Indians are using social media to volunteer to help parents of people who live abroad as senior citizens are at higher risk of severe illness if they contract coronavirus.
Many have taken to their online accounts to offer help in the form of providing groceries, medicines and running errands for older people in the country.
Twitter user Karuna John, @karunajohn, shared a picture of herself with a face mask on and wrote: “Sent to my building groups: For any senior citizen here who needs eggs, fruits, veg, milk or bread from local mother dairy I’m happy to get for you. Please stay indoors and don’t worry about these small daily jobs. Hope they listen #lockdown #delhi”
Other tweeps appreciated her efforts. User @Abhinandan1234 tweeted in response: “Thank you. Very kind and noble gesture from you.”
To which John replied: “It’s the least I can do. Have legs, will walk. Have hands, will carry. Have brain, will use.”
Youngistaan Foundation, @YoungistaanFDN, that describes itself as a “voluntary NGO that engages young people to make interventions in the areas of homelessness, hunger, education, gender & animal awareness” on its Twitter bio, posted: “If any senior citizen (60 years above) is looking for help to buy either groceries, medicines etc, please reach out to us for help in #Hyderabad. If anyone is willing to #volunteer for the same do let us know.”
A number of Facebook users, like Anjz Puri, also posted this message: “To all friends living abroad/far away from their parents. If you have elderly parents in South Delhi, who are alone & need any kind of assistance, please reach out. Will call them & try to send them basic supplements/medicines if needed. I request people to come forward from different states and offer helping hand at this tough time. #FightCOVID19 #Smallinitiative #Onenation #Indiafightsback #helpinghands Time to stand together.”
An initiative started by Mahita Nagaraj, a resident of Bengaluru city, has received a considerable amount of attention.
On March 16, she took to her Facebook page and wrote: “Hello folks, If anyone elder that you know is in self-isolation, and is lacking essential supplies or medicine, please feel free to get in touch with me. Am happy to help buy and bring over whatever they need. Traffic in Bangalore is minimum now, so don't worry about distance. I know a lot of stores have empty shelves now, and a lot of online stores aren't delivering. So friends out of Bangalore who are worried about their parents/grandparents - please feel free to pass on my number. Much love to everyone - stay safe and stay calm.”
In a consecutive post, Nagaraj wrote: “Wow, my last post really set something off - a big thank you to everyone that messaged and called, and everyone that offered to help.”
She also announced starting a Facebook page called ‘Caremongers India’ which apparently helps in gathering volunteers to help senior citizens.
Higher risk
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), people over 60 years of age are at the highest risk of death due to coronavirus.
The World Economic Forum explained why older people are susceptible to severe symptoms due to COVID-19: “Older people don't have as strong an immune system so they are more vulnerable to infectious disease. They’re also more likely to have conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or kidney disease, which weaken their body’s ability to fight infectious disease.”
