What random acts of kindness have you seen displayed amid the coronavirus pandemic?

Smodlet

HornetSaver said:

MSE_Molly thanks for starting this thread, I really, really needed to see some examples of people doing good things today.

I'm one of the very lucky ones - I work in a key industry (private sector) and my role, despite being relatively front-line, is conducive to working from home. I take shielding myself very seriously because if I'm ill there's fewer of my team who would be well to take up the slack, and people are depending on us to perform to our best. But it sort of makes me feel guilty because by taking this attitude, providing help outside of my home is not really an option. And a lot of what I hear from the outside world is the negative side of it, such is the nature of media and social media.

I'm doing what I can to communicate on the Coronavirus forums (it's the one thing that I feel that I can do), but reading through people's concerns is emotionally draining at times because often the answer is either not known or not good. That said, seeing half a million people volunteer to support the NHS in just a couple of days, seeing stories like the ones here, it gives me a bit more strength to say to myself "right, other people are doing what they can out there; I need to continue to learn as much about what support is out there as possible, and to support in any way I can when people are seeking that knowledge."

Struggling to figure out what your job is, HornetSaver, but thank you for whatever it is you are doing to keep the country going.

Siebrie

Can I mention some companies that are being kind? (I'm in Belgium) Our electricity provider has just announced that this month they will charge all electricity on the cheapest tariff no matter what tariff you normally pay, and our phone/internet company has announced free national calls and free extra GBs this month.

gloriouslyhappy

Silver_Shark said:

I received a cancer diagnosis last week. The doctor and nurses were wonderful, literally holding my hand. I can't praise the NHS staff highly enough. Not a random act of kindness I know, they are selfless and so compassionate, makes me cry just thinking about their total dedication.

Oh Silver_Shark! What worrying news. Sending you a virtual hand-hold and a huge hug.. may your treatment go well..

gloriouslyhappy

I had some books ready for the charity shop so I wiped the covers down with mild bleach solution and put them outside with a note saying help yourself. All but one were gone this morning, and a kitkat had been left with 'thank you' written on the back of an old receipt! This beastly virus is bringing out the best and worst in people.

Misslayed

A local seafood restaurant has reopened as a 'corner shop', selling (and delivering) food and household stuff from his usual suppliers.

HornetSaver

Smodlet said:

HornetSaver said:

MSE_Molly thanks for starting this thread, I really, really needed to see some examples of people doing good things today.

I'm one of the very lucky ones - I work in a key industry (private sector) and my role, despite being relatively front-line, is conducive to working from home. I take shielding myself very seriously because if I'm ill there's fewer of my team who would be well to take up the slack, and people are depending on us to perform to our best. But it sort of makes me feel guilty because by taking this attitude, providing help outside of my home is not really an option. And a lot of what I hear from the outside world is the negative side of it, such is the nature of media and social media.

I'm doing what I can to communicate on the Coronavirus forums (it's the one thing that I feel that I can do), but reading through people's concerns is emotionally draining at times because often the answer is either not known or not good. That said, seeing half a million people volunteer to support the NHS in just a couple of days, seeing stories like the ones here, it gives me a bit more strength to say to myself "right, other people are doing what they can out there; I need to continue to learn as much about what support is out there as possible, and to support in any way I can when people are seeking that knowledge."

Struggling to figure out what your job is, HornetSaver, but thank you for whatever it is you are doing to keep the country going.

My job is transport-related. For me personally, the only difference between today and a random day two months ago (apart from working in my home office rather than my company's), is that doing a good job happens to matter more. But, just doing my normal job, and frankly being better off due to no commuting time or fuel costs, it doesn't feel like I'm doing my bit.

Misslayed said:

A local seafood restaurant has reopened as a 'corner shop', selling (and delivering) food and household stuff from his usual suppliers.

And that's exactly the sort of thing I'm talking about when I say "people should do what they can". Yes, there's profit motive there, but firstly businesses staying afloat is crucial for the post-virus part of this disaster, and secondly, the more outlets we have for distributing the basics, the easier it is to maintain social distancing.

ALIBOBSY

I actually think alot of these smaller local shops are really showing up some of the bigger stores (looking at you Sports direct lol). Our local farm shops-not the posh yuppy style shops but real, been there for decades on the farm shops are brilliant. The one that does fruit and veg, cheese, bread etc etc are now taking phone/email orders to either pick up via a one at a time door system or for those that are vunerable or self isolating free delivery. The meat shop are still open but limiting numbers in the shop and doing their best do do deliveries where they can, they have even said all staff are taking temps in the morning before they enter the shop.

