The COVID-19 Taskforce of the Rotary Foundation, has made the following recommendations made for the engagement of Rotarians in combatting COVID-19.
Five suggested areas of engagement for Rotarians:
- Community education
- Share information from local and regional health authorities and support their efforts.
- Contact your local health department to determine where assistance is most needed.
- Equitable distribution
- Connect with local health departments/agencies (including WHO and UNICEF where applicable) to advocate for and support their efforts to ensure all communities receive equal access to the vaccine.
- Combat misinformation
- Disseminate accurate, fact-based information (as provided by local health agencies).
- Advocate by spreading the word that #vaccineswork. Use Rotary’s work on polio eradication as a key example.
- Invite a medical professional or local health department official to speak virtually at a club meeting.
- Engage with local media (e.g. letters to the editor) in support of local efforts.
- Stop the spread of COVID-19
- Continue to engage in projects supporting mask-wearing, social distancing, proper hygiene practices, and donation of PPE.
- Lead by example (wear masks and practice social distancing at all times) and share images online that reflect these behaviours.
- Encourage vaccination
- Get vaccinated as soon as your country’s system permits and share your experience online.