Yes, we are currently dealing with a pandemic. No, it's not a helpless situation.
It might SEEM like a helpless, confusing situation, but fighting it in solidarity and with unified efforts, is always the answer. An important part of doing your bit in an emergency like the one we are encountering right now, is arming yourself with the right information, and being prepared.
Whenever we need help, the first object we turn to and have readily available is the mobile phone. So it's important to ensure in advance that we have everything we can possibly need, in our devices already. To help you stay emergency-ready, here's a list of important phone numbers you need to keep in your phone during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Image Courtesy - Twilio
Local Grocery Store
While hoarding is a no-no, it’s a good idea to be well-stocked with daily essentials such as food staples, dairy products, personal and household care items. But I want to emphasise: stocking up is very, VERY, different from hoarding or bulk-buying. Keep your daily grocery store's number handy for if/when you run out of essentials, and get them home-delivered to practise social distancing.
Doctor or Qualified Medical Professional
Obvious, but important. Considering it's a health crisis we are dealing with, the contact information of a trusted doctor or some other qualified medical professional should be readily available on all your devices, at all times.
Neighbourhood Pharmacy
In addition to the essential items you need to stock up on, be sure you have enough basic medicines for common issues such as cold, fever, nausea, cramps, diarrhoea, etc, as well as what you need for any special medical condition you might be dealing with.
Electrician, Plumber, & Other Repairmen
With so many of us working from home, it’s likely that we might end up breaking, detaching, or damaging stuff around the house. While it’s best to leave it be until the situation gets better, in case you need something repaired in an emergency, make sure you keep the number of trusted repairmen on your phone.
Locksmith
Getting locked out of your house or room at a time when we’re all being asked to keep physical contact to a minimum can be a stressful situation. Stay prepared by keeping the contact number of a locksmith close at hand.
Emergency Cab Service Or Driver
For emergency hospital runs, family visits or any last-minute commute needs that might crop up during the current crisis.
Stay alert, stay prepared. We are all in this together.