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COVID-19 Relief and Resources
Updated automatically every 5 minutes

“And the people stayed home.

And read books, and

listened, and rested, and

exercised, and made art, and

played games, and learned

new ways of being, and were

still. And listened more

deeply. Some meditated, some

prayed, some danced. Some

met their shadows. And the

people began to think

differently.

And the people healed. And,

in the absence of people
living in ignorant,

dangerous, mindless, and

heartless ways, the earth

began to heal.

And when the danger passed,

and the people joined

together again, they grieved

their losses, and made new

choices, and dreamed new

images, and created new ways

to live and health the earth

fully, as they had been

healed.”

- Kity O’Meara (via Soul Alchemy)

                        


Index (click on section to quickly navigate)

Michigan Dept. of Health & Human Services        5

Communication access        5

Governor Whitmer, Shelter-in-place and more        6

If you feel sick        7

People at a higher risk for severe illness        9

Preparation        10

Shared spaces and community care        10

Hand hygiene, disinfectants, DIY face masks        11

Resources        12

Federal Stimulus (Tax Credit)        12

General        12

Workforce        12

Community-Specific        13

Service workers        14

Gig workers        14

Artists        15

City-Based        16

County-Based        17

Food assistance        17

Parents, guardians and students        19

Recursos Gratuitos Basados en Investigación - Recursos de Aprendizaje en Casa        19

Internet and mobile data        21

Housing        21

Utilities        22

Mental health and well-being        23

Community organizations and updates        25

Hotlines        25

Arts, activities, entertainment        26

Updated April 9th, 2020

The resources within this document are pulled from the CDC, WHO, and public health guidelines as much as possible. We also share information created by communities, such as those who survive with low-resources, live with chronic illness, and other community-care resources. We believe in the expertise of lived experience, and share these community-based resources in the belief that rapidly sharing information is empowering. 

This document does not provide medical advice. Always consult directly with your medical care team on any concerns that you have regarding your health, healthcare decisions, or symptoms.

If you find anything out-of-date, have suggestions or edits to the resources provided, please email them to brayden@transcendthebinary.org.

Michigan Dept. of Health & Human Services

Questions? Reach out to MDHHS

Call the COVID-19 Hotline
7 days a week from 8 am to 5 pm

888.535.6136

Email the COVID-19 response team
answering 7 days a week from 8 am to 5 pm

COVID19@michigan.gov

Regularly updating information

michigan.gov/coronavirus

Coronavirus Tracker - What Michigan Needs to Know

Frequently asked questions - COVID


Communication access

promote access to information

Governor Whitmer, Shelter-in-place and more

information from the Governor

April 9th, 2020 - Shelter in Place (SIP) extended and expanded  - read more

April 9th, 2020 - Gov. Whitmer established COVID Task Force of Racial Inequities - Read more here


March 23rd, 2020 - Gov. Whitmer’s Executive Order for Shelter-in-Place - Read more here.

“Shelter In Place” essentially means, stay home unless you *need* to all still permitted. Otherwise, stay home! The following are examples of “essential” travel and are permitted. Be mindful of distance/space from others, and read the section on hand hygiene, and preparedness.

Questions

[Image Description: Dark blue box with white lettering that reads “STAY HOME.” The “O” in home is a white, block-like depiction of a house. In this white house, a visual representation of the state of Michigan is cut out, leaving the dark blue background to depict the shape. The next line is emphasized by a white box, highlighting the dark blue text that says “Stay safe. Save lives.” The final line of text, in white, reads “Michigan.gov/coronavirus.”]

If you feel sick

from the CDC

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.  

This is not medical advice and you should always consult with your primary care doctor. The information within this document is a compilation of medical information and guidelines available at the time of creation and is subject to change.

[Image Text: Light blue box with text that describes symptoms. Light yellow box with exclamation alert with text that informs about contacting 911. Text as follows: get medical attention immediately if you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19. Warning signs include difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, bluish lips or face. This is not an exhaustive list of symptoms. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning. Call 911 if you have a medical emergency. Notify the operator that you may have COVID-19, if anyone in your shared residence is positive/presumptively positive.]







