It is such a critical time to support one another where we can and unify. An important message being shared at the moment is that though we are all self-isolating, we are not all in the same boat. This is why it is so important that we remember that some of us are less fortunate, with fewer resources to cope with the stay-at-home order.

We all seem to be having the same realisation: how easy it is to take simple things in life for granted, leading to a sentiment that many are expressing – ‘things should not go back to the way they were before’.

As for the Museum, being a charity, we do our best to make sure that what we have is used in the most appropriate and efficient way. That being said, we also feel it is a priority to support our community and our users as best as we’re able. For this reason, RCM made the decision to donate our medical-grade gloves and protective aprons to Royal Cornwall Hospital. We had approximately 5000 gloves total in several sizes as well as protective aprons. Our collections are safe and stable, so we felt that the only thing we should do is share some of resources with those who really need them: our NHS workers.

The boxes of gloves are ready to go, piled in the reception area of the Royal Cornwall Museum. RCM also donated aprons and wrote a card thanking the NHS for all of their hard work.

Our collaboration with local hospitals spans more than a century: https://www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk/the-museum-at-war

But this isn’t about us, it’s about COVID-19 Cornwall; other organisations have been working to help our NHS in amazing ways. Schools have been using their time and resources to help make supplies for medical workers and many organisations have been offering their buildings or erecting temporary spaces to aid the efforts of the NHS.

We’re working together as a community during a time where economic, political and social divides have never been more public thanks to the internet. Yet, when we’re faced with unprecedented circumstances, we band together, using our own resources to help others:

“Well, it struck me that I will be eating alone for a long time now, and that the food I have in for the “social occasions” would be better-deployed if I donated it to the local food-bank.  Our local Tesco have a big bin, just past the check-outs, where you can donate stuff.  I soon had three carrier-bags of stuff – packets and tins which I know I’m not going to use so long as I’m only catering for myself.”

A. Rowell

“…the lady of the house was out organising food for vulnerable people.”

T. Burt

“…my community, as usual in times of trouble, are rallying round to help the vulnerable and make sure that everyone gets what they need.  We are inconvenienced, perhaps, but we’re coping.”

Kate Mole

In my area we are part of a support network helping the vulnerable to shop and ensure that they have their medication – even dog-walking. Before now, we had never fully taken in the community in which we live. COVID-19 has given us a new appreciation which we all seem to be feeling – as one contributor asks, ‘Why do we need such an episode as this pandemic to discover how much we value our carers, cleaners, nurses, bin men et al?’ A. T. Burt.

With thanks to our contributors: A.T. Burt; A. Rowell; Kate Mole

Share with us the ways in which you are being supported or supporting others. Email [email protected] or go to www.royalcornwallmuseum.org.uk/covid-19-collection for more information.