United Way COVID-19 Response COVID-19 Response: Invisible Problems

I have friends who do gig work and they do not know how to access unemployment or government benefits.

Since they deal with trash, included discarded masks and gloves, I think the sanitation workers in my county should have PPE.

From a friend in Denver:
All our Denver libraries are closed and I even saw police tap around the drop box to return books. I'm usually a library gal when it comes to reading materials, but am fortunate that I could place an order for a few books this weekend off amazon. What's being done to safely promote free access to books and learning materials? I got an email today from a small town library I was part of once and... more »

Many families* get tax relief for covering the cost of childcare through Dependent Care Flexible Savings Accounts (DCFSAs) which cover eligible expenses like daycare, afterschool care, and summer camp. During open enrollment each year, workers can decide how much to save pre-tax to these accounts based on their expected childcare expenses for the upcoming year. Now that most children are home indefinitely and the economic... more »

Although this is a huge issue in the U.S, how do we support undocumented workers during this time? Many are on the frontlines of the COVID Response but are receiving little to no financial assistance. They are also being exposed to the virus at an alarming rate.

Immigrant communities of color have been particularly hard-hit by Covid-19 because these immigrants often have low-paying jobs where social distancing is impossible and they cannot afford not to work. Sadly, these immigrants face deeper risk under the federal government's new "public charge" immigration rule that went into effect in late February as the virus began to spread. The public charge rule has left many immigrants... more »

The United States has an infamously disjointed election system with each state, county, and even sometimes individual cities having different election processes. As we continue to face down this pandemic, election day nears ever closer and we need to act decisively, and at a large scale, to help voters register for absentee or vote-by-mail (VBM) ballots and understand how they work. Countless studies have shown that voting... more »

As of July, 20, 2020, 17 states require voters to submit their absentee application in person or by mail. These states do not accept absentee applications via Email, Fax, or by phone. During this pandemic, some voters may not be comfortable going to their local election office to apply for an absentee ballot because they are afraid of contracting COVID-19.

So, this leaves voters the option of mailing an absentee application... more »

COVID creates a few issues surrounding in-person voting. First, it makes voting unsafe due to the close proximity of voting lines as well as the extended period of interaction while waiting in those lines. It also is an issue considering the large number of people that vote at each polling location. This will discourage voters form making it to the polls. Secondly, it generally makes lines much longer. With cities and... more »

Many of our volunteers are seniors who are the most vulnerable segment of our society. In our Meals On Wheels program, both the clients and the volunteers were threatened by increased exposure to the virus.

We put out a call for more volunteers and redesigned our delivery system to keep the daily deliveries going.

We have dozens of other volunteer programs that had to be scaled-down or canceled altogher.

School district plans for back to school can be very complex and will change as situations develop in our communities. Support is needed for families who do not speak English as a first language, to ensure they can read plans and ask questions in their native language. Especially those who have school-aged children can experience significant challenges in working during the day when school plans include hybrid or distance... more »

Very hard to find people who want to caregivers?aides?attendants for people with disabilities. This service is reimbursed through Medicaid. That limits what we can pay. With an increase of minimum wage headed our way and no state funding increases these services is in jeopardy.

Lock-down and self-isolation has led to a steep increase in people using alcohol and drugs. The increased gun violence has a connection to the drug and alcohol problem. Patients in need of help have no resources. Sadly, many treatment centers and clinics treating patients have cut down their services and/or patients are hard-pressed to reach the few clinics providing treatment.

We are seeing increased incidence of drug... more »

We've had a resurgence in our community's want to hold marches, rallys, film screenings, voter education and registration events, to speak at City Council and School Board meetings and hold social events to bring communities together, in celebration of Black Lives, and demand for their equity in a myriad of contexts.

But people are hesitant to come out, and are taxed to even participate from home, due to health risks... more »

One of my staff members recently shared a story with me of one of our program participants that was in active labor and sitting in the Emergency Room for hours before being admitted to labor and delivery. She was approximately 24 weeks pregnant and unfortunately prematurely delivered and lost twins. Mom went to the ER with complaints of not feeling well and a fever. She explained that she was pregnant and provided her... more »