Essential Workers: Taking Care of Errands so You Can Take Care of Us
Running errands pre-pandemic was a fairly simple affair: the biggest challenges comprised of putting together the grocery list and, perhaps, finding an open slot in a crowded parking lot. Now, there are countless other concerns that accompany the weekly routine in order to make sure the likelihood of exposure to the virus is as minimized as possible.
However, for families comprised of one or more essential worker—whose work schedule is unpredictable at best and lengthy and harrowing at worst—luxuries such as optimizing the timing of a grocery trip so that they’re less likely to meet other customers are often impractical and out-of-reach. Unfortunately, this means they have a high risk of contracting the virus both in their place of work and out, especially with evidence that grocery stores are connected to breakouts in locations like Austin, TX.
MD COVIDSitters, an organization based in the DMV area, is hoping to help essential workers balance work and running their households safely by offering free errand and grocery services to those who need it. When you sign up, your family will be paired to a group of eager volunteers, the majority of whom aspiring healthcare professionals, who will be available to help at any time and at your convenience. Each volunteer is assigned to only one family at a time to minimize contact, and current health advice and social-distancing guidelines will be stringently followed in order to ensure maximum safety for you and your loved ones. The volunteers will take care of groceries, shopping, and even child- and pet-care while you’re at work to ease the burden and make life in quarantine just a little bit easier.
MDCS is a member of the COVIDSitters Network and offers a variety of free services to help essential workers as they face more unpredictable and stressful schedules, including Family Care, Pet Care, Errands, and Online Classes in academics, art, exercise, and more. Most of their volunteers are aspiring healthcare professionals and CPR-certified, and all are required to pass a background check and childcare program developed by the Minnesota Department of Health before starting. The work of MDCS and their sister chapters has been featured in publications such as USA Today, The Southern Maryland Chronicle, and WFMZ News.
Learn more about MD COVIDsitters and sign up for their services here.
Sources:
https://www.businessinsider.com/morning-is-best-time-to-shop-groceries-without-crowds-2020-3