[image description: How to get tested for COVID-19, from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. For Michigan Residents: “I think I may need to be tested, or have a question about COVID-19.” Contact your health care provider to discuss symptoms. Call the COVID-19 Hotline for questions: 1-888-535-6136 daily 8 am to 5 pm. Michigan.gov/coronavirus

For healthcare providers, contact the local health department in the patient’s county of residence before testing. Healthcare providers also have the ability to request testing from a commercial laboratory.]

##### Most importantly, call your doctor if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

People at a higher risk for severe illness

from the CDC

The full article by the CDC can be viewed here.

Preparation

from various sources

Emotional organization

Developing a plan

Food storage

Community-specific

Shared spaces and community care

from the CDC; QueerCare; and more

Co-residence, shared space, caregivers

This information is beneficial for co-residence, shared space, caregivers, or being near those who are at higher risk for severe illness.

Community care and mutual aid

Doing mutual aid work

Food and resource distribution (mutual aid)

Hand hygiene, disinfectants, DIY face masks

from the CDC and US General Surgeon

Resources

Federal Stimulus (Tax Credit)

Tax credits in the form of checks or direct deposit in the amount of:

No action is needed for qualified individuals to receive this benefit. The payments will be made automatically to people who have filed their 2018 or 2019 tax returns, with no application process required.

If you have received your tax returns from the IRS within the last two years through a direct deposit, you will likely receive your payment electronically to the same account linked with your direct deposit within a month.

General

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENT

University of Michigan’s Pandemic Resource Guide walks through the specific eligibility of various state programs and is a highly recommended supplement to this guide.

Released by Poverty Solutions. (LINK HERE)

Workforce

Unemployment

Workforce organizing

  • ADA and pandemic preparedness in the workplace (link here)
  • Organize in your workplace - complete form for assistance from the DSA
  • Networking with Gig Collective Workers may be beneficial too; see below in Gig/Freelance resources

Childcare for essential workers

Remote jobs that are hiring (this is an unvetted list) - link to google drive

Community-Specific

  • LGBT Older Adults - SAGE’s National Resource Center on LGBT Aging (Link to complete info)
  • Trans Sistas of Color Project (Detroit) - providing care packages, and emergency resources to trans women within Detroit, prioritizing sex workers, contractual laborers, and those within our community most impacted/de-stabilized by COVID-19. Reach out to Lilianna Reyes, Executive Director of TSOC.
  • Black Trans Futures CV19 Fund - This money will be redistributed to Black intersex, non-binary, trans & gender non conforming people that need material support during this pandemic.(link to DONATE)
  • National Center for Trans Equality - guidelines for the trans community, specifically (link here)
  • Chest Binding - important information about binding during COVID-19 pandemic (link here)
  • Sex worker Harm Reduction & Resources - tons of helpful information (link to guide)
  • Resources for Domestic/Sexual Violence Survivors, as well as other financial aid and worker resources
  • Mutual Aid Fund for LGBTQI+ BIPOC Folks - The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the particular vulnerability of queer, transgender, non-binary and/or intersex Black, Indigenous folks and other LGBTQI+ people of color (QTIBIPOC folks). Due to our community disproportionately experiencing a lifelong arc of violence and discrimination, many of our community members are impoverished and housing unstable.Many folks in our community are self-employed or in the service economy, and living with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and/or compromised immune systems. Link to gofundme with information on contacting the organizers.
  • BIPOC - Black Girl Magik - global resource guide (link)
  • Sex worker Harm Reduction & Resources - tons of helpful information (link to guide)
  • Undocumented Communities - comprehensive list of resources for members of our communities/beyond that are undocumented (link here).

Service workers

Restaurant/bar workers

Hospitality

Cosmetology / hair stylists

Retail

Domestic workers |  in-home care workers, nannies, house cleaners

Gig workers

If you work for a large “gig economy” company, check their policy updates.

The policies of large gig economy employers affect millions of workers. Here’s an overview of some of those policy updates (LINK HERE) from the biggest players, in case you or someone you know can benefit from these corporate responses to the pandemic.

