Rotary’s battle against Covid 19……What in the world are Rotarians doing ?
As the covid 19 pandemic spreads uncertainty and hardship around the world, ROTARY members and participants are innovating, caring for those affected, and showing that even at a distance, there are ways to help.
Fighting disease is one of ROTARY”S main causes, so now we are helping health authorities communicate lifesaving information about covid 19, and donating protective gear to clinics and hospitals.
These are some of the ways that members are supporting their communities right now………
Italy. Clubs in D2080 and D2041 are raising FUNDS TO PURCHASE Ventilators and protective gear for overstretched hospitals, including a 400 bed hospital built in Milan’s fairgrounds.
These clubs also fundraised for protective masks for China.
Hong Kong. Rotary clubs have raised funds, packed medical supplies and visited public housing to distribute masks and sanitizers.
Pakistan. Rotary Club of Karachi has distributed thousands of masks.
Sri Lanka. Rotary clubs installed thermometers in airport bathrooms and distributed posters to schools across the country.
South Korea. District 3700 has donated $155,000 to the Red Cross.
USA. Volunteers of Rotary club in Maryland are contacting neighbors who live alone and are quarantined to ask if they need anything. Members leave flowers on doorsteps.
……….and using technology to address the crisis, Rotary clubs ……
Singapore. Hosted a webinar in which an epidemiologist and an infectious disease expert addressed questions about covid 19 pandemic.
USA. In Washington, a Rotary club used crowdsourcing to create an online listing of grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants that offer home delivery.
The Polio experience…advantage……
Using the vast infrastructure developed to identify the poliovirus, and deliver vaccination campaigns, ROTARY is pitching in to protect the vulnerable from covid 19, especially in polio endemic countries, drawing on years of experience fighting outbreaks to support governments as they respond to the virus.
Pakistan. Trained over 280 surveillance officers in covid 19 surveillance, and contact tracing and improving testing in six reference laboratories.
Nigeria. Over 50 WHO Polio program medical staff work to mitigate further spread, using lessons learned from years of battling the poliovirus. The program also lends vehicles, phones and admin support to the covid 19 effort.
This is Rotarians at work for the good of humanity .