“It is easy to believe we are each waves and forget we are also the ocean.” ― Jon J. Muth

My neighbourhood had steered clear of the toilet paper panic. Until this weekend. A neighbour on a pension told my husband that the local IGA had been cleared out of toilet paper. I said I could get him some, as so far, I've been in my own Truman Show where none of this craziness was a problem. I'm currently trying to share the money to the small corner shops (as they'll be hit hard in the lockdown), and discovered I was gouged at $8 for a 6 pack in my do-goodery. I will admit I was annoyed when I figured it out, as I do expect more from our people in the neighbourhood. But I'd already tapped and paid, so I gifted it to our neighbour and kept the price secret. I can afford to waste $8. He cannot. I had been proud of my neighbourhood at their lack of hysteria but I guess even they've fallen. Try to support the smaller businesses if you can (though maybe not if they're gouging), the big chains will survive. The little guys may not.

I have taken heart that on the local FB page, a lot of people are trying to work out how to look after the elderly and those with mobility issues. How to get them supplies.  I like that there are people offering boxes of home grown produce to those in need.










Neighbours are meant to look out for each other. If your neighbourhood isn't, then it's time for you to start. Start with one specific person if necessary, but start all the same. It can be small and easy - I shop for a 96 year old neighbour. It's minimal effort for me but provides weekly support for her. I am a little worried about what happens in the lockdown. On Friday I made her watch from the lounge room while I unpacked the groceries, and I sanitised before walking in. I'm not sick but I worry about the infectious period with no symptoms. We need to be very mindful of our role as infectors, not just getting sick ourselves.


Now is a time we need to rally together. Make sure no one is left behind. It's time to stop the everyman for himself attitude because we won't survive this if we're selfish. We need to be on the lookout for those in need. We need to share the spending around. We need to think a little more about what we're doing.

We need to be good neighbours.

The happiest people I know are people who don't even think about being happy. They just think about being good neighbors, good people. And then happiness sort of sneaks in the back window while they are busy doing good.

Harold S. Kushner

Do you have ideas on how we can help people during the lock down? Please share below.

Or if you are out of lockdown, have you made helping your neighbours and those in need a priority?

Linking with #Blogtober21 because when I read the prompt, this photo of a car was the first thing that sprung to mind and we're still in lockdown so it all still applies really....