COVID-19

Increase risk for elderly, minorities, and people with disabilities and chronic health conditions

Based on the current evidence, the elderly, minorities, and people with disabilities and chronic health conditions are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. This means that a person with one or more of these conditions who gets very sick from COVID-19 (has severe illness from COVID-19) is more likely to:

• Be hospitalized
• Need intensive care
• Require a ventilator to help them breathe
• Die

In addition:

• Older adults are at highest risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. More than 81% of COVID-19 deaths occur in people over age 65. The number of deaths among people over age 65 is 97 times higher than the number of deaths among people ages 18-29 years.
• A person’s risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases as the number of underlying medical conditions they have increases.
• Some people are at increased risk of getting very sick or dying from COVID-19 because of where they live or work, or because they can’t get health care. This includes many people from racial and ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities.
  • Studies have shown people from racial and ethnic minority groups are also dying from COVID-19 at younger ages. People in racial and ethnic minority groups are often younger when they develop chronic medical conditions and may be more likely to have more than one medical condition.
  • People with disabilities are more likely than those without disabilities to have chronic health conditions, live in shared group (also called “congregate”) settings, and face more barriers in accessing health care. Studies have shown that some people with certain disabilities are more likely to get COVID-19 and have worse outcomes.

Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and taking COVID-19 prevention actions are important. This is especially important if you are older or have severe health conditions or more than one health condition, including those on this list. Learn more about how CDC develops COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. If you have a medical condition, learn more about Actions You Can Take.

Help Us Host a Covid-19 Vaccination Pop-Up

Partner with us to host a Pop-Up Vaccination event for 15 or more individuals or to invite your friends, family, colleagues to an existing event. Pop-up vaccine events are co-organized by a person with a disability. Through grant funding we will be able to offer the co-organizer $200 to offset expenses such as food, lost income or work involved in hosting the event. Of course, we will provide information and connect people who do not wish to host a pop-up vaccination event with other available options.

Recruiting Trusted Disability Champions

Do you want to make a difference to your communities and networks who have not had access to disability news that can make a difference in their lives?

As a disability champion you will be part of a movement to assure that information is being relayed to everyone in our communities by:  

• Sharing information about disability-related resources, services, rights, and opportunities.
• Providing positive perspectives about disability pride and possibilities
• Bringing the voices of people from your communities to mainstream disability-serving programs
• Being part of our growing social platform

Having a disability or experience or expertise in disability is not required. We are looking for individuals who wish to join us in shaping this new initiative Disability Champions who also have disabilities can be paid $20/hour.

Registration Link for Trusted Disability Champion

ECNV Covid-19 initiatives are funded through grants from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities/ Administration for Community Living (HHS) (November 2021 – August 2022) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC/HHS (March 2022-June 2022)

For more information contact us at info@ecnv.org

Communications Access Assistance

• COVID-19 FAQ https://www.virginia.gov/media/vagov/documents/covid19/General-Questions-FAQ-v2_FINAL.pdf
• COVID-19 Resources in ASL from National Association of the Deaf (NAD) https://www.nad.org/2020/03/12/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR3FegSxgJPwnKxY0BJq00gSXk4vc-wZeuAk9-AZol6sDeO64nTiPS4l1jM
• COVID-19 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Video Series – ASL
  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvrp9iOILTQatwnqm61jqFrsfUB4RKh6J
• COVID-19 information in multiple languages
  https://wwwn.cdc.gov/pubs/other-languages?Sort=Lang%3A%3Aasc
• Abilities EXPO TV, RADIO, MOBILE APP https://www.abilities.com/abilities-airwaves.html?utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=abilitiestvapp

Disaster Hotline

Virginia Disability Navigator

• Comcast Announces Comprehensive COVID-19 Response (the possibility of FREE WIFI) to Help Keep Americans Connected to the Internet https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
• Virginia Department of Emergency Management Access and Functional Needs Partners Portal

211 is the most comprehensive source of locally curated social services information in the U.S. and most of Canada. Call 211 or go to 211.org

https://virginianavigator.org/ for Virginia Resources

Coronavirus Preparedness

• Pandemic Preparedness and the ADA https://www.eeoc.gov/facts/pandemic_flu.html

Disability Rights Resources

disAbility Law Center of Virginia:
https://www.dlcv.org/covid19
dLCV-Continues-to-Offer-Services-during-COVID-19-Pandemic.pdf

Disability Health Information & Resources

Disability Community Disaster Hotline
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z6ixvqRKTASZauC_makDfyLBFajfti24Ov5e1Qk-JRM/

Virginia Medicaid is Taking Action Against COVID-19
https://coverva.org/materials/One_Pager_3_24_FINAL.pdf

Medicaid Waiver Flexibility
https://www.medicaid.gov/state-resource-center/disaster-response-toolkit/federal-disaster-resources/?entry=54035

Limited waiver of HIPAA
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hipaa-and-covid-19-limited-hipaa-waiver-bulletin-508.pdf

Care.com
https://www.care.com/

Personal Assistant Services ECNV
Contact: ruchikal@ecnv.org
https://www.ecnv.org/pas

Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Personal Assistance Services (PAS) program
https://www.vadars.org/cbs/pas.htm

Housing Resources

Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program Eligibility

VIRGINIA RENT AND MORTGAGE RELIEF PROGRAM (RMRP) Overview

Utilities/Internet Assistance

Energy Share, COVID-19 information

Internet Options for Low-Income Individuals

More Internet Options for Low-Income Individuals

Comcast–Internet Essentials service
Comcast’s Internet Essentials service is offered at $9.95/month for those who qualify.

