A highschool student in the Greater Boston area Myra Bhathena has launched a ‘Connect Against COVID’ Initiative via her website (connectagainstcovid.com) which aims at gathering used but functioning tech items like smartphones, tablets and iPads to give to hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the Greater Boston area. These patients are in isolation and unable to stay connected with their loved ones, as they are not allowed to bring their personal belongings including their tech-devicecs with them. 

However, donated tablets would be sanitized by the hospital and placed in each room for patients to use safely. One of the biggest concerns of COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital is the immense isolation and loneliness they feel. Each day, they have limited contact with the outside world and desperately wish to connect with their loved ones.

“It all started when my mother, a physician in the Greater Boston area, received an email from a co-worker asking if we had any old but functioning tablets at home. My mom explained to me that patients suffering from COVID-19 in hospitals are completely isolated from their families and loved ones in order to stop the spread of the virus. They are even unable to use their phones to make calls or FaceTime because they are often without their devices in the ICU or isolation units. Many on their deathbed are unable to spend their last few days with the people they love. But with your help, even one iPad can change that. During these scary times of quarantine and isolation, it is important to keep people connected. This is why I created ‘Connect with COVID’ – together, we can spread love, not the virus!” shares the young do-gooder, Myra! 

[For details, log on to: connectagainstcovid.com]