For millions of the homeless, low-income or disabled people, however, running water and food can be a luxury, remote work isn’t an option and social distancing in a shelter or densely packed public housing is next to impossible. Never mind the difficulty of self-isolation or getting medical care or preventive logistics for coronavirus concerns.

As a result, conditions like those in some of the nation’s largest cities could accelerate the spread of this very potentially deadly virus through the nation’s most vulnerable populations, according to homelessness activists, the global pandemic that has swept across nations in recent weeks – forcing drastic changes effects caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Homeless people often have multiple chronic conditions and live together in shared and cramped accommodation, or on the streets; they are, therefore, vulnerable to high rates of infection and mortality without urgent intervention

Governments must come work on getting policies or initiatives that will aid the daily living and lifestyle of the homeless and the helpless. Religious bodies must take up their call to charity and return to the root of humanity and spirituality which is love for the less privileged.

Corporate bodies, non-governmental organizations, and individuals must come out to do what is needful in making life bearable for the poor and needy. This is the time for charity-based organizations to come out together to work passionately so as to reach out to the poor and needy on our streets.

This is not just my concern about the streets, it is my call to all to understand the times and lend a helping hand to the poor and needy on our streets. This is because, across these empty streets, literally, tears are the poor man’s drinking water, bitter is the taste of the homeless child, lost are the hopes of the street beggar, and ceaseless are their sleepless nights. Scary enough a situation it is, the land yonder the gutters where they sleep are becoming burial grounds, sadly.

Wisdom Dordoe || Director & CEO Give Me Hope Foundation || Global Goodwill Ambassador.