Kind man sets up a group so people can buy groceries and support those working in healthcare

A kind Australian man has started a Facebook group so people can ‘adopt’ a healthcare worker and offer them support during the coronavirus pandemic – whether that be by walking their dog, buying groceries or driving them to work.

Chris Nicholas launched ‘Adopt a Healthcare Worker’ last week and already has more than 17,000 members – healthcare workers and helpers alike – willing to chip in for the greater good of our nation.

‘Let’s support those people who support us,’ he wrote in the ‘about’ section of the page.

‘Currently it looks like our medical system is going to be swamped by COVID-19 patients throughout 2020. For our healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, admin and support staff) this means that they are going to be worked to exhaustion.

Chris Nicholas launched ‘Adopt a Healthcare Worker’ last week and already has more than 17,000 members – healthcare workers and helpers alike – willing to chip in for the greater good

Mr Nicholas described his work as a commitment to look after those who are working around the clock to manage coronavirus patients

The page looks like this on Facebook and is easy to join

How can you help healthcare workers?

* Deliver them pre-packaged meals

* Offer them your childcare services

* Stay away from emergency departments unless you are genuinely sick to reduce the strain on the system

* Get the flu vaccine

* Donate blood to ramp up the supplies

* Shopping for essentials like nappies, wipes, fruit and school lunches

* Moral support and genuine communication

* Offer to do their laundry and ironing of school uniforms for their children

* Offer to do coffee runs for staff

‘I don’t have the knowledge or expertise to help on the front line, but I can run support for those who do.’

Mr Nicholas described his work as a commitment to look after those who are working around the clock to manage coronavirus patients.

‘Do they need you to prepare some meals they can freeze? Do they need you to pick up or look after their kids? Even if it’s on the one day they get off so they can catch up on some sleep,’ he said.

‘Do they need a shoulder to cry on? Someone to scrub their shower because it hasn’t been done in a month? Talk to them early, because when they really need the help, they might not be in the right space to ask for help.

‘If we all pitch in then maybe we can reduce the impact COVID-19 will have on our communities.’

Hundreds of healthcare workers right across Australia are posting their details and needs on the main discussion page, with people hurrying to extend a hand

Hundreds of healthcare workers right across Australia are posting their details and needs on the main discussion page, with people hurrying to extend a hand.

Armadale Park Cafe in Western Australia is providing free coffee to medical staff, T Sisters Fresh Foods in Perth is sending Asian fusion food deliveries for free and pre-packaged snacks are being dropped off at major hospitals.

‘This page is so awesome. It has really helped restore my faith in humanity. I work as an ED RN in 6056. I am happy to help on my days off, which may become less… my main concern is that I am casual and if I become unwell and have to self quarantine, how am I going to pay my bills?’ One woman said.

‘I also have a young family at home. It is a very stressful time for all. Thank you for thinking of all of us.’

Workers are being pushed to their limits as they fight the risk of infection

At present the current needs are mainly childcare, delivery meals, a conversation other than what they’re working on, donations of blood and shopping for essentials

Coronavirus symptoms and how it spreads:

Symptoms of coronavirus

Symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly. People with coronavirus may experience:

fever
flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
shortness of breath

How it spreads

There is evidence that the virus spreads from person-to-person. The virus is most likely spread through:

close contact with an infectious person
contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
touching objects or surfaces (like doorknobs or tables) that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face

How to prevent it

Everyone should practice good hygiene to protect against infections. Good hygiene includes:

washing your hands often with soap and water
using a tissue and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
avoiding close contact with others, such as touching

‘Does anyone know of any supermarkets doing online ordering/collection still (we are 6007)? Wife and I are both doctors and with three kiddies we can’t get to the supermarkets in the morning when they might actually have stock of some daily staples,’ another man said.

‘We are not doing it hard but a bit worried about how we might get supplies moving forwards.’

A third added: ‘Clinical Nurse at PCH here in Aubin Grove 6164. We are good currently. Anxiety about potential school closures is real though and managing my kids stress and anxiety about what they’re hearing is difficult. This will be a year to remember.’

At present the current needs are mainly childcare, delivery meals, a conversation other than what they’re working on, donations of blood and shopping for essentials.

‘I have been nursing for 20 plus years, through SARS and the avian flu and can see the real panic in the community,’ one woman said.

‘We need to pull together and support each other through what could be a bad flu season (Covid or otherwise). I think this is a great network of support and restores faith in humanity vs the insanity of toilet rolls shelf emptying.’

At present there is one group for every state, but Mr Nicholas is trying to organise further groups to be made so that each state can have their own – to avoid confusion.

You can help by visiting the Facebook page here.

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