  • Postmates announced an “emergency fleet relief” fund to help cover its couriers’ medical expenses
  • Uber is providing two-weeks of compensation (paid sick-leave) to any driver or delivery person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 or has been asked to self-isolate by a public health authority.
  • Like Uber, Lyft will provide funds to drivers diagnosed or asked to self-isolate by a public health authority and can provide documentation for either.
  • Instacart is introducing a new, accrual-based sick-pay policy that covers part-time employees.
  • Organize in your workplace - complete form for assistance from the DSA

Instacart Activist-Workers created the GIG WORKERS COLLECTIVE. This is super rad.

Gig Workers Collective, which formed just last month, aims to help gig workers effectively organize, file grievances and advocate for themselves. (link to website)

  • “We want to be the first responders that, whenever gig workers find out there is a pay cut or some type of issue, they’ll feel comfortable coming to us,” Clarke previously told TechCrunch .This new tool falls into the Collective’s mission. Whether it’s assisting each other with filing for benefits or running errands, the aim is to support each other and let workers decide how they want to use it.
  • Sign up here  for a private one-on-one call with Gig Workers Collective and a member can help you find and access resources in your area. It can be tailored to each individual persons' needs.  For example, we can help you sign up for unemployment or connect you with resources that are specific to your area. We know many people are also feeling isolated right now, and we can offer emotional support.
  • Instacart is planning a strike for additional benefits including $5+ per delivery hazard pay, access to personal protection equipment (PPE), disinfectant supplies, and benefits for immunocompromised workers. (link to article, here)

^^^ Note the GOOD springing from this crisis, as activists organize for workers’ rights / social justice ^^^

Artists

Musician relief funds

Artist  relief funds

Online exhibitions

City-Based

Please also check out this link from MI Bridges for additional, regionally-based resources. ( MI Bridges)

County-Based

Food assistance


General needs: call 2-1-1

Feeding America - Nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries. They help food banks across the country support the most vulnerable communities affected by the pandemic. You can donate here or find your local food bank here.

Income-scarcity

Older Adults

Students

Detroit (all ages)

Pet Food Assistance

Parents, guardians and students

Home school and activities

  • Free Research-Based Education Toolkits - At home learning (link)
  • Crowdsourced among folks who are actually using these resources
  • Virtual tours, etc.
  • Activity ideas
  • Tons of online videos, education materials
  • Online learning games
  • Ideas for online activities for kids (virtual book clubs, etc.)
  • Ideas for movement/physical activity (like a virtual karate class!)
  • Meditation
  • Scholastic, Learn at Home modules- (link)
  • The public educational company Scholastic came up with a way to keep kids busy and learning while school closures keep them home during coronavirus pandemic.
  • Scholastic set up a ‘Learn From Home’ website with four categories: PreK and Kindergarten, Grades 1 and 2, Grades 3-5, and Grades 6+. Each section is already equipped with one week of content for students with 15 additional days on the way
  • Additional educational resources

At-home activities

Childcare for Essential Workers

Support

  • Trevor Project and LGBTQ youth Coping with Covid-19 which includes information, text/chat/hotline
  • Child Mind telehealth and mental health resources for children and adolescents: 212-308-3118 or childmind.org
  • Headspace free access (adults and youth-based meditation audio) - link here
  • How to set healthy boundaries (tips and worksheets) positive psych and healthline
  • Dealing with toxic family members - link
  • How to talk to family and friends about your mental health needs - link
  • How to get alone time when at home with family - link and - link

College students / student loans

  • U-Haul offers 30 days/+ free for storage for students that have to move out of the dorms (LINK)
  • The U.S. Department of Education -

Internet and mobile data

Internet providers

Comcast

Free or low cost internet; you may qualify if you are eligible for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and others. https://www.internetessentials.com/

Internet and cable will not be suspended.

Comcast is providing free Xfinity hotspots, unlimited data, and no disconnects or late fees for all customers experiencing hardship over the next 60 days. Comcast is also offering a free Internet Essentials internet plan for all new customers for 60 days.

