World News
COVID-19 got you needing groceries, prescriptions or just a chat? There’s a Facebook page for that
A Calgary man who saw his community step up during the 2013 floods says a Facebook page he started is connecting those in self-isolation due to the coronavirus and volunteers in ways he never imagined.For some Calgarians who are self isolating, getting groceries or running errands was a problem. Until now. 4:56A Calgary man who saw his community…
A Calgary man who saw his community step up during the 2013 floods says a Facebook page he started is connecting those in self-isolation due to the coronavirus and volunteers in ways he never imagined.
For some Calgarians who are self isolating, getting groceries or running errands was a problem. Until now. 4:56
A Calgary man who saw his community step up during the 2013 floods says a Facebook page he started is connecting those in self-isolation due to the coronavirus and volunteers in ways he never imagined.
“I wondered if people would actually do things or just talk,” Eric Prangnell told CBC News.
“People are doing a lot.”
Just four days ago, he set up a Facebook page to connect people who need help to people who want to offer it.
Today, there's almost 9,000 people on that page.
- Watch a Calgary man describe how people are responding to a Facebook page he set up to connect people self-isolating over COVID-19 and people who want to help, in the video at the top of this page.
“It runs the gamut. [It's] mostly people who are ill and they don't want to leave their houses and they just need a bit of a grocery boost to tie them over until they can get out to shop themselves when they are healthy,” Prangnell said.
He's seen some amazing acts of kindness.
“We had someone generously, anonymously donate $600 in PC points, so I did a grocery run, put some packages together and I am out and about delivering them.”
A Calgary food blogger and CBC contributor says she is also a little taken aback with the community response.
“I love how quickly people are changing course,” Julie Van Rosendaal said.
“Coming up with ideas and innovations — hosting virtual classes, seminars and shows, shifting their restaurant menus to focus on takeout, offering tutoring sessions for kids home from school.”
She added there are tangible things we can do to offset some of the ugliness that is swirling around, like the hoarding and scalping of consumer goods, such as toilet paper.
“We need to rely on the people in our communities more than ever, which also means doing what we can to ensure our neighbours keep their jobs and businesses open while keeping everyone safe and flattening the curve.”
- Listen as Eric Prangnell shares his experience with The Homestretch in an extended interview, on the audio link below.
Calgarians may be practicing social isolation, but that won't stop them from lending a helping hand. A Facebook group called “YYC COVID-19 Volunteers” has already collected nearly 7,000 members. Eric Prangnell is the creator of the Facebook group. 7:42
Meanwhile, Prangnell says the generosity he is witnessing today isn't his first rodeo.
“I did quite a bit of volunteering during the 2013 floods and I was inspired by how Calgarians took a negative event and injected a lot of positivity into it.
“I figured it would catch on because Calgarians are the most generous people, the most kind people that I have ever encountered. It's been a great conduit for connecting people through the power of social media.”
He says isolation isn't an ideal response to this pandemic, either.
“People post they are afraid and alone. They just want somebody to talk to. There has been a lot of support given on that side as well. With mental health being so important, that part has been amazing.”
With files from CBC Calgary News at 6 and The Homestretch.
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