/tinned food staples, on the other hand, makes far more sense.

We shop weekly on Monday afternoons, after my ukulele session. When we hit the shops tomorrow I do not hold out any hope of finding a few things on my list such as paper napkins (we can use cloth if necessary, I have what some folk might consider to be an obscene amount of fabric in my stash) and macaroni (because there isn't enough left to make another batch of macaroni cheese). We have been sensible and not 'panic bought' - something fueled by media doomsday stories about panic buying and the accompanying picture of empty shelves.

On the other hand, it has its lighter side. One now has a wonderful excuse if there is a function one does not wish to attend, or if there is a person one wishes to distance oneself from.

"Oh no, I'm self-isolating".......

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Mr Red
Date: 15 Mar 20 - 06:37 AM

I do not hold out any hope of finding a few things
IME you may find the more expensive brands, but not much of the cheaper ones.

As for volunteering, I have offered an older couple shopping services, and post some CBD chocolate through their door, every so often. But not heard from them. Their lights go on and off so they must be coping. There is a threshold about being intrusive, standing back a bit is the default.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 15 Mar 20 - 10:03 AM

In our area, and I'm sure this is nationwide, most charities rely on over 70s. If we are shut in our homes, charity shops, transport to doctors, local drop-in, lots of babysitting and other childcare, NT room guides, talking newspaper, Samaritans even, politicians, the people who knock on doors and stuff or deliver your leaflets, will all be unavailable. Not all will have Internet access to online shopping, in any case drivers and packers may also get ill...
Now I've cheered everyone up I'll go back behind my wall of toilet rolls.
RtS (76 and a quarter)

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Senoufou
Date: 15 Mar 20 - 11:05 AM

According to my sister, there aren't going to be nearly enough ventilators. China has kindly offered to send us a load, once they no longer need quite so many. Germany too have lots of them, but are reluctant to share.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 15 Mar 20 - 11:14 AM

Stephen Fry suggested on Twitter that we should all pool together and be nice to one another, then after it's all finished we can return to being even more beastly than before!!

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 15 Mar 20 - 11:18 AM

PS WE've just tried to book our usual grocery delivery to find out there are no slots for three weeks. We can "click and collect" so we won't be isolating!
RtS

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Mar 20 - 11:49 AM

Senoufou, that is why it is so important to "flatten the curve." And China has been tremendously generous in lending equipment, masks, and gloves. The richest man in China, Jack Ma (who owns Alibaba), has donated coronavirus test kits and masks to the US. He also sent supplies to Europe.

I suggested in the Coronavirus Cancellations thread that people are learning how to continue classes via various phone apps and web cams - any Mudcatters who are friends on Facebook can use the Messenger app and talk to each other around the world for free. Use the phone symbol to simply talk, or use the camera icon to open up a video chat. Keep in mind the time difference, but this would be a great way to maintain that social distance and be able to put a face and voice to names you've been reading here for years. (This harks back to the late great katlaughing, who used to regularly call Mudcatters to catch up - and I miss that generosity so much!)

So, if you're my friend on Facebook, and you can connect via Messenger, I suggest sending a text first to establish a good time between our locations, and I'd love to chat with any of you. This is my Mudcat "volunteer" effort - to teach others to use the features of the device at your fingertips. :)

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: EBarnacle
Date: 15 Mar 20 - 08:00 PM

Lady Hillary and I are both part of our county CERT [Community Emergency Response Team]..We have been requested to make ourselves available for "outside the door" and other non-exposure deliveries and situations. We have not yet been activated.
In addition, almost all of the meetings we are involved with have gone virtual, including CERT and our local service groups as well as our Visiting Nurses Association Rummage Sale.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Helen
Date: 15 Mar 20 - 10:00 PM

SRS, another craft project could be a pyramid shaped book or tablet pillow, filled with small bean bag beans or something waterproof which holds the shape so that the book or tablet can be adjusted to just the right angle. If you need to see what they look like, do a Google search for "book pillow pyramid".

I made one for my Grandma about 30 years ago when she was in a retirement village. After she passed away I thought I would get it back but it had gone walkabout. I hope some of the other residents had some use out of it. It's especially good for someone whose hands are too stiff or sore to hold a book or tablet for a long time.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Mar 20 - 08:46 AM

My digital education ended with 3D graphics and am in need of reeducation so I don't become the only analog man in a digital world.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Mar 20 - 04:28 PM

Are you on Facebook or Twitter, Don?

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Mar 20 - 05:47 PM

Probably but after forgetting the passwords I lost interest before I ever wrote a word.
You can't tell anyone but I am the last nerd standing without smart phone education. I don't even have one. Which one: Apple or Galaxy?

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Mar 20 - 05:58 PM

Android.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Mar 20 - 07:05 AM

Thanks

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 17 Mar 20 - 10:01 AM

Motorola android are currently about the best value for money budget smart phones.

Last year's product variations [Moto G7 - I think ?] will be cheaper

The Android operating system is free from most of the garbage bloatware apps
imposed by Samsung and other big brands,
which can't be uninstalled...

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 20 - 12:21 PM

I never buy the newest version, I always wait and buy the last one and usually save hundreds of dollars. It's still new to me and perfectly up-to-date.

Buying an unbranded phone is the way to avoid the phone company bloatware.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 17 Mar 20 - 02:27 PM

oops.. I meant to type.."The Motorola Moto version of android operating system is free from most of the garbage bloatware apps"...

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Mar 20 - 05:13 AM

Problem is Sony don't include a file manager or text editor on their Androids, yet load loadsa Sony and Goggle related unnecessaries. So bloatware is stuff YOU don't need. I use the large Sony without SIM and load it with pretty smart stuff wot I wrote for Bench Mark Hunting. Yet the small one with a SIM is for making calls and sending texts and taking photos (3X zoom) when I forget my camera (20X zoom).

Smart phones would help the house-bound, but how do you teach the novices at the moment? Given they may be in the older category.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 18 Mar 20 - 09:36 AM

My mum didn't progress to smartphones or tablets..

We gave up after she lost her last couple of unsmart mobile phones and chargers...

..and we couldn't get a refund on her pay as you go SIM...

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 05:45 PM

There are groups of healthy volunteers responding to a web site in several cities now; delivering groceries to those who are particularly vulnerable and staying in.

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 07:56 PM

Our local Nextdoor group has caught the volunteer fervour..

Makes 'em feel good about themselves and each other at the moment,
but how many honour their offers of help remains to be seen..

Nevertheless, can't beat genuine altruism...

Subject: RE: Volunteer ourselves out of crises
From: Donuel
Date: 20 Mar 20 - 08:50 PM

I'll leave voulunteerism to those under 60 until at least the 1st wave has past, that is if I last that long. My goal is to outlast the Donald out of delicious spite.