Comcast/ Spectrum

Offering free internet to those students without WiFi due to COVID-19 closures. (Link to article)

AT&T

Offering free internet access to new customers for two months and low-income households can continue to subscribe for $10/month. All public WiFi hotspots are open to anyone. AT&T will not terminate service of any customer due to an inability to pay and all late payment fees will be waived. Click here to learn more.

Cell phone providers

Verizon

Waiving late fees for 60 days, as well as providing unlimited data. (link)

T-Mobile

T-Mobile announced Friday that it would be providing unlimited data on all mobile plans for the next 60 days. This includes T-Mobile and Metro customers. It will also be providing an additional 20GB of its mobile hotspot service for the next 60 days. (link)

Sprint

Sprint announced Friday that it'll offer unlimited data for 60 days starting next week. The arrangement will kick in by March 19, and Sprint will also provide customers with an extra 20GB of mobile hotspot data per month for the same time period. (link)

Housing

Utilities

Emergency Relief: Home & Utilities

DTE Energy and Consumers Energy announced on March 16 they will suspend electricity and natural gas shutoffs during the coronavirus pandemic.

This is taken from the U-M resource guide:

Mental health and well-being


[image description: Yellow sticky note with writing that reads “daily quarantine questions: 1.) What am I grateful for today? 2. Who am I checking in on or connecting with today? 3.) What expectations of “normal” am I letting go of today? 4.) How am I getting outside today? 5.) How am I moving my body today? 6. What beauty am I creating, cultivating, or inviting today?]


Mental organization & stress management

Meditation

Tips on Avoiding Burnout

With weeks and months of the coronavirus pandemic ahead, it is important to have down time. Mind recommends continuing to access nature and sunlight wherever possible. Do exercise, eat well and stay hydrated.

Practice the "Apple" technique to deal with anxiety and worries.

  • Acknowledge: Notice and acknowledge the uncertainty as it comes to mind.
  • Pause: Don't react as you normally do. Don't react at all. Pause and breathe.
  • Pull back: Tell yourself this is just the worry talking, and this apparent need for certainty is not helpful and not necessary. It is only a thought or feeling. Don't believe everything you think. Thoughts are not statements or facts.
  • Let go: Let go of the thought or feeling. It will pass. You don't have to respond to them. You might imagine them floating away in a bubble or cloud.
  • Explore: Explore the present moment, because right now, in this moment, all is well. Notice your breathing and the sensations of your breathing. Notice the ground beneath you. Look around and notice what you see, what you hear, what you can touch, what you can smell. Right now. Then shift your focus of attention to something else - on what you need to do, on what you were doing before you noticed the worry. (leverage guided meditations from the section above!)

Transcend the Binary  -- we have used telehealth, HIPAA-compliant software since 2017. All of our services  continue to be available during  shelter-in-place restrictions via video appointments.

Visit transcendthebinary.org to enroll in our free program.

NEW APP!

Our Fitness Advocate, Morgan, has designed at-home exercises for all levels of experience/workout goals.

Get some movement in! (LINK HERE)

Community organizations and updates

Any additional to list?

Hotlines

Recovery, mental health resources

Online meetings

Drug Policy Alliance

[image description: flyer, that states: If you are at home sick and need a meeting, “Pause A While” will host a free conference call for AA meetings. 2 pm Every Day. Dial-in number: 425.436.6360 Access: 422932#; please share this announcement. We also need host volunteers to chair the phone meetings please email pauldart@pauseawhile.org]

Arts, activities, entertainment

Foster dogs/cats during the quarantine! (link here)

Transcend the Binary

Saturdays with multiple segments (Midday Anime, Queer Cine, Pose, Euphoria)

additional events schedules


Check out FB for updates -
link

FB / IG

 @TranscendtheBinary

Promoting fundraiser for Trans Sistas of Color for emergency funds for our sisters in Detroit

CashApp: $LiliannaReyes the Executive Director of TSOC, and Director of Youth Drop-In at Ruth Ellis Center

Request movies/films, or collaborate:

brayden@transcendthebinary.org

Suggestions? Comments? Resources to add?

Let us know.

Email brayden@transcendthebinary.org 

Photo of local activists taken at the Won’t Be Erased Rally for Trans Rights in Detroit - Solidarity

Updated April 9th, 2020