Becoming socially responsible amid social distancing

As the world got used to a new norm called social distancing, people from all walks of life spontaneously came together to make a new ‘social’ possible – social solidarity. Even while confined in their homes, several individuals were mobilized to selflessly provide help where it’s needed.

If there is one good thing that has come out of this health crisis, it is finding ourselves willing to share a part of ourselves with others who are in need. Scroll below to see some causes we have chosen to support to help our fellow countrymen:

Provision of PPEs

One of the first challenges that became evident as the country was caught in the grip of the pandemic was the shortage of personal protective equipment or PPEs for our health workers. This was especially true in government and provincial hospitals. Even before other countries sent aid in the form of PPEs, various individuals and groups already took the initiative to raise funds and procure these valuable commodities and distribute them where they are in great demand. Numerous online fund-raising drives and activities served as the mechanism to encourage all who are able to take part in this cause.

Food for frontliners

The pandemic gave birth to a new breed of heroes – those who aren’t in capes but in PPEs. These are the frontliners: healthcare workers who brave each day to treat and care for the sick. As they stayed at work for us, those of us who stayed home ensured that they are nourished daily with meals delivered right at the health facilities they work in. Efforts like this were made possible not only by big non-profit organizations, but also those with big-enough hearts to prepare home-cooked meals for our modern-day heroes. 

Quarantine quarters

As the number of cases multiplied by the day, some hospitals were overwhelmed with the number of patients they had to admit. This dilemma was met by noble initiatives to turn sports stadiums into quarantine facilities. Some religious groups and schools also turned portions of their establishments into these temporary holding units. This move has greatly kept our hospitals from being further inundated with patients beyond their capacity.

Mass testing 

The private sector has been a great driving force in the area of mass testing. One example of such a brand  is Lysol.  On May 29th, 2020 Lysol Philippines has begun its partnership  with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in a joint mission to ensure that everybody is protected from illnesses. The trusted and leading disinfectant brand in the Philippines believes in breaking the chain of infection and is contributing to this mission by donating P36 million to boost mass testing in support of government efforts.

Half of their donation will be used to build a mass testing facility in Cagayan de Oro City, while the other half will be used to shoulder mass testing fees of around 4,500 Filipinos from the most vulnerable groups in the country. These include the elderly, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions, especially in poor communities. 

As a reinforcement to their “Disinfect to Protect” mission, Lysol Philippines will also turn over P5 million worth of products to disinfect PRC sample collection areas and testing laboratories.

Physically distant but socially connected: This is all of us amidst this health crisis. As we bravely face the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, may we practice looking after one another and sharing to enhance each other’s lives as part of our own “new normal.”

To know more about the “Disinfect to Protect” mission, you can watch this video below:

You can also visit the Lysol Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/LysolPH or Philippine Red Cross at https://www.facebook.com/phredcross.