Anyone who has been to a grocery store over the last few days can attest to the fact that these are weird times. Supplies are being depleted rapidly. The crowds are getting insane. You’re lucky if you can find what you need and a shopping cart to put it all in. For some people, this is a chaotic experience. For others, it is downright terrifying and they have no one to help them.
The older population has to be considered at times like these. The prospect of facing large crowds has to be scary. How are they supposed to get their hands on all of the essentials when they are unable to navigate the insanity? They are not scared of the long lines or the crowds. They are scared of being exposed to the disease and being left without a lifeline.
I went to the grocery store this afternoon. As I was walking in I heard a woman yell to me from her car. I walked over and found an elderly woman and her husband. She cracked her window open a bit more, and explained to me nearly in tears that they are afraid to go in the store.
— Rebecca Mehra (@rebecca_mehra) March 12, 2020
Rebecca Mehra is a professional runner who ran into one such couple during a recent shopping run. An older woman caught her attention while she was heading inside. Her story is heartbreaking.
The woman let her know that she had been sitting in the parking lot for some time. She had spent 45 minutes waiting for the lines to clear up so that she could finally get some groceries.
Afraid to get sick as they are in their 80’s and hear that the novel coronavirus is affecting older people disproportionately. And that they don’t have family around to help them out. Through the crack in the window she handed me a $100 bill and a grocery list, and asked if I
— Rebecca Mehra (@rebecca_mehra) March 12, 2020
The elderly woman was nearly in tears at the time. Rebecca knew that she could not force her to brave the crowds. The woman gave her $100 and a list, asking if she could buy the groceries for her. Rebecca jumped at the chance to help out.
She told the story on Twitter, in hopes of motivating others to assist the elderly. Everyone is nervous but that does not mean that common courtesy goes out the window.
I know it’s a time of hysteria and nerves, but offer to help anyone you can. Not everyone has people to turn to.
— Rebecca Mehra (@rebecca_mehra) March 12, 2020
There are a number of elderly folks who simply do not have anyone to turn to at times like these. The story touched all those who read it, and it was shared over 100,000 times. Once the story went viral, Rebecca shared it with CNN.
— Rebecca Mehra (@rebecca_mehra) March 12, 2020
At a time like this, we need each other more than ever before. We must remain on the lookout for those who are in need of our help. Let’s all do our part to get through these challenging times. If you know anyone who needs assistance, do your part and step up to the plate.
1. This happened to me with a gentleman that was 91 yrs old I walked past and heard crying. I walked up to make sure he was alright. He instantly tried to clear up but explained he’s never been scared until now. He handed me 150 dollars and a list the total came to 46.77.
— Chris Kayler (@KaylerKlan) March 12, 2020
Everyone needs to check on all our senior citizen neighbors and help out during this time.
— BrendaRuns (@BrendaRuns) March 12, 2020