How the Auburn Community is Pulling Together during the Coronavirus Pandemic

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The COVID-19 outbreak is the worst public health emergency to hit the US and the world in our lifetimes. No one has been exempt from the effects of the coronavirus – it has disrupted literally every area of our society and negatively impacted the lives and livelihoods of millions.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans have tested positive for the coronavirus, and tens of thousands have died. Nonessential businesses have been closed temporarily, and many of those who are still working are doing so from home. There are some workers, however, who are on the front lines and cannot work from the safety of their home, but they continue to go to work every day to treat those who have become sick from the virus and keep our society functioning.

One of the silver linings in all of this is the way folks in the Auburn community and other communities throughout the country are pulling together to help those who are struggling to get through this. COVID-19 is one of those rare shared experiences in which everyone is affected, and as Americans have always done during times of crisis, they are stepping up and rising to the challenge.

Here in Auburn, we have seen numerous examples of neighbors helping neighbors who are in need while the coronavirus pandemic is ongoing. And one of the areas in greatest need is the local food shelves.

Finances are extremely tight for many families, which has caused food shelf donations to drop significantly at a time when there are more people who are going hungry. On top of all this, many of the regular food shelf volunteers are seniors and others who are at greater risk of serious or fatal illness from the virus, so they have had to stay home for a while.

Many individuals, businesses, and agencies are responding to the need and doing their part to feed those who are hungry in the Auburn community. For example, Good Karma restaurant on College Street has a bulletin board with pins on it that all represent three meals with a $10 value. These pins have been pre-purchased by others in the community or donated by the restaurant itself.

Like all other Auburn restaurants, Good Karma has had to close their dine-in service, but they are still open for curbside pickup. Those who need a meal can simply call ahead and ask to use one of the pins, then they can come and pick it up. Those who want to donate can also call and purchase a pin for another community member over the phone.

Local churches are also reaching out to help make sure everyone in the community receives a meal. For example, Open Door Tabernacle Church in Opelika has volunteers who go out and shop for groceries to deliver to those who are shut-in and understandably apprehensive about leaving their homes with the risk of viral exposure out there. They are also focused on getting meals into the hands of children who are going hungry because of this crisis.

Here are some of the other ways the Auburn community is pulling together to help each other during the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Safe Blood Donations: Because of fears of catching the virus, blood donations are way down. But the need for blood has not changed, and the Red Cross has gone to great lengths to ensure that people can donate blood safely. Before entering their building, donors have their temperatures taken. Once inside, donors are kept at least 6 feet apart in keeping with social distancing guidelines. All of the Red Cross staff wears gloves and masks, and all services are sanitized between donations.
  • Supporting Frontline Workers: Truck drivers, grocery store workers, and those who work in hospitals are among the frontline workers who are considered essential and must go to work every day. Many of these folks are working overtime while they are highly stressed about being potentially exposed to the virus. To support frontline workers, many in the community are sending them food, gifts, and appreciation cards. Others who have the skills are sewing homemade masks that they can wear while they do their jobs.
  • Supporting Local Businesses: Any nonessential business where people gather has had to close for the time-being, and restaurants like Good Karma that remain open are only able to provide drive-through or curbside pickup or delivery. Local consumers know that this situation is very hard on many businesses, especially restaurants, and they are trying to patronize them as much as they can. For those who are open, this means ordering from them on a regular basis. For those who are closed, this means buying a gift card that can be used at a later date so the business can receive the revenue now.

We Will all Get Through this Together

The coronavirus pandemic is the greatest national crisis most of us have ever faced, but we will get through this, and we will all come out stronger because of it. In the meantime, we at the Alsobrook Law Group are fully operational and ready to help with your legal needs. We are doing most of our tasks remotely in accordance with social distancing guidelines, but we have the technology and resources to successfully represent our clients like we always have.

To get in touch with a member of our legal team, call us today at 334.737.3718 or message us online. We are ready to serve you!