https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/the-random-acts-of-kindness-fighting-the-fear-of-coronavirus/news-story/9ae5b209bf0192df62691b724972d71a

It can be as simple as smiling at a stranger. At a time when uncertainty and chaos are powering greed and selfishness, another human quality has emerged from crisis — that of kindness.

Despite social isolation and worrying financial uncertainty, Australians are arming themselves with that most powerful of weapons — simple acts of kindness — to fight COVID-19.

Some of these random acts of kindness have been hi-tech — community groups marshalling on social media — and others have been as low-fi as possible, such as notes through letterboxes, a doorknock and an inquiry, a simple offer to help in the supermarket line.

Across Australia we’ve been donating coffee to healthcare workers and chocolates to teachers, cooking meals for neighbours and shopping for the elderly.

Experts say acts of kindness — no matter how small — have never been more ­important. And love, says ­psychiatrist Karan Sinha, is more contagious than the deadly coronaviru

It also has the power to spread more widely,” Dr Sinha said.

“I am seeing a lot of great initiatives like ‘adopt a healthcare worker’, or people volunteering to get groceries for someone. People are reaching out and that’s really important.

“Compassion tempers the body’s stress mechanisms, so it is a powerful way to reduce anxiety too, and immunity can be strengthened if you are less stressed. It’s a good time that the community can rally ­together against a common enemy. Physical isolation doesn’t have to mean emot­ional isolation.”

Yoga teacher Lisa Ball didn’t know what to do to help others so she went to her local Coles and started doing little but ­important things.

“Even before I got into the supermarket, there was a woman in her late-80s struggling to carry a bag, so I went up to talk to her,” she said.

“She had just had cataract surgery and could barely see. There was no stock but staff had given her one toilet roll.

“She was really confused and disoriented, so I took her to a taxi, got her phone number and have been checking in on her.”

Horrified at what see saw, Ms Ball approached the ­manager and asked to come back as a volunteer. And she brought friends.

“The first day we arrived at 6.45am and this very elderly, frail woman was walking away from the supermarket,” Ms Ball said.

“She had woken up at 5am to get there, but when she saw the queues she panicked … We helped her and got her what she needed. Her name was Joan, she was 91 and she used to fly military planes.

“In times of crisis, we can either panic, or we can remember what it feels like to care for one another. I am young, healthy and want to help. And because I am, I felt the most positive and uplifted I have in weeks.”

Manja Briffa joined Facebook page The Kindness Pandemic, which has attracted 145,000 members since ­starting a week ago.

The Melbourne teacher went to her local Coles, purchased some chips and treats, and then told the cashier to keep them for staff to brighten their day. “I just wanted them to know people care,” she said.

Rural butcher Paul Maguire was blown away to be given an envelope with $200 cash in it, with a note asking for it to be spent on meat for the needy.

“Things like that make you feel better,” Mr Maguire said.

“People are being kinder. Up at the local IGA there was no toilet paper, so the owners got theirs from home and were giving it to people for free.”

One small business has found a way to give back to its local community — especially those who have been loyal customers for decades and are now in self-isolation.

Emporio Home and Flowers in Manly has been bundling up fresh blooms, gift hampers, produce and daily essentials and giving them to elderly customers.

Cynthia Lane, 91, said that she “never in a million years” expected to receive “such a nice hamper”.

I’m ancient now and I never expected this from anybody, I keep feeling like I’m in a dream, I don’t deserve this,” Ms Lane told The Sunday Telegraph.

“I’m so grateful and so happy. I didn’t expect anybody to be thinking about me.”

Ms Lane has been a regular customer for more than 40 years and is well known to all staff and locals for her bountiful energy.

Store manager Michelle Gale said her staff regularly drop by to visit Ms Lane, who lives alone, but thought the gesture was important at a time like this when morale is low.

“Cynthia has been coming to us for years and years, just about every single day,” she said.

“Even though the flowers are beautiful we just want our customers to know that if you’re alone and struggling we are here and we are more than happy to help in any way that we can.

“It’s customers like Cynthia who keep us going.”

Ms Gale has also noted the influx of shoppers purchasing flowers as a way to brighten the day for others who may be in isolation.

SO MANY OF US WANT TO HELP OTHERS

Krista Henriques and her cricketer husband Moses knew how hard it was to shop with their 10-week-old son Archie in tow, so started thinking of the difficulties faced by others in these trying times.

As a result, the Cart Buddy Initiative was born, linking healthy volunteers to the vulnerable so they can shop for them.

And with Moses captaining the Sydney Sixers, the Clovelly couple already has an impressive list of volunteers waiting to help, including a number of Aussie cricketers who are putting their unexpected time

That's good cods

Western cultures do of course include kindness, when we know it will be appreciated


However, we need to be cautious with some things

From an ACCC Email I've received ...

Warning on COVID-19 scams

Dear radar subscriber,

Australians should be aware scammers are adapting existing technology to play on people’s fears around coronavirus and selling products claiming to prevent or cure the virus.

Since 1 January 2020, the ACCC’s Scamwatch has received 94 reports of scams about coronavirus, but warns figures are starting to climb.

Scamwatch has received multiple reports of phishing scams sent via email or text message that claim to be providing official information on coronavirus but are attempts to try and obtain personal data.

“Unfortunately, scammers are using the uncertainty around COVID-19, or coronavirus, to take advantage of people,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.

Other scams include people receiving misinformation about cures for coronavirus and investment scams claiming coronavirus has created opportunities to make money.

“We’ve had a wide variety of scams reported to us, including fake online stores selling products claiming to be a vaccine or cure for coronavirus, and stores selling products such as face masks and not providing the goods.”

“There is no known vaccine or cure for coronavirus and a vaccine isn’t expected to be available for 18 months. Do not buy any products that claim to prevent or cure you of COVID-19. They simply don’t exist.”

“Scammers are impersonating official organisations such as the World Health Organization and the Department of Health or legitimate businesses such as travel agents and telecommunications companies,” Ms Rickard said.

“Understandably, people want information on the pandemic, but they should be wary of emails or text messages claiming to be from experts.

Bias_2012 wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2020 at 10:39am:

“Unfortunately, scammers are using the uncertainty around COVID-19, or coronavirus, to take advantage of people,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.

we should track these people and then send known carriers into their homes

John Smith wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2020 at 10:53am:

Bias_2012 wrote on Mar 22nd, 2020 at 10:39am: “Unfortunately, scammers are using the uncertainty around COVID-19, or coronavirus, to take advantage of people,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said. we should track these people and then send known carriers into their homes

That’s a point.
If they claim they have the cure, then they would not be afraid to confront and prove it, without hazmat suits or masks,  in a hospital infections ward!