As Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated, this won’t be easy and many people will find social isolation a challenge.
Community support is important now more than ever, and while we may not be able to shake hands and hug, there are many things we can do to help each other out.
Start a group chat
Virtual connections are vital during this time. Start an online group chat – be it through Whatsapp or Facebook – between your household and your neighbours.
Use it to check in on each other – ask if anyone needs food or supplies, lend some games, or simply talk about how you’re doing.
If you’re going out to the supermarket to get some supplies, let your neighbours know and ask if you can get anything for them.
Share food
As lots of people hunker down at home, many will be busying themselves with cooking, baking or bread-making.
Why not share your extra food with your next door neighbour? Drop it off at their letterbox or doorstep, make sure you’re keeping at least two-metres away.
When making and handling food, also practice safe hygiene, such as washing hands regularly so as to avoid the spread of the virus.
Donate blood
While it might not be for your neighbour, donating blood is a good thing to keep doing to help out the community. Under the new lockdown, travelling to donate blood is considered an essential service.
Thousands of Kiwis still rely on blood and plasma donations every day, and with the outbreak, many supplies will be decreasing.
Call your local donation centre before leaving the house to make sure you understand all the correct health and safety measures.
Put a teddy bear out on your window
You might have noticed teddy bears popping up in people’s windows. The Prime Minister herself said you might be able to spot one in her home.
The ‘We’re Not Scared – NZ Bear Hunt’ initiative is encouraging people to place a teddy bear where it can be seen from the street in a cheerful act of solidarity.
It makes a fun game for kids walking around the neighbourhood to try and spot the bears in people’s windows.
