Scientists, public health officials, doctors, and news outlets are sounding the alarm. Each day this pandemic hits new records. Our health care system is facing incredible strain, and the death toll is rising. I have written in recent blogs about the responsibilities of our government and of individuals. But looking at this crisis, I think we need to be creative about who can help and how.

Should large, wealthy companies help? They have - at the beginning of the crisis, we received generous donations of N95 masks from local tech companies who stockpiled them for wildfire season. Other companies pivoted to learn to make ventilators. Many businesses offered discounts to front-line workers and first responders. Most companies transitioned to remote work. These actions make a difference.

But there is room for more. Companies have a lot of expertise and resources to contribute. For example, once the vaccine is available, distribution will not be easy. We can and should tap into companies that have figured out how to deliver nearly anything anywhere within a couple days. Vaccine storage may be a challenge because it requires incredibly cold temperatures; we should start identifying who can provide appropriate storage in our communities. Early in the pandemic, we faced serious PPE and ventilator shortages; manufacturing companies should consider if they can help maintain that supply. There are numerous roles for motivated volunteers to help with contact tracing, food banks, meal delivery to seniors. Companies should encourage their employees to help the community. I heard some companies paid volunteers to be poll workers; how incredible it would be if they decided to include pandemic volunteering.

Nobody wants a widespread shutdown. The economy is already teetering. One way to ameliorate the need for a complete lockdown is for wealthy businesses to give the health care system more buffer, more resources. I'm not calling on the small businesses that are struggling - they need all the help they can get, and I am advocating for another economic stimulus package - but on the companies that have the means. It may take a little creativity to figure out whether and how different industries can contribute, but since it looks like the federal and local governments and individual behaviors are insufficient to curb this crisis, we need to think outside the box.