Tips for Volunteering Safely During COVID-19

Tips for Volunteering Safely During COVID-19

There are many benefits to volunteering, including boosting mental and emotional health, increasing compassion for others, and helping people in need.

In fact, many consider volunteering the key to happiness because the true meaning of happiness is helping those around you.

But during these unprecedented times, volunteering has changed. We now focus on helping those heal from the effects of the pandemic. But how can we do it safely without posing a risk to our health? Here are some tips for volunteering safely during COVID-19.

Wear Your Mask

Perhaps the easiest thing you can do to protect yourself and others from spreading disease is to wear a mask. Throughout 2020 and even this year, there has been a constant debate on the difference between standard and medical-grade PPE (personal protective equipment) and which one is the most effective in preventing COVID-19.

Keep in mind that how you wear your mask, its material, and how often you replace it can affect its efficiency.

Wearing your mask also brings with it the responsibility of consistently washing your hands and avoiding contact with your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Volunteer Outdoors

Check with the organization to see if they allow volunteers to perform their duties outdoors. Working outdoors enables you to keep a safe distance from others and reduces your risk of sharing any germs. Try working with an agency that helps clean up neighborhoods or needs help with drive-up donation events.

Go Virtual

You don’t have to leave home to volunteer and make an impact. You can volunteer safely during the pandemic virtually. This can be in offering your writing skills to provide resume assistance for people who lost their jobs in 2020. Many organizations are looking for volunteers with special skills that they can teach or offer to nonprofit businesses.

Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask your chosen organization questions on how their facility operates under CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) restrictions. Many agencies have a page on their website for COVID-19 information; if you feel uncomfortable with how an organization operates, volunteer with another organization.

Donate What You Can

If you’re low on time but still want to do what you can to help, you can donate your clothes or items you no longer need. Many local nonprofit centers focus on giving back to the community via the donations they receive. These centers usually provide ways you can donate money as well.

Follow the above tips for volunteering safely during COVID-19. Volunteering goes beyond receiving an award or pumping up your resume. The act of volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and do what you can do to help others.

+ posts