211 Responds to Spike in Calls about Coronavirus
211 is an essential service! Our daily call volume has nearly doubled in the weeks since Alameda County's shelter in place order was issued on March 16.
We are working around the clock to answer calls and provide information and resources to those with questions about the shelter in place order, COVID-19, and the myriad other issues our callers are facing. We have also responded by:
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L
aunching a texting campaign
encouraging people to text “COVID19” to 211211 for information on how the illness spreads, prevention, symptoms and more. Over 1,100 individuals in Alameda County have texted this number to date.
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Adding pre-recorded messages
to our phone line in both English & Spanish so callers can learn basic information about the virus and California's Stay at Home order while they wait to speak with a 211 Phone Resource Specialist.
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Moving 2
11 staff to remote work
where possible, so the service can continue even if the need arises for one or more staff members to be quarantined due to COVID-19.
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Adding a COVID-19 page to our
website
and updating
Facebook
and
Twitter
frequently with emerging information and resources related to the coronavirus.