As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads uncertainty and hardship around the world, Rotary members and participants are innovating, caring for those affected, and showing that even at a distance, there are ways to help.
As people of action, Rotary members are engaged in their communities — gathering for projects and offering help to those in need. But in many areas, life is changing drastically. Health experts are urging people to maintain distance from others or even isolate themselves in order to slow the spread of the highly contagious virus.
Fighting disease is one of Rotary’s main causes, so members already support efforts to promote proper hand washing techniques, teach people other ways to stay healthy, and supply training and vital medical equipment to health care providers. Now they’re helping health authorities communicate lifesaving information about COVID-19 and donating protective gear and other supplies to clinics and hospitals that are under strain because of the pandemic.
These are just some of the ways that members are supporting their communities right now:
• Here in San Saba the Rotary Club joined with the Central Texas Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry to help distribute food to over 350 families in just one hour. Club members took charge of directing traffic through Mill Pond allowing for an orderly progression of vehicles.
• In Italy, one of the countries that has been affected most, clubs in District 2080 are raising funds to purchase ventilators and protective gear for overstretched hospitals. And when the worst of the outbreak was raging in China, the district’s clubs raised more than $21,000 for protective masks to prevent spread of the disease there.
• Clubs in District 2041, also in Italy, raised funds online to buy protective gear for health workers who will care for COVID-19 patients at a 400-bed hospital being built at Milan’s fairgrounds.
• In Hong Kong, Rotary clubs have raised funds, packed medical supplies, and visited public housing to distribute masks and sanitizers.
• Rotary clubs in Sri Lanka installed thermometers in airport bathrooms and produced posters to raise awareness about the coronavirus for schools across the country.
• The Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan, Sind, Pakistan, distributed thousands of masks to people in Karachi.
• Clubs in District 3700 (Korea) have donated $155,000 to the Red Cross.
• The Rotary club of Metro Bethesda, Maryland, USA, is contacting neighbors who live alone and are quarantined. Volunteers are asked to contact at least five of those people each week to ask how they are and if they need anything. Members are also leaving flowers on their doorsteps.
Using technology to address the crisis
• Although clubs and districts are canceling or postponing their in-person meetings and events, they are still finding ways to keep up their fellowship, reimagine their service efforts and respond to the pandemic:
• The Rotary Club of San Saba held it’s first ever Zoom emeeting. Members logged in and held discussion on future club events. Those logged on, being used to fellowshipping with club members on a weekly basis, were also able to spend time with old friends and catch up face to face without leaving their home or office.
• The Rotary E-Club of Fenice del Tronto invited the public to its 11 March online meeting to raise awareness about the coronavirus. A virologist spoke about the virus, how it spreads, and how to keep safe.
• The Rotary Club of Singapore hosted a webinar in which an epidemiologist and an infectious disease expert addressed questions and concerns about the coronavirus and the pandemic.
• Rotary members in Hereford, England, created a Facebook group for Rotary members and others to use to link people who need support with people or organizations that can help. More than 6,900 people have joined the group since it was started 14 March.
• Two days before its annual fundraiser, the Rotary Club of Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA, moved the event to Facebook. It auctioned more than 100 items and raised more than $100,000, about the same amount as in previous years. Food set to feed 350 people at the event was delivered to those in need.
Our club will meet again this week utilizing Zoom. This is a free app for your smartphone, tablet, laptop or p.c. We invite you to join us this Thursday for our meeting. A program will be presented by Wayne Kelly, the Superintendent of San Saba ISD. Mr. Kelly will be discussing the impact of COVID-19 on our schools and how the school system has had to adapt to ensure our students are able to continue forward with their education during this crisis.
To participate in our meeting send an email to rotarysstx@gmail.com. We will send you a link to our meeting. We welcome you to Hang Your Hat With Rotary.