Should I Stay or Should I Go?

 
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

If thereʻs one thing that I hate most about these uncertain times is that I hate hearing the phrase ʻthese uncertain times.ʻ Seriously. Like a teenager rolling her eyes at her parents who just made some lame, uncool joke for the umpteenth time, Iʻm over it. Iʻm also so over, staying home and being regaled with home cooked food (apologies to the husband). Yes, first world problems, I know. So imagine the level of joy I had when I first heard things were going to slowly start to reopen again. Hereʻs the convo I had with myself and my brain just last week:

READY-TO-SOCIALIZE-SHAR: ʻOoh, I can eat at a restaurant again with my friends!ʻ

BRAIN: ʻUh, yeah, no.ʻ

READY-TO-SOCIALIZE-SHAR: ʻWhat? Why not?ʻ

BRAIN: ʻCause thereʻs no vaccine for COVID-19 yet.ʻ

READY-TO-SOCIALIZE-SHAR: ʻMeh, maybe I can risk it. I think Iʻll be okay. Itʻs just one dinner out.ʻ

BRAIN: ʻNope. COVID-19 = DEAD SHAR.ʻ

SO-NOT-READY-TO-SOCIALIZE-SHAR: ʻUgh. Buzzkill.ʻ

volunteers need to examine the risks involved and the ʻcan vs shouldʻ aspects of in-person volunteering before deciding to serve during a pandemic.

Much like the conversation I had above, volunteers need to examine the risks involved and the ʻcan vs shouldʻ aspects of in-person volunteering before deciding to serve during a pandemic.

Can I Volunteer?

The question of ʻCan I volunteer?ʻ boils down to a checklist of sorts.

  1. Am I a person in good health? No pre-existing health conditions, no recent bouts of fever or diarrhea, no recent loss of taste or smell. Iʻm under the age of 60 and am not pregnant.

  2. Am I currently undergoing testing for COVID-19 or am I living with someone who is undergoing testing?

  3. Do I come into frequent contact or live with someone who is immunocompromised?

  4. Have I been adhering to CDC guidelines for proper hand washing, mask wearing, social distancing, and avoiding large crowds or gatherings?

  5. Have I recently traveled by plane or boat in the last 14-21 days?

  6. Can I follow all of the guidelines from the organization while volunteering?

    1. Am I prepared to wear and use PPE?

      1. Can I wear a mask for a long period of time? Possibly while doing physical activity?

      2. Can I wear a face shield for long periods of time?

      3. Can I wear gloves for long periods of time?

    2. Am I prepared to wash my hands during timed intervals?

    3. Am I prepared to sign a waiver?

    4. Am I prepared to have my temperature taken on site?

    5. Am I prepared to follow the direction of the organization and enforce safety procedures?

  7. Is the organization prepared to keep me safe while volunteering?

These qualifiers allow for the bare minimum of what I need to consider before volunteering. Failing to honestly disclose any of the above puts not only myself in harm's way but also those that I love and those that I volunteer alongside. ʻCan I volunteerʻ is what the organization youʻre volunteering with should ask of you before you even sign up for a shift to volunteer. (And if they donʻt ask you, make sure you ask them what their safety protocols are!)

Should I Volunteer?

The question of ʻShould I volunteer?ʻ is a little bit different. Itʻs more of a choice and differs from person to person. Much like the ʻCan I volunteer?ʻ quandary, we can make things neat with a checklist of questions here too. 

  1. Am I prepared mentally to volunteer? 

  2. Have I thoughtfully reflected on what I will be doing as a volunteer?

  3. Have I taken into consideration how methodical safety procedures are and how taxing they could be on me?

  4. Can I volunteer around others that I donʻt know and be comfortable with it?

  5. Am I prepared to possibly make unintentional physical contact with a participant or volunteer?

  6. Have I discussed my decision to volunteer with my partner, family and friends, or people I live with?

  7. Does volunteering present an opportunity to help fill an essential need or service? Is this something that I am okay with?

  8. Am I volunteering out of guilt or shame?

  9. If this is my first time volunteering... 

    1. Have I asked myself why? Why now? 

    2. Have I considered that my inexperience as a new volunteer might put others at risk?

    3. Have I thought about volunteering beyond COVID-19?

  10. Am I prepared to take a COVID-19 test after volunteering?

  11. Am I prepared to let the Volunteer Coordinator know that I am uncomfortable with the lack of safety protocols?


ʻCan I volunteer?ʻ considers risk as its driving factor, while ʻShould I volunteerʻ takes into consideration the opportunities that may arise as a result of volunteering and weighs it against the risks. During these uncertain times (ugh!), we feel the call to service more than ever. And while the call and need may be strong, we must still weigh the risks before putting ourselves in harm's way. Pondering the personal, physical and mental risks of volunteering beforehand can allow for a better experience and bring some peace of mind while serving during a pandemic.

Post by: Shar Paet, Creative Director & Co-Founder, HIHO shar@hiho.org // Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

 
Shar Paet