Care packages for those isolated by Covid-19 — an action plan

We’ve had plenty of general arguments about Covid-19 statistics and policies: “doing the right thing at the right time”, “herd immunity”, “flattening the curve”, “Blitz spirit”, and so forth. Needless to say, the government is faced by a fearsome combination of health, economic and social challenges. 

But life must go on. Simple but fundamental needs have to be met. While airlines, restaurants, shops, taxi drivers, hotels, tourism and many other sectors have been devastated, supermarkets have been doing rather well. After undue delay and faced by empty shelves, the main chains finally are taking some simple measures to limit stockpiling and, in small measure, to direct supplies to the elderly. 

In a considerable number of places, local volunteers have organised help hubs to shop for the home-bound and to provide moral support for the lonely. Churches, mosques and synagogues are fundamentally changing their activities. Many are having to shut their premises and to hold no further religious services.

At the same time, these religious institutions are becoming vital in new ways. In my home town, Oxford, psychological counsellors were the first to respond, arranging with a charity associated with Blenheim Palace to offer free 15-minute sessions for those suffering from enforced isolation, as well as more practical help with shopping and cleaning. Having shut their doors, two Jewish bodies have circulated members. One has offered two meals a day as well as candles for those observing the Sabbath; the other has stepped in with offers of shopping, twice weekly telephone chats and even quizzes for those likely to suffer from boredom. A Dutch postgraduate, affected by his grandmother’s difficulties in obtaining food back in the Netherlands, has set up a student group offering to help those in her generation living here. For Mothering Sunday, the town’s branch of Carluccio’s has advertised special lunches brought to the door by Deliveroo. 

Certainly, voluntary groups, local religious and social organisations, individual supermarkets and shops have important parts in this new drama. The crisis will also provide opportunities for inter-faith co-operation and for contact between neighbours who have barely spoken with each other. 

All this, however, is no substitute for coordinated action.

For the moment, let’s turn to one practical question: how are those confined to their homes, because they are at high risk if they catch Covid-19, to be assured of obtaining essential supplies?

Appeals to stop panic buying will not work unless there is a coordinated system of guaranteeing that people in lockdown will regularly and reliably receive the basics. In a style less suited for a comment article and intended to provoke a concrete response, here is the backbone of a memorandum to the government. Readers’ suggestions for additions and improvements are welcome.

I suggest a scheme of a fortnightly care package or supply box to be delivered mainly by a consortium of supermarkets. 

1. Standardisation. With a very small range of choices (for example, meat or vegetarian main meals), there should initially be a high degree of standardisation. 

2. Contents. Must include sanitary and hygiene products — antibacterial soap and hand gel, disinfectant, loo paper, washing up liquid; a non-prescription painkiller in a small amount (probably paracetamol); milk and bread; basic food supplies as available, fresh, frozen, or tinned.

3. Price. At cost.

4. Eligibility. There should be minimal bureaucracy. It may become advisable/necessary to create an eligibility system and a way to ensure that each person receives only one fortnightly package. GP practices can (with patient permission) supply lists of those above a certain age (60? 65? 70?) and those of any age with medical conditions that put them at high risk. 

5. Governance. The details need to be considered urgently by a team within central government dedicated to the scheme. The team should coordinate with major food suppliers and supermarkets and with a small number of voluntary bodies, such as AgeUK. 

My suggestion does not yet cover every arising question. What about rough sleepers? What should be the role of food suppliers other than supermarkets? Can taxi and Uber drivers, Deliveroo, or volunteers usefully be incorporated? That is why my fifth point is important. Initially, there are bound to be omissions and snags. But speed is of the essence. Refinements can come later.