ARCHIVED - Alhama encourages residents to help out the elderly with shopping

Support from within the community is vital for those most at risk from Covid-19

During the coronavirus emergency lockdown throughout Spain the Town Hall of Alhama de Murcia fully supports the #YoHagoPorTi initiative launched by the Cruz Roja with the backing of the national government of Spain, encouraging healthy adults to support others in their community by helping them out with shopping and other aspects of daily life.

It goes without saying that the elderly, those already suffering chronic medical conditions and the disabled are in particular need of extra helping hands in times like these, and if you are venturing out for provisions the offer of purchasing and delivering any goods they need will be greatly appreciated, not only by the direct beneficiaries of your generosity but also by the community as a whole as a contribution to limiting the spread of Covid-19.

NOTE: This initiative is purely calling on people to provide their own help to neighbours voluntarily. It does not involve any coordinated action by the Town Hall or Red Cross. 

Please note, it is very important to control contact, as a helpful gesture could result in contamination of your neighbour if you are actually infectious yourself without knowing it. Simple precuations such as putting the shopping on the doorstep and not entering the house, having wiped it down with a bacterial wipe first, not entering the home of your neighbour, communicating from a safe distance etc, all basic precautions.

For more local news and other information visit the home page of Alhama Today, including details of how to contact the Red Cross if you or a neighbour urgently needs help during the crisis.

Remember: LOCKDOWN MEANS LOCKDOWN. STAY AT HOME. STAY SAFE AND DO YOUR BIT TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS.

What to do if you are in the Region of Murcia and believe you may have contracted the virus

The regional government has set up a special helpline to supply information to members of the public (900 121212), and also urges people to call the 112 emergency services line if they suspect that they may have contracted the virus rather than going straight to hospital or to a medical centre. Medical staff will be sent to your home to test for the virus.

The Region’s public hospitals have limited the number of visitors to just one per patient.

Sensible precautions

The advice being issued to members of the public by medical authorities all over the world coincides on the following points:

- Wash hands frequently with either soap and water or a sanitiser gel

- Catch coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues – and throw the tissues away immediately after use before immediately washing your hands!

- If you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve – and wash the item of clothing used at the next opportunity

- AVOID touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

- AVOID close contact with people who are unwell

- Don´t panic!