COVID-19: Stay Healthy at Home during Physical Distancing
*Click here to see our page for Services for Seniors
1. Activities at Home
- Learn at home (Government of Ontario)
- Virtual museum tour (CTV News, Mar 13, 2020)
- eBooks, eAudiobooks, eLearning (Toronto Public Library)
- No Library Card? Sign up for the new Instant Digital Library Card with your Toronto cell phone number (Use code TPL2020).
- Library has started curbside pick-up & drop-off service since June 8.
- Learn to code with fun games (Code.org)
- Free book delivery services by some booksellers (The Star, Mar 18, 2020)
- Free catalogue of Indigenous films online (CBC News, Apr 18, 2018)
- Watch Netflix with your friends online (Netflix Party)
- Search Youtube for:
- Craft / Home Activity Ideas (such as, 5-MINUTE CRAFTS, Handmade Craft Ideas) *Choose the ones that are safe
- Cooking with Kids ideas (such as, Tasty, Tastemade, Delish Kitchen) *Choose the ones that are safe
- Exercise programs such as NHK Radio Calisthenics (Japanese) #1 / #2, English version (#1 / #2) *for sitting exercise, watch the Japanese version
**According to Government of Canada, you can go for a walk if you:
- have not been diagnosed with COVID-19
- do not have symptoms of COVID-19
- have not travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days
- are not in quarantine/self-isolating
- do not congregate and always practice physical distancing (at least 2 metres a part from others at all times)
2. Tips to work from home
from “Working from home for the first time? Here’s how to make it a success.” (CBC News, Mar 20, 2020)
Read the full article from above link for details on each point.
- Maintain your routine
- Create a work space
- Manage the kids (and discuss with your boss about the situation and limitation)
- Take charge
- Avoid isolation
- Overcome a tight space
- Finally, don’t overwork
3. Use of Delivery Services
3-a. Grocery Delivery
- Want groceries delivered? Options across Canada during the coronavirus outbreak. (Global News, Mar 20, 2020)
- 20 online grocery delivery options across Toronto. (blogTO, 2020)
3-b. Meal Delivery
- Food delivery apps in Toronto and how to order online (blogTO, Jan 12, 2018)
- Food delivery is essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s how to order it ethically. (National Post, Mar 20, 2020)
Some points from the National Post (Mar 20) article above:
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- Ordering take-out or delivery is to support restaurants during this difficult time.
- Check the government recommendations first and follow them. If the government says OK, then it is OK.
- Avoid direct interaction (e.g. cash transaction / tipping) with the delivery person to protect both sides. Choose “contactless delivery” option (leaving at the door) where it is possible.
- Be mindful that the delivery person is one of the frontline workers during this difficult time, many of whom with precarious employment status.
4. If you have difficulty getting groceries
Our page, support for seniors, includes information such as the stores offering senior special hours, food hamper delivery, grocery purchase/delivery services for low-income housing residents.
4-a. Food Banks
You can search your local Food Bank service providers from 211 webpage ; most of the services have eligibility criteria such as income.
During this pandemic, some agencies may not accept new application. We recommend you to ask any other services that are still available in your area if the agency can’t accept you.
4-b. Toronto Library Food Banks
Toronto Library Food Banks
Due to reopening part of the library service, their Food bank service was mostly terminated by June 5. To learn the remaining location and register, call the referral line (416-635-7771) of North York Harvest Food Bank.
4-c. Free Food Basket: Building Roots – Moss Park Market
Free food baskets for pick-up or delivery for those living in the Moss Park neighbourhood. Pick up – 11 am – 4 pm on Saturdays at 60 Queen Street East, or contact hannah@buildingroots.ca for delivery arrangement.
**Go back to the COVID-19:
