Man praised for ‘clever’ way of helping elderly neighbours
A couple are being praised for their genius way of helping their elderly neighbours amid the coronavirus outbreak in Australia.
A man shared his idea to a community Facebook group which is offering support for Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also shared a picture to accompany his explanation, which shows the front of a suburban home, with a green piece of paper visible through the window.
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He explained in the Facebook post his neighbours were 92-years-old and are “lovely friends” to the man and his family.
“We would hate for anything to happen to them,” he said.
He explained the purpose of the the card sitting in the window.
“We have given them [the elderly neighbours] a green card. On the flip side is red,” he said.
“If they need us, groceries or support they will flip it to red. It is important that we look after and protect our elderly at the same time.”
People were quick to praise the man’s idea and his consideration for his neighbours during the pandemic.
“I LOVE this,” one person said on the post.
“Such a great idea! thank you SO much for sharing!”
Others agreed the system was “genius” and “brilliant”.
One person said the same idea has been used throughout the UK, where it was “really helpful to the elderly and vulnerable”.
However, some people did share some legitimate concerns about how this system could put the neighbours at risk.
Those people suggested the cards could serve as a signal to thieves or “low-lives”, who could potentially prey on the elderly.
“Having a card on display may make them more vulnerable to low lives,” one person said.
“Would it possibly be better to share contact numbers and check in on them daily (or with agreed regularity) at a safe distance?”
Another person suggested moving the sign to a less visible location, if possible.
“So long as the sign is in a spot which is not in clear view from the road I see no problem with it,” they explained.
“Chances are if a robber was going to target the area they would know where the most vulnerable are anyway.”
On Sunday night, Scott Morrison announced further advice on social distancing, which is enforceable by each Australian state if they choose to do so.
Addressing reporters at Parliament House in a press conference, he strongly advised people aged over 70-years-old to “self isolate”, as should a person with a chronic illness over the age of 60, and Indigenous persons over the age of 50.
In Australia, 18 people have died after being diagnosed with coronavirus, after two 80-year-old women died, one in Tasmania and one in the ACT. It was the first coronavirus deaths for both jurisdictions.
He outlined the only four reasons why everyone else should leave the house - shopping for essentials, medical care or compassionate needs, exercising and education or work.
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