Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

A guest post by Ally Dowds, a Health & Human Services Research Specialist at the Boston Public Library.

Last Updated May 19, 9:30 a.m. Due to the rapidly changing status of the COVID-19 coronavirus, parts of this post may be out of date. For the latest information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control’s coronavirus page. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's coronavirus page and the Boston Public Health Comission's coronavius page will be kept up to date and will include location-specific information you may need to know. The BPL has separate posts on help for small businesses during this time, unemployment resources, and mutual aid organizations. 

Helplines:

• Sign up for text message alerts
• Send COVIDMA to 888-777/Envíe COVIDMAESP al 888-777
• Call 2-1-1 or use live chat for non-emergency questions and help
• Nursing Home Family Resource Line/617-660-5399, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week.

Meal Sites:

• City of Boston's map of food resources for youth and adults
• Location listings for Ethos' Community Cafe sites and grab and go meals for older adults

In hopes of answering questions you may have and calming some anxieties about the coronavirus, we have put together a list of resources below from reputable organizations that can provide you with up-to-date information.

Reopening Phases and Plan in Massachusetts

As of May 18, 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a comprehensive plan to safely reopen the Massachusetts economy, get people back to work, and ease social restrictions while minimizing the health impacts of COVID-19. The above webpage includes:

• Reopening MA Report
• General Business Guidelines
• Outline of the Four-Phase Approach
• Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces
• Additional Guidance and much more

What is COVID-19?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, causes respiratory illness in people. The virus was first reported from Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019, and was declared a global health pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Click on the organizational links below for information on symptoms, testing information, prevention and coping methods, and the most recent updates on state and national statistics and response.

Websites:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC is a federal public health institute of the United States. It offers current information about:

• symptoms,
• testing,
• prevention and treatment,
• steps to take if you think you are sick, and
• how to disinfect your home if someone is sick 
• information for populations who are at higher risk such as people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and COVID-19 in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups

The CDC has frequent updates on new cases in the United States, risk assessments by country, and information for travel and travelers. Helpful sections include posters on how to prevent the spread of the virus within your community and a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) page answering all of your questions.

The World Health Organization (WHO)

The WHO provides:

• advice for health workers,
• instructional videos, advice for the public, and downloadable posters and graphics,
• tips for getting your workplace ready, and much more.

It also features myth buster graphics such as the one below to stop the spread of misinformation, that put people and their communities at greater risk. If you would like to donate to the COVID-19 Solidarity Fund to help support the response to this pandemic, you can do so at this link, opens a new window found on the WHO website.

Johns Hopkins University of Medicine

Johns Hopkins experts in global public health, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness have been directly involved in the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about:

• a new screening test, opens a new window developed at the university
• guidance from Johns Hopkins about social distancing, opens a new window
• listening to episodes from its Public Health On Call, opens a new window podcast
• viewing the COVID-19 interactive map that is tracking COVID-19 cases and updated in real time

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)

For the latest on monitoring cases in Massachusetts, the DPH has a section on quarantine and monitoring. This state government website also includes:

• information about personal protective equipment (PPE), distribution, donations, and requests,
• COVID cases by city/town,
• resources for individuals and families on how to help stop the spread of misinformation and learn how to prepare and plan for public health emergencies, and
• Information about testing at the State Public Health Laboratory.

Printable fact sheets are available in various languages. 

Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC)

BPHC is in daily communication with the CDC, Massachusetts DPH, City departments and community partners. Its website provides:

• a timeline of COVID-19,
• FAQs, and
• fact sheets and posters in six different languages
• Boston Case Numbers
• What you need to know about the effect of COVID-19 in Boston
  • MBTA schedules
  • Closures

For more information, call the Mayor's Healthline at 617-534-5050 or Toll-Free: 1-800-847-0710

Vital Village

The Vital Village Learning Community is led by a group of healthcare practitioners from Boston Medical Center, as well as data analysts & researchers from Boston University. Its interactive COVID-19 Resource Map highlights related resources in Boston, such as meal sites and food pantries, specialty grocery stores, COVID-19 testing sites, diaper & hygiene kits, and WIC approved stores. This map is just one example of this organization's many resources created by its partners and community members.

Children, Youth & Families

According to the CDC, COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads. Please find FAQs about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and caring for young children by clicking on this link. The CDC also provides guides for how to get your household ready to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as well as posters on handwashing for children and teens.

Emergency Childcare

As a result of Governor Baker's March 23rd emergency order, all childcare providers are closed until June 29. To support vulnerable children and the children of families designated as "COVID-19 Essential Workforces," who have no other options, the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) has opened emergency drop-in care programs throughout the state. Find more information here. Approved Exempt Emergency Child Care programs can be viewed here.

Talking to Your Kids about COVID-19

Need help talking to your kids about COVID-19? Staff at the National Public Radio used interviews from various public health and social work experts to create a comic about what kids may want to know. You can see a snippet below:

Massachusetts Coalition for LGBTQ Youth

The Massachusetts Coalition for LGBTQ Youth has a comprehensive list of resources that includes frequently updated information from partners such as BAGLY, Boston GLASS, and Fenway Health. The resources for LGBTQIA+ Youth during COVID-19 include food and meal sites, mental health & support, virtual chat spaces, financial relief, housing, and healthcare access and information.

Mental Health

The terms outbreak, epidemic, global health emergency, and quarantine often can be trigger words for many people creating anxiety, depression, fear, and distrust.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created a Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks fact sheet that describes common signs of stress, how to recognize when to get help, and advice for coping.

Beware of scams!

The WHO has a dedicated page listing potential scams seeking to steal money or sensitive information from people. Improve your cyber security by reading the WHO’s information and tips.

If you have questions, look for answers at one of these resources, beware of scams, and wash your hands (for at least 20 seconds)!