COVID-19 Care Packages
This year has been a huge time of uncertainty. Uncertainty, for me at least, is one of my least favorite things. I prefer to have a plan, to know how I’m moving forward with things, and this year has completely wrecked anything that I had planned and the same goes for so many people.
For some, they have contracted COVID-19 and are dealing with an uncertainty every single day about what their symptoms will be, will they be one of the ones who get worse, will they wind up in the hospital, etc. Others are desperately following all the rules, not traveling, not seeing family and friends, having groceries delivered, and wearing masks every second they leave the house. And sadly, for some, that’s simply not enough because mask-wearing isn’t a universal thing. And sadly, no matter how hard people try not to get COVID, you may wind up caring for someone with it or see it affecting a close friend. Luckily, if that’s the case, there are ways you can make things a little better for those who are suffering from it.
A COVID care package can be just the thing for those who are suffering from this illness. Unfortunately, a family friend contracted it about two weeks ago, and one of the first things that we did for her was put together a little care package. We actually wound up sending two. The first, included a coloring book for stress relief and entertainment, along with wine, this was in the incubation period after she knew she had been exposed and was simply waiting to see if she’d experience symptoms and catch it.
The second one consisted of home made chicken noodle soup, jello, and some things to paint like a jack-o-lantern head because let’s face it, you’ll need all the entertainment when you’re stuck in your room for 10–14 days. That’s right, y’all complain about having the whole house to yourself, but if you live with someone else, you have to stay in a specific room and have meals delivered, etc. I can’t imagine it is very fun for anyone involved in that household, which is why it’s so important to check in on those who have it.
If you can, put together a little care package for them. You can never go wrong with homemade soup, it’s soothing, it’s what people want when they’re sick, and it’s easy to digest, which is great. Some other options include entertainment options, paint by numbers, coloring books, new books to read, and for those who are into self care, send over some face masks, some bath bombs, a new nail polish, etc. Any of those things can help pass the time and help them to feel better as they fight corona.
If finances are tight, which I get it, even ingredients for soup can get expensive when you’re living on a pandemic budget, then reach out daily. Talk to them, help them pass the time, see how they’re doing, let them know that they have a support system cheering them on, even if you can’t do so in person. One of the things we learned while going through cancer treatments was how important it is to healing to have a system of people supporting you through it, even if they can’t physically be there. Be that system, make time to Facetime, make time to chat, ask how they’re feeling through text a couple times a day. This disease is physically and mentally debilitating and made worse by having to completely isolate from others. Help those you know out in any way that you can. I have no doubt they’ll appreciate all the thought you put into it.