It’s not the emergency we have been planning for at KPCA, but the response to the arrival on our shores of the COVID-19 virus brings into play neighbourhood support. With the imposition of self-isolation on anyone returning home to the Peninsula since 1 a.m. Monday, we need to look out for our neighbours who might be affected. At the same time, there may be others in our community who are elderly, isolated or not mobile and who will be concerned about the COVID-19 virus and the potential harm an epidemic might cause them.
The localities we have established as part of our Emergency Response planning (see the 18 December blog) is a useful starting point for identifying who might be vulnerable, where they live and whether there is a need for coordinated action within the locality to deliver help. So, check on you neighbours if you think they may need support in the absence of an established family or friend network. Speak to others in your locality to establish an action squad to do the necessaries e.g. organise deliveries of groceries and medicines.
There is some good advice about self-isolation from the Ministry of Health: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-health-advice-general-public/covid-19-staying-home-self-isolation and media e.g. RNZ: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/first-up/audio/2018737875/dos-and-don-ts-of-self-isolation-your-questions-answered