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March, 22, 2020

Social Connections in the Times of Coronavirus

There are many benefits associated with connecting with people. For one, it adds color to our lives and it makes life vibrant and exciting. Imagine we’re given any material possession or any experience in life we wish to have, but had nobody to share these with… would these things make us happy? Probably not. Connection with others is not only beneficial to our emotional and spiritual wellbeing, it also has a tremendous impact in our physical health. According to Harvard Health Publishing, www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/strengthen-relationships-for-longer-healthier-life “One study, which examined data from more than 309,000 people, found that lack of strong relationships increased the risk of premature death from all causes by 50% — an effect on mortality risk roughly comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and greater than obesity and physical inactivity.” How amazing is that? Being connected benefits our lives in many ways: mentally, spiritually, but also physically.

We are currently living in uncertain times in a global scale, a time unlike any other experienced in most of our lifetimes. Precaution against the coronavirus has created a world of social distancing and quarantines. This virus it’s not only physically affecting the most vulnerable in our society; our elderly, but the necessary precautions taken are also creating social barriers that affect their emotional wellbeing. In the midst of all the chaos we are fortunate to live in a world of technology that facilitates connection during these challenging times. We can still unite as a community and help those that need our help the most. Students recently started a NYC based volunteer delivery service that helps people at high risk of contacting the coronavirus. The service is called ‘Invisible Hands” and it delivers food and pharmaceutical products to those in need, the delivery services are offered in the five boroughs and are free of charge. As of yesterday, the city had more than 5,000 people volunteering for this service. Also, in Rockland County the Office for the Aging started a similar program, ‘Shopping for Seniors’ which also offers these services to Rockland residents.

As a community we can also provide assistance with simple things such as calling an elderly person we know or sending them an email to let them know we are thinking about them. We can also help them by sharing uplifting messages, skyping, or just offering to be of service when possible. Many churches and temples are now livestreaming and many seniors who congregate may not be familiar with these options. Sending them a link of the service could simplify the process making it easier for them to access the service. These are a few examples of ways we can connect with others during these challenging times. Let’s remember to always use precaution while not forgetting we are all in this together. This is the time to unite as a community and help each other, starting with those who are the most vulnerable and are being affected the most.

If you or someone you know in Rockland could benefit from the program ‘Shopping for Seniors’ and would like to learn more about it, please visit: www.patch.com/new-york/nanuet/s/h1wgb/coronavirus-rockland-starts-shopping-seniors-program

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