What would Mr. Rogers do during the Coronavirus outbreak?

We are in a scary time on this planet. Everyone is worried about their loved ones. We want to stay on top of the news and do the best we can to protect ourselves and those closest to us. People of my generation always had one particular person to turn to when things got rough, the indomitable Mr. Rogers. So it is a natural question to ask: What would Mr. Rogers do? Here is my best guess from years of watching him on PBS.

1. Stay home.

Everyone has different talents and gifts. Some people know a lot more about medicine and viruses than you and I do. So we should listen to them when they give us advice on how to keep ourselves and our neighbors healthy. If they say that we need to wash our hands and stay at home, we should wash our hands and stay at home. If Mr. Rogers were still around today, he’d be visiting our living rooms from his living room.

2. Listen to your own feelings and express them appropriately.

We are all a mess of emotions right now. We are sad about canceled plans. We are worried about our parents and grandparents. We are scared about the state of the world. We may even be a little relieved to have some time off from our usual responsibilities to have time to spend with our families. Whatever you are feeling, it’s okay. It’s not okay to vent those feelings on the people closest to us and make them feel bad. But maybe doing some art could help, maybe talking about your feelings on the phone with a close friend could help, maybe just taking a time out and journaling or screaming into a pillow will help. Feel all of your feelings and let them out, just don’t hurt anyone (including yourself) in the process.

3. Listen to other people’s feelings.

People are important and everyone is having a hard time right now. Sometimes those who are screaming the loudest are the most scared. Be compassionate to everyone you meet. Listen to them and be kind. Mr. Rogers had a way of making people feel like they were the most important in the world when they spoke to him. He gave them his undivided attention and they knew it. Yes, we all have a lot to do right now especially when we are working from home or taking care of children, but being kind is priceless. Other people will know and appreciate that you are giving them your undivided attention. It will help them feel heard and appreciated.

4. Look for and appreciate the helpers.

A famous Mr. Rogers quote goes:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

We have a lot of helpers right now, from the cashier at your grocery store, to the delivery person of your online orders, to the doctors and nurses at the hospital and many, many more. Let them know you appreciate them. Be polite to them. Thank them. Tip delivery people generously if you can. Sew masks if your local medical facility has asked for them. Offer a compassionate ear if they need to vent. Respectfully listen to them when they ask you to do something.

5. Help in any way you can.

Mr. Rogers would most likely have helped by staying at home and offering an affirming and supportive word. You can help as well in any way works for you. If you love to sew, make some masks. If you have a talent for public speaking or writing, help to spread positive and accurate information online. If you are a good friend and a great listener, help by letting others talk to you about their feelings. If you like to cook, make meals for homebound neighbors (keeping your distance, of course). There’s a number of ways to help right now, just think of what you are good at and what you are comfortable doing and do it! You too can be one of the helpers!