15/03/2020
We have just had the craziest fortnight at Gerald Burns Pharmacy, ever, and it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down. My staff have been shouted at, verbally abused and accused of hiding stock (we’re not!).
We understand everyone is scared and fear can look a lot like aggression but please be kind.
I’m confident we’ll get through this but those who are flippant about contracting COVID-19 really do put others at risk of serious consequences.
Look after yourself and your family first but consider those around you too.
Now is the time for our community to shine. Let your neighbours know if you’re prepared to help them, should they need it. Reach out, even if you’ve never met them before.
85% of older people don’t know their neighbours and wouldn’t feel comfortable contacting them in a crisis (‘The Australian Loneliness Report’, 2018). Let’s change this. Let’s be radically different and show others we care about our community too.
We’ll be offering those self-isolating with a confirmed diagnosis a delivery service to ensure they get medication but it’s going to be tricky. One staff member on a 15 minute delivery means 10 others will have to wait to be served. (In case you’re wondering, there is no financial support from the government to facilitate this right now, nor talk of it, but we feel it’s the right thing to do.)
I would love to be a part of a coordinated group where people who can, help deliver to those in need.
There is currently a shortage of many products - hand sanitisers, masks, rubbing alcohol, paracetamol, salbutamol - which we have all on back order, so as soon as it’s in we can supply to those who are in need. We’re trying to look after our community first too.
Next week, please smile more, be kind and think about what else you can do to help others. I’m happy to listen to all suggestions of what we can do at work too even though we’re already stretched.
And thank you to the fabulous people who have asked if we’re OK. So far so good!
