Various studies have shown that the elderly are more vulnerable to the coronavirus than the young due to their weak immune systems. Hence, governments of various nations have recommended that they stay indoors and avoid social contact to minimize their risk. And as a community, it is our duty to protect this susceptible group.
Becky Hoeffler from North Carolina is testament to the fact that a little kindness towards the elderly can go a long way.
Becky works at Duke University, where all employees have been asked to work from home to avoid the spread of this virus. And with more time in hand, Becky is doing some great community service.
She has volunteered to pick groceries for her elderly neighbors in her lunch breaks.
“The idea actually came about when I called my grandfather the other day,” Hoeffler told the news station WNCN. “He told me, ‘I’m on my way to the grocery store,’ and I was just kind of concerned because he’s 91 and I thought, ‘Is there a reason you have to go to the grocery store?’”
Inspired by this conversation and very concerned about the risk that her grandfather faced, she resolved to help the elderly in her community by doing their groceries.
“That’s what made me think, maybe I can go grocery shopping for others since I do live in a community that has several senior citizen neighbors,” she said.
Until now, Becky has helped only a few of her neighbors but to make sure she can reach out to others, she put up a flyer with her telephone number on it, letting the elderly know that she would pick their groceries for them free of cost.
“I think utilizing people power is one of the best ways that we can combat the virus,” Becky says. And we couldn’t agree more.
Isn’t this little gesture from Becky awe-inspiring?
To all our readers, please do help the most vulnerable groups and keep them safe from the virus. We are sure with more love, compasion, and empathy for others, we will come out of this crisis stronger than ever!
Stay safe!
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