Covid-19 Resources
Medical Information and Statistics
We can all contribute to protecting the health and safety of our friends and neighbors, especially those most at risk, during this time. Social distancing and wearing masks when we go out in public are critical in continuing to flatten the curve.
The state of Illinois has a dedicated website where you can find a great deal of the information about how the virus is affecting our state and what the state is doing to combat the effects on individuals and communities.
Information about symptoms, testing, and treatment from the CDC can be found here.
The Illinois Department of Public Health as well as the Kane County and McHenry County Health Departments provide further updates and resources.
Seniors
People over the age of 60 are considered to be at a higher risk for developing severe consequences from COVID-19 and need to take extra precautions during this time. There are some helpful resources available from the Kane Senior Council.
Special Grocery Hours for Elderly and Immunocompromised
Essential Workers
Our essential workers from medical professionals to grocery store employees to delivery drivers are on the frontlines every day. If you are one of these people, make sure that you are taking care of yourself physically and emotionally through this time.
If your workplace is not following guidelines and mandates, reach out to appropriate reporting channels at the workplace and OSHA and your state elected officials.
Childcare information for essential workers can be found here.
Education
Teachers have been rising to the challenge of a rapid switch to e-learning with the support of school district administrative staff who continue to work hard to ensure that even during this pandemic, students are receiving quality instruction.
For all of our educational heroes, a little reminder that these are extraordinary times and it is important to keep it all in perspective.
If you’re looking for some extra online oomph for your lessons, this source and this exhaustive list have you covered. TedEd can help you out with engaging educational videos. And for high school teachers, there is this additional list of resources for teaching through the stay-at-home order.
For Parents
Parents who suddenly find themselves overseeing their child(ren)’s learning time are overwhelmed with the task. Many are also working from home or caring for multiple kids and the plethora of schedules and needs that come with that. It is important to remember that we will all get through this and sometimes letting go is okay. Some tips to make the most of e-learning might help.
There are some great resources online for families to utilize during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as a survival guide, and the ever-trusted PBS to help us get through this.
Tutors
If your child is struggling to follow their online instruction and their teacher is unable to assist, there are some university students who are ready to help.
Making Sense of the News
Younger children may seem unaware, but they are often picking up more than we realize. Here are a few resources for helping them understand what is going on and why their world seems to have been turned upside down overnight.
Preschool Resources
The Harvard Graduate School of Education put together this list of resources specifically with the preschooler in mind.
Elementary Resources
If you are looking for extra engagement for your elementary-aged child, We Are Teachers has compiled this excellent list of online learning resources.
Middle and High School Resources
We Are Teachers has put together a list specifically for middle and high school students.
College Resources
College students have their own set of fears and worries as they cope with what is happening, as well as the uncertainty of what the coming year(s) will look like as a result. If you are helping a college student through this time, here is some FAQ help, emotional guidance, and financial guidance.
Mental Health
The health scare of a pandemic, combined with the related financial stress and having our normal routines upended is a lot to deal with all at once. It’s perfectly normal if you are not doing okay with this. Here are some tips for taking care of your mental health.
Governor Pritzker recently announced the formation of Call 4 Calm, an emotional support text line. Illinoisans can text “TALK” to 552020 or “HABLAR” for service in Spanish to the same number 552020 and they will be connected with a mental health professional.
Both NAMI and NAMI Illinois are offering tips and services to help address people’s mental health needs during this time.
Working from home may present its own mental health challenges for those who are not used to it. Here is some information to help make it run a little smoother for you.
Many counselors are offering teletherapy during this time. We recommend checking with your policy to find out how teletherapy is being covered.
Domestic Abuse
While the stay-at-home order is necessary to protect the health of as many Illinoisans as possible, if you are living in a home where you are not safe, please reach out for help.
Mutual Ground in Aurora and the Community Crisis Center in Elgin are both taking calls and providing emergency shelter.
Unemployment
If you have lost your job and are needing to apply for unemployment benefits, you should start here. Governor Pritzker has been working to increase the capacity of IDES in order to do the best possible job of meeting the increased demand at this time.
If you have more questions about unemployment, the Washington Post has put together a helpful guide here.
If you are looking for a job, there are a number of essential services positions available in our area.
Food Insecurity
If you are in need of food, you can find a list of local food pantries in Kane County and McHenry County.
Small Business
If you own a small business that has been affected, you may be eligible for loans to help you get through this time. The Small Business Administration has a guide to those loans as does the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). You may qualify for the IL Small Business Emergency Loan Fund if your annual revenue is under $3 million and you have fewer than 50 employees.
While the Paycheck Protection Program has run out of funds, the Senate is working on providing additional funds soon.
The New York Times also has a helpful FAQ guide for Coronavirus Relief.
Volunteering
There are a number of opportunities to contribute through service or donations to help our neighbors get through this difficult time:
Raising Kane – Give and Receive Assistance in Kane County
Shop for Holmstad Residents – Everything is paid for and delivered, you just do the shopping
Lazarus House – Monetary and Meal donations needed
The Community Crisis Center – Urgently needed items can be ordered on Amazon
Kane Senior Council – Sign up to help deliver for Meals on Wheels
Mutual Ground – Monetary and Meal donations needed
Hesed House – Urgent Needs List and Monetary donations needed
Northern IL Food Bank – Volunteers needed to sort food
Versiti Blood Bank – Blood donations are urgently needed and can be done safely
IL HELPS and Serve IL – State of IL volunteer opportunities
Together We Rise – Help foster kids who are displaced by the closing of colleges
Meals for Healthcare workers:
Diversions
If you are looking for things to do while staying at home, here are a few fun distractions:
Support these local musicians and enjoy their mini-concerts online
Tour some of the world’s best museums from your sofa
Share your COVID-19 pandemic story with the Illinois State Museum
Put together a time capsule to stash away the memories of this strange time
Enjoy virtual tours of the National Parks