Caremongering: The new movement sweeping the globe

Something is spreading rapidly around the world in the wake of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

While the mass media have been quick to share stories of toilet paper hoarding and other examples of pandemic-related unpleasantness, Facebook and Instagram are awash with examples of people going above and beyond to help their fellow human beings through these challenging times.

Dubbed “caremongering,” this new movement took off in Canada earlier this year, and has gained momentum around the globe ever since.

What is Caremongering?

Just a few short months ago, the word caremongering didn’t exist in the public consciousness.

In response to the scaremongering that has arisen following the current coronavirus pandemic, caremongering was created to encourage members of a community to connect with each other in a positive way. The idea behind the movement is to help spread the opposite of panic, driving a real sense of community and helping those among us who are more vulnerable or isolated.

People from many different backgrounds are joining these groups to help others within their community, particularly those who are more at risk from coronavirus, in many different ways, including:

• Going to the supermarket to pick up groceries
• Posting mail
• Walking dogs – or other pets – for those who can’t leave the house
• Running urgent errands
• Taking the time for a phone call with a lonely neighbour

Driven by social media, this community-based altruism is managed online, with various hashtags giving all involved a permanent reminder of the good that is happening in the different communities. Tales of caremongering offering an uplifting reminder that it’s not all doom and gloom out there. 

The bulk of posts are divided between two main distinctions:

• #iso posts for people in search of help
• #offer posts for those who are offering to help others

Hashtags also exist for things such as discussions, news articles and what local shops are open for business, but people looking for help or offering to help make up the bulk of posts in these groups.

The last few months has seen an explosion of caremongering groups appear online, including “The Kindness Pandemic” (Facebook), which has almost 600,000 members at the time of writing. While some online groups boast members from many different countries, others are more community-focused, only accepting members from the same neighbourhood.

Many groups, such as the Bondi-based “COVID-19 Support & Assistance Community Network – Sydney” have started to combat the negativity that has emerged around the crisis. Their Facebook page states:

Ripples in a pond

These groups are not exclusively for people seeking or offering help, they also give people a platform for sharing acts of goodwill in their communities.

The #thankapostie hashtag is trending worldwide, with lots of different people sharing pictures of the artistic messages they leave for their posties. The recent call for people to “clap-for-health-professionals” had thousands of people sharing clips of themselves standing on balconies to show their appreciation for the brave men and women on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19.

In various communities around the world, people are leaving teddy bears in the front windows of their houses so local children can participate in a game of I-spy as they walk around the neighbourhood for their daily exercise.

Others are finding creative ways to support their local businesses through the tough times, such as buying gift certificates for products or services that can be redeemed at a later date, paying for lessons in advance, or even donating what they would normally spend on a haircut or meal to their favourite salon or restaurant even though they can’t go in person.

Big (hearted) business

And it’s not just individuals who are helping out. Many businesses – some of whom are impacted by strict social distancing measures – are not only finding ways to stay afloat, but also striving to make a difference in their communities.

From small cafes delivering meals to susceptible people, to supermarket chains setting aside their first hour of trading especially for the elderly. From self-employed fitness instructors offering free online classes for those in lockdown, to a global company such as Fender making their online guitar lessons free for anyone to participate in. Other businesses are taking advantage of the heightened awareness around the more vulnerable members of our society to raise much needed funds for their important charitable activity.

Banks are getting in on the action too, with most financial institutions offering relief to help their customers and members keep their head above water until this crisis has passed.

What can I do?

Being a mutual bank, we understand the importance of community. While you might be separated from others by distance, there are a variety of healthy ways you can keep connected:

We’re all going through the same thing, so please be kind to others.

Where you are comfortable to do so, and it is safe for you and others, we encourage you to make sure that any vulnerable or isolated members of your neighbourhood are okay during these difficult times.

Join an online, community-based group, which is a great way to share information and stay connected with others.

When sharing information online, please make sure it’s accurate.