To qualify you must receive one of 5 qualifying benefits- eligible for Medicaid or SSI or SNAP or TANF or Veterans benefits. Connect on the above link to apply or call 1-855-846-8376 (call volumes are high, so applying online is best).

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, there is also a promotion going on that provides for two months free for everyone approved prior to 12/31/20. (Regular rates apply after that.)

Mental Health Resources

CDC Mental Health Support and COVID-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fcoping.html

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255

Open Path Collective (Non-Profit providing low-cost therapy services for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured)
www.openpathcollective.org

SAMHSA National Hotline:
1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Fairfax County Community Services Board:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/mental-health

Arlington County Behavioral Health:
https://health.arlingtonva.us/behavioral-healthcare/mental-health/

Loudoun County Mental Health Services:
https://www.loudoun.gov/1333/Mental-Health-Services

Alexandria City Adult Mental Health:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/dchs/adultservices/default.aspx?id=50420

Virtual Support Groups

Developmental Support Associates (DSA) is offering a virtual family support group for local families who care for children, youths, and young adults with developmental and/or behavioral challenges. The immediate goal is to help families collaborate with professionals and with each other in order to break out of isolation and share experiences, thought, feelings, and novel strategies for promoting personal and social growth.
Meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 – 6:30pm.
https://thearcofnova.org/virtual-parent-support-group/

Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) offers a support group for parents of adult children with developmental disabilities.
Meetings will be held on Wednesdays 10am – 11:30am.
Facilitator: Lori Kolle, LCSW-C
Video conference link will be sent the day before the group. REGISTER HERE

Work and Financial

Promoting Financial Resiliency During COVID-19
https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/financial-resiliency-tips.pdf

Department of Labor
https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus

Apply for Unemployment
http://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed/Claimant-Handbook/Claimant-Handbook/Applying-for-Benefits

Apply for Disability Benefits
https://www.ssa.gov/disability/

IRS
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus

Economic Injury Disaster Loan
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1504

Job Openings
Honeydo.Today – Handyman, housekeeping, landscaping
https://form.jotform.us/90875432842160

Food Resources

VA Food Banks
https://vafoodbanks.org/

Arlington Restaurant Status
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h3ScDfNDf_5ct-E1BlTBIKg0xo3n_f_A8nyN_WQrC-w/edit#gid=0

Neighbor 2 Neighbor Fairfax County

In response to the increasing needs of COVID-19, Fairfax County Health Department Neighbor to Neighbor Program has launched a grocery shopping and pharmacy pick-up service for county residents age 60+ who need this service.

To Request Shopping and Pharmacy Pick-Up Contact
Fairfax County Aging, Disability & Caregiver Resource Line
703-324-7948

Instacart
https://www.instacart.com/store/safeway/storefront

Amazon Prime Now
https://primenow.amazon.com/

Giant-Peapod
https://www.peapod.com/

Nextdoor – connect with neighbors for help
https://nextdoor.com/

Arlington Food, Financial and Medical Assistance
https://health.arlingtonva.us/covid-19-coronavirus-updates/food-financial-and-medical-assistance/

Fairfax County Food Resources
https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/2020/03/18/find-food-resources-in-fairfax-county-during-covid-19-emergency/

Food for Others
https://www.foodforothers.org/neighborhood-sites/

Loudoun County Needs Assistance
https://www.loudoun.gov/5327/COVID-19-Needs-Assistance

Loudoun Hunger Relief
https://www.loudounhunger.org/

Interactive Map on focused on restaurants, grocery stores and food assistance.
https://covid19-geohub-loudoungis.hub.arcgis.com/

Alexandria Resources to Meet Basic Needs
https://www.alexandriava.gov/dchs/economicsupport/default.aspx?id=114166

Arlington Resources to Meet Basic Needs ( Food, Rental, Utilities and Medical)
https://publicassistance.arlingtonva.us/clinical-coordination-program/

**Check with your local faith communities regarding food banks and volunteers to drop off groceries

Media

New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/16/world/live-coronavirus-news-updates.html

Wall Street Journal
https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/coronavirus?mod=theme_coronavirus-ribbon

The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/coronavirus/

Fairfax County
https://www
.fairfaxcounty.gov/chairman/covid-19

Self-Care | Online Hobbies and Classes

American Association for Health and Disability Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw8fXs3gMADVpv6pWI45kmPPY9kQhtAkq

