As we are experiencing a pandemic of a respiratory illness called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), spreading quickly from person to person, the situation continues to pose a serious public health risk. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 and the best way to help prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. This is a challenging time for all of us. Here are some resources that may be helpful as you navigate this crisis.

Continue to Protect Yourself and Others

Know the COVID-19 symptoms and additional steps you may be able to take to help protect yourself, your loved ones, your staff, your volunteers and your customers.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
  • Information for individuals and households
  • Information for businesses and workplaces
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • Information for workers and employers about the evolving coronavirus pandemic

Coping with Stress during COVID-19

For many of us, COVID-19 has disrupted our routines and made everyday activities, such as work and caring for loved ones, challenging. These changes, on top of the general uncertainty around this pandemic, can create feelings of stress, fear and nervousness. These feelings are normal and people typically bounce back after difficult times.

• Review our tips to help you cope with stress and support others.
• Take our online course on Psychological First Aid: Supporting Yourself and Others During COVID-19.

Resources for Your Organization

• For information about resources available from the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA), visit sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
• See if your state or local government has resources available for small businesses. Find contact information at usa.gov/state-tribal-governments.
• The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Health Security has developed a free operational toolkit to help business owners who are considering reopening or expanding their operations to determine their establishments’ risk of transmission of COVID-19 and how to reduce it. The Operational Toolkit consists of 3 parts: an instruction manual; a business risk worksheet; and an assessment calculator.

Training Your Staff for the Unexpected

As an owner, manager or representative of your organization, train your staff to respond to emergencies.

• Visit our Resource Center at readingready.org for tools to create an Emergency Action Plan and ways to engage your workforce to prepare for the unexpected.

Additional Resources

• Visit redcross.org/coronavirus for more information on COVID-19 safety.
• If you live outside the United States, health and safety tips can be found through the World Health Organization and by following your local Red Cross or Red Crescent society’s social media channels (directory).
• Find your local food bank at feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank. Different food banks have different procedures. Call first to check your food bank’s requirements
• Call 211 for community resources and referrals. Or visit the national 211 Call Center Search website to find the 211 information and referral center nearest you
• Visit auntbertha.com for other local resources. Find out if resources are available at your local Salvation Army at salvationarmyusa.org
• Contact the HOPE Crisis Hotline to receive free virtual support from financial experts on mitigating the financial impacts of COVID-19. For assistance call: 1-888-388-HOPE (4673) or go to OperationHOPE.org.
• National Disaster Distress Helpline: Available to anyone experiencing emotional distress related to COVID-19. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to speak to a caring counselor.
  • Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Text TalkWithUs to 66746. Use your preferred relay service to call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. TTY 1-800-846-8517.
  • Spanish Speakers. Call 1-800-985-5990 and press “2“ from the 50 States, text Hablanos to 66746. From Puerto Rico, text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663.
• If you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions such as sadness, depression, anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or someone else, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).