How everyday Sri Lankans are helping fight Covid-19

By Yumiko Perera

The worldwide spread of Covid-19 has managed to disrupt day-to-day activities of people world-over. Not only has the novel corona pandemic has placed significant strains on healthcare systems, essential public services and communities globally; it also seems to have placed strains on human relationships equally. So much so, that the panic seems to have overpowered basic human decency. Life as we know it has slowly started to recede and now we are in a situation that is testing not only our faith, but our values, as well as our humanity.

People may forget others and focus on themselves by putting their needs first, as they try to cope with fear as the panic rises. Restoring our faith in humanity in these testing times are simple acts of kindness by selfless human beings all across the world as well as in our little island nation, proving, a little indeed does go a long way. The way we respond to the happenings around us could make a positive impact on people around us, and the following stories that recently emerged from various social media sites are proof enough that there still may be hope for us, after all.

There were several people across the island who are extending a helping hand and supporting those in need in this time of need. From distributing food items among the marginalized, to supporting the healthcare professionals in the frontlines with preexisting tech to help battle the virus, people from all walks of life seems to be doing their bit, albeit the restrictions. In full compliance with the government’s guidelines of staying at home, there are many out there doing their best to ensure they are doing their bit to help out those in need in this time of distress.

The shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) had become increasingly problematic as the Covid-19 cases have started to surge. A small team of the anim8.lk crew has been real busy making face visors for hospitals that are treating patients with Covid-19. Hoping to release the face visor design for open source manufacturing soon, the anim8lk crew were more than happy to put their rapid prototyping tech to good use in this time of need.  Not only is their thoughtfulness and generosity admirable, their work is exemplary. 

Several other initiatives that raised funds to support daily wage workers were to be seen as well, as there were so many who couldn’t afford to feed their families because their daily income was completely barred by the chaos.

Patrons of a temple in Madahapola gathered some essentials at the Sunday school premises for parents who are struggling to feed their children.  

A street vendor in the Kadawatha town had been setting up his stall without a mask, when a policeman told him that he couldn’t sell anything without having a mask on. When the policeman realized that he was helpless and seemed visibly flustered, not only did he offer the vendor an extra mask, he even helped him put it on. (Pic courtesy Isuru Aparna Wijesinghe)

Meanwhile another police officer attached to the Meegahawaththa Police in Delgoda was spotted offering his meal to several dogs in the area (Pic courtesy: Kushan Pathiraja)

The Sri Lankan cricket team also made financial contributions to the Homagama Base Hospital to buy Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for its healthcare staff, as well as to the Colombo General Hospital in order to buy a video Laryngoscope, which is used in treating patients with Covid-19. These are testing times, let’s support and appreciate the work carried out by our amazing medical professionals on the frontlines, the tri-forces and especially to those who are working hard to make our country safe from this pandemic.