Key Family Caregiver Recommendations
https://nashp.org/inventory-of-key-family-caregiver-recommendations/

DPI Adaptive Fitness Online Classes
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/dpi-adaptive-fitness-11820321078

ASL video on how to make a face mask (no sew)
https://youtu.be/t9cnxxsEKpk

Wash Your Hands Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnJ1wvlIcbs&t=4s+

Stop the Spread of Germs PDF
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/stop-the-spread-of-germs.pdf

Preparing for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Influenza:
Free Online Training & Resources
https://www.relias.com/topic/coronavirus

Free Online Courses from top universities
http://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses

Support for Caregivers

If you’re caring for an older adult, check out SeniorNavigator.org’s huge library of resources and information for caregivers.
If you’re the parent of a child with a disability, you can find caregiving and family support resources on disAbilityNavigator.org.
If you’re a military caregiver, try the services listed on VeteransNavigator.org.
If you’re a long-distance or working caregiver, technology can make your life easier. Get customized recommendations from the Caregiver Tech Tool Finder.
If you are a Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus member, call your care coordinator or member services phone line for support.

Relief Funds

IRS CoronaVirus Tax Relief
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus

Northern Virginia Family Service
https://www.nvfs.org/covid-19-emergency-assistance-program/

Transportation

WMATA UPDATES
https://www.wmata.com/about/news/METRO-SERVICE-FURTHER-REDUCED-TO-SUPPORT-ESSENTIAL-TRIPS-ONLY.cfm#main-content

https://wmata.com/about/news/covid-19-public-information.cfm#main-content
https://wmata.com/service/status/details/COVID-19.cfm#main-content
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/news
https://www.dashbus.com/dash-news
https://www.arlingtontransit.com/

Virginia Railway Express
https://www.vre.org/service/schedule/

Reach-A-Ride
Website: reacharide.org
Telephone: 855-REACH-A-RIDE (855-732-2427)

Reach A Ride provides individuals who require transportation assistance with information about the transportation providers in their area. If you would quickly like to know who provides transportation services, visit reacharide.org or all 855-732-2427 to find contact information so that you can reach out to your provider for assistance.

Advocacy

NCIL ADVOCACY MONITOR – Let YOUR voice be heard!!
https://advocacymonitor.com/
https://www.ilru.org/resources-covid-19

Weekly Video Series on Disability Policy – Tuesdays With Liz
https://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=967

Activities for Kids at Home

12 famous museums your kids can tour from your living room
https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

Virtual Story Time via the Brooklyn Public Library
https://www.bklynlibrary.org/event-series/Virtual-Programming

Headspace for kids
https://www.headspace.com/meditation/kids

The Kids Should See This: Smart videos for curious minds of all ages
https://thekidshouldseethis.com/

Storyline Online: Free children’s literacy resource featuring the world’s best storytellers reading books aloud
https://www.storylineonline.net/?fbclid=IwAR3RSbIwfS0ZCVTtDt_4VOZcmaloZ4E9Rn-4gC_Fl9FIXacawgyFx_-lZ5A

For kids who like to get up and moving throughout the day: GoNoodle, Good Energy at Home
https://www.gonoodle.com/good-energy-at-home-kids-games-and-videos/

Free audiobooks for kids
https://www.storynory.com/

Unique Ideas to Get the Help and Assistance You Need

In a time of crisis, it can be important to think outside the box. We realize that stress and concern can also limit your ability to come up with solutions for yourself and your families. Some staff have taken time to list additional ways they too are handling issues as people with disabilities themselves.

Consider using Zoom / WebEx or any other telecommunication platforms to conduct Caregiver Interviews. This will permit you to see the person and interact face to face and have some assurances on who you are hiring. Zoom and similar communications platforms have free options and some are even waving fees when you sign up for a few weeks, a month or longer. You can use Zoom on the phone in addition to any computer.

Check your doctor / primary care providers website – some may have only recently come up with Telehealth options and are rolling them out just now. Even if you are feeling well, they can answer questions for you remotely. They may also have some specific ideas related to your unique chronic challenges and health support / care needs

Have you created an emergency backup plan if your primary caregiver were to become ill? Is there a friend or neighbor that you are close with that you can ask early on to assist you with some of your needs? It will be important that you not wait until the last minute and your current caregiver may be able to train a friend or other person with demonstrations on how to best assist you and help you with things that might be complex.

Nextdoor.com is a neighborhood site of your neighbors and community residents in your neighborhood. You can sign up for free and some communities have neighbors listing where they are and what stores they may be going to and often offer to pick up items for others if they need it. Using Nextdoor will help you find someone that is already in your local area and who wants to assist you.

211 – you can call or text as they will give you additional information about more services and programs in your community. They are also getting calls every day and thus may be creating news, vasts lists of programs and assistance that were not previously heard or addressed until recently
Call 311 – a non-emergency phone number that people can call in many cities to find information about services, make complaints, or report problems in the community such as suspect activity and crimes without tying up the 911 number.