These are truly bizarre times.  No going to work, no dining in restaurants, no going to the gym, and worst of all no sports to distract us from our current plight. With so much unpredictability about the future, my daily life has been turned into moments searching for fun and satisfaction whether it be reading a good book, watching a movie, going on a jog, or playing chess with my daughter.

Last week my wife Cheryl and I decided it was time for us to give back to the community by donating blood. As our hospitals are being severely strained due to the Covid-19 pandemic, blood donations have sharply decreased as people are staying home and practicing social distancing. The Blood Donor Center at Children’s Hospital (333 Longwood Ave. Boston) is open and actively taking donations. You can set up an appointment on their website www.halfpints.childrenshospital.org. People may question the safety of donating blood now, but the donation center has taken many precautions to keep everyone safe.

Upon arrival, you receive a mask and are led to a sanitized computer check-in cubicle. The waiting room is designed to maximize social distancing, as is the donation center itself. Only three donors are in the donation center at a time, which is only a fraction of its capacity. The process is quick and easy. I was done in less than 15 minutes! It felt great to get out of the house and cruise into Boston in record time, but most of all I felt a strong feeling of accomplishment of doing what I could during this time of great need. Somehow I had never donated blood before, but I’m especially happy to make this time my first.