We live in frightening times, the news is full of panic buying and people fighting over packets of pasta. But in reality things may not be as bad as all that.
In many cases the coronavirus outbreak has brought out the best in people - with groups across Edinburgh connecting with neighbours, giving vital supplies away for free and even making sure medicines are delivered on time.
If you need something to distract from the doom and gloom, this list of five acts of kindness is sure to put a smile on your face.
Loo roll Honesty box
Rather than fighting over bog roll and tins in the supermarket one bar in Leith is doing exactly the opposite. Sofi’s Bar have started an honesty box with supplies for those who might have trouble stocking up.
“Sofi’s posted a pic of their honesty box along with the caption: “Do you know someone who can't get out to the shops, or can't face the crowds of panic buyers? Maybe you have a spare bog roll, tin of food, box of sanitary products or bar of chocolate?
“Drop them off here! Those who need, are free to take an item. We've started off our little honesty box with products from Henderson Local Store, 85 Henderson St. They are fully stocked and lovely guys so show them, and other small local businesses, some support if you can!”
Convenience store goes viral with free 'packs' to elderly
People from around the world went wild for the story of an Edinburgh corner shop who, rather than trying to make a buck out of the panic, decided to stage a giveaway.
Day-Today Drylaw Local made up "coronavirus packs" containing one toilet roll, an antibacterial handwash, one packet of pocket tissues and a packet of paracetamol and handed them out to over-65s.
Staff even offered to deliver the packs for free, if customers were unable to come into the shop.
The kind gesture was praised on social media with people from far and wide including one comment which summed up how we feel, “thank goodness for people like this shop”.
Offering help to neighbours
On Friday a member of the I Love Leith Facebook group suggested a simple way we can all help out our neighbours, and asked for ‘any thoughts on this crazy plan?’
Amanda Moffet explained: “In light of the corona virus and looking at how we support our community I’ve had an idea of a simple way we can connect with our neighbours and make sure people living alone, people caring for vulnerable people, people with young children all have someone they can call on.
“What if we all put a note through say 10 neighbours doors just saying - hi I live at number ‘whatever’ we’re trying to connect our community if you need any help this is my phone number. Could you possibly do the same to 10 of your neighbours (then would probably need a description of direction).
Well, her post took off with 293 like and 76 comments and agreements to say hi and offer help to neighbours across the city.
Cheap food for NHS workers
Tackling the coronavirus is a team effort and nobody does more than the NHS workers on the front lines.
The folks over at Down the Hatch are doing their bit to help staff and say thank you during the coronavirus outbreak.
In a post, Down the Hatch said: "Due to the current situation we have decided to introduce a 40% off discount for all NHS staff as of tomorrow.
"It’s the least we can do to help our NHS staff will be going through a lot over the next while and this is a small way of saying thanks! (Relevant ID will be required for discount).
Dog-walkers deliver medicines
The lovely people over at Pet Helpers are going out of ther way to make sure their clients, many of whom are elderly are getting their medicine and enough to eat.
On their Facebook page they said: “We will be taking the following steps from tomorrow. This is in response to the almost doubling of coronavirus cases in Scotland in the past 24hrs and due to our growing number of elderly and long term medically unwell clients.
“We will be distancing ourselves from said clients. If we can acquire masks we will wear on pickup and drop off and will insist that clients do not approach us.
“We will provide a free prescription and medication delivery service for said clients, regardless of booking for dog walks.
“We will provide milk and bread on each pickup / drop off free of charge. This is to help these clients avoid going out as they are by far most at risk.”