On another positive note my 3 daughters have seemingly gotten closer than they even have before, they sit down and do their school/college set work in the morning and once done later on have been spending so much time together, online gaming with chat on for friends/boyfriend all as a group, in the garden together, movie time, baking, cooking and last night teenager dragged all her bedding into the younger girls room so they could all have a "sleep over". They are 16, 12 and 9 and I am so proud of them all, so much laughter in the house is wonderful in these dark times, mind you there has been some arguments as well lol.

OH's self employed work has obviously dropped through the floor, but he had been doing part time deliveries for a pharmacy for some extra over the quieter months in Winter so this is keeping us going and in fact he is doing extra hours, he is so touched by how lovely people are and how they keep thanking him for still working. They are using masks, gloves and hand gel and doing social distancing for the deliveries so its making the job more challenging but he just keeps telling customers its fine he is just doing his job. 

Seen alot of shouting across roads or over fields when dog walking to say hello and a general positive we will get through this kind of feeling here. Not sure if that is because we are a small semi rural town in Lancashire or a general national thing.

Be well
Ali x

badger09

We live on the very edge of a small market town in Shropshire. I joined the vulnerable over 70 group last month on celebratory holiday of a lifetime in Australia & New Zealand  & returned home 11th March, so we've been self isolating since then until today.

Random act of kindness 1: Someone called to collect mis-delivered mail (2 houses, same name, don't ask!). Only met her once before but she offered to shop for us. Also followed up a week later with a text checking we were ok

RAoK 2: Brand new neighbours who moved in while we were away came to introduce himself. Also offered to shop or collect prescriptions etc

RAoK 3: Today, walking home after venturing out for essential fresh foods, was offered huge bag of compost by stranger who had over ordered.

I've been doing my bit by phoning or video calling friends who live on their own but these have all lifted my mood

Murphybear

AlexMac said:

Oh and as a postscript; when I circulated his genral offer of support on our street email group, together with a couple of other  credits to neighbours who'd put their own offers out on the Street Facebook page, another half-dozen residents came pitching in saying that they too would happily do shopping, collect prescriptions, etc...

There have been reports of many such groups around the country.  I live in a housing complex for 34 over 60s and after speaking to our local group they have assigned 2 people to help us out if necessary.  With the supermarkets policy of limiting the number of people they have in the store at any one time the waiting time can be long (we waited half an hour this this morning and it was bitterly cold) and some of our disabled people can’t manage that.  

Boots have a similar policy.  They are only open for prescriptions and a few items they deem “genuine medical need” and our Boots  is allowing a maximum of 2 people in the shop at any one time.  I queued up to get prescriptions for 4 people and can’t praise the staff highly enough, they were cheerful and friendly.  Some of my OHs meds were out of stock and the pharmacist dropped them in for him personally the following day which was wonderful as they can’t deliver to anyone new as they don’t have enough drivers.  Gold star to her 

Murphybear

Savvy_Sue said:

I think it's worth saying that it's not JUST the elderly and vulnerable who have that problem with delivery charges, and that's going to be an increasing problem. 

However, there are schemes springing up all over the country which could probably help you, schiff, if you'd let them. For example, I know many local churches who will find someone to collect prescriptions and shopping and deliver to the doorstep, and take post to be posted etc. And in case it needs stressing, they won't care that they don't know you. 

If you're on facebook (and I realise not everyone is) then there may be a local group offering such things. Or just google your area plus Covid-19 help and see what comes up. 

I've had a card through my door offering help with anything I need - including friendly phone calls if the lack of human conversation is an issue! - and again our church has made these cards available to those of us who can offer help. 

And this is an act of random kindness: the local CofE had already received their delivery of small potted plants to give out on Mothering Sunday before all services were cancelled. The vicar took them up to the school gate on Friday afternoon and - from a safe distance - invited the children to take one for their mum. There were two posters, one saying the service was cancelled and the other outlining what help they could offer. 

Just after Mothering Sunday some of the supermarkets had bunches of flowers left over as so many folk couldn’t visit their mothers in person.  They were giving them away to anyone who looked over a certain age.  Not your average bunch of daffodils for £1, I got a huge fabulous bunch of roses and lilies that cost £25.  I was gobsmacked!  I got 4 big bunches altogether and put some in our communal lounge and 2 to ladies who had birthdays that week.  

Our local supermarkets have been very helpful to us OAPs.  In Waitrose as the cafe was closed they had set aside loads of essentials in it marked “NHS only” and when I asked they confirmed they did check their NHS ID.

I know a lot of the staff have been working harder than usual so massive thank you to them