While our front liners and authorities are currently mobilizing to fight the spread of the coronavirus across the country, we are still more than capable of helping their cause even within the confines of our homes.
Health measures we can follow
Although social distancing is one of the more strictly enforced and oft-heard ways to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, there are still other measures we can equip ourselves with against the virus.
Boosting the body’s immune system helps fight viruses and diseases. This can be done by consuming a diet of whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, staying hydrated, exercising daily, getting adequate sleep, and minimizing stress.
Hygienic practices such as frequently washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds (to the tune of a song of your choice) and not touching the eyes, nose, and mouth helps prevents the spread of microbes and viruses.
It’s also important to take preventive measures, most especially for those who occasionally leave the house. If possible, bring a mask when leaving the house, because face masks are now mostly required to enter in different establishments such as groceries and markets. Always remember to disinfect before and after doing errands, such as buying groceries or withdrawing at a bank.
While the increasing flow of information about the coronavirus may be overwhelming and can be anxiety-inducing, putting down social media devices and taking on mental health breaks can help. These could include reading a book, playing a video game, doing a TikTok video – anything that can keep stress at bay.
Being critical with proper information dissemination
Although social media has become a key platform in the latest updates regarding the pandemic, numerous misleading claims have previously made rounds online. In this particular time where anxieties are heightened, prudence and critical thinking have to be exercised before sharing information.
Only trust verified sources on updates regarding the pandemic. These include official updates from the Department of Health, national and local government units, and trusted news agencies.
When in doubt, verify, educate other internet users, and report people or pages deliberately spreading misinformation.
Donation drives for front liners, workers, people in need
Numerous organizations, groups, and people have crowdsourced funds and resources for front liners, health workers, and people who are directly affected because of the quarantine from COVID-19. These are some of the drives of which we can directly help with:
For frontliners and health workers:
Philippine General Hospital
The Philippine General Hospital is currently appealing for donations for personal protective equipment (PPE). These would include surgical masks, gloves, gowns, caps, shoe covers, disinfectants, goggles, and face shields. Details for donations are included in the photo above.
UP National Institutes of Health (UP NIH)
The UP NIH laboratory team will soon begin testing samples from both the Philippine General Hospital and the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine. Because they will be exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, they are in immediate need of PPE. Additional important notes and details for the drop-off point are mentioned in the photos above.
For 100 days, their laboratory needs the following:
- 4000 pairs of nitrile gloves (80 boxes, if there are 50 pairs per box) (20 XS, 25 S, 25 M, 10 L)
- 800 surgical masks
- 800 disposable laboratory gowns
- 800 shoe covers
- 300 pcs. 3M 1860 N95
- 15 gallons of alcohol
- 15 gallons of bleach
Philippine Genome Center
The Philippine Genome Center is currently accepting donations for PPE. They are in urgent need of N95 masks, disposable gowns, face shields, and throat swab kits. Details for how to donate are mentioned in the photo above.
Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines
The Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines aims to provide PPEs to front liners and preventive care kits to the general public. They are currently accepting both in-kind and cash donations. Details of PPEs they need and modes of donation are mentioned in the photo above.
Akbayan Partylist
The Akbayan Partylist is currently sourcing support for raising funds for the PPE of frontline health workers. Additional details for donations are noted in the photo above.
UST Psychology Batch 2015
The BS Psychology Batch of 2015 of the University of Santo Tomas is raising funds for both front liners and other Filipinos affected by the quarantine. Additional details and modes of donations are in the picture above:
Additional inquiries can be coursed to:
Marc Kristoffer Verdan
09276684463
kristoffer.verdan@gmail.com
For other people directly affected by COVID19 and the quarantine:
#MayTwentyAko
#MayTwentyAko is an initiative led by PUP student Charisse Parchamento to raise funding for hygiene kits, grocery items, lunches, and snacks. Over the past week, front liners, informal workers, and the homeless have benefitted from previous remittances.
Donations can be transacted through the following accounts mentioned in the photo above.
Save San Roque
Save San Roque is an alliance that is accepting donations for the primary needs of the community of Sitio San Roque in Quezon City.
Cash donations may also be forwarded in GCash (09292363814), Paypal (paypal.me/jmaratienza), and BPI:
1519-2141-44
BPI Savings Account
Jan Marvi F. Atienza
Caritas Manila
Caritas Manila is calling for donations to provide kits and food bags containing basic necessities for 6,000 poor families in Metro Manila.
For additional inquiries, you may contact their social media handles, 09456877407/09475990160 (for calls only), and 09298343857/09054285001 (for SMS only).
Tara Baraha (@tara.baraha)
Tara Baraha is an Instagram shop reaching out to help those who work on a daily wage basis through 1,000 pesos cash assistance for our local workers. Details for donations, affected workers and businesses are mentioned in the photo above. For additional inquiries, you may contact @tara.bahara on Instagram, or tara.baraha@gmail.com.
Got any additional tips and crowdsourcing for donation drives? Let us know in the comments below, and we can update this list!
