Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As of Thursday, there are
6,202
confirmed COVID-19 cases in Colorado with 226 deaths. In Denver, there are 1,076 confirmed cases with 35 deaths. Please stay home.
The spread of COVID-19 in Colorado and resulting stay-at-home orders have forced thousands of businesses to close and lay off workers. Over the past three weeks there have been
127,393 unemployment claims filed
- with 46,065 filings just last week.
None of us were prepared for this.
Without a steady income,
I know many of you are frightened and concerned about paying for your next meal. You are not alone.
Thankfully, organizations and individuals throughout the state are stepping up to help families struggling with food insecurity
.
Hunger Free Colorado
has really stepped up
for
Coloradans in need. The Food Resource Hotline at (855) 855-4626 is open Monday - Friday, from 8 AM - 4:30 PM and will help connect you to vital resources. Call to find school meals, food pantries, and information on SNAP and WIC enrollment. For more food resources, click
here
.
To make sure that no student goes hungry, Denver Public Schools has expanded its free meal program for students and families. DPS now has a total of 24 food sites
and
is offering delivery. F
or a list of distribution sites,
click here
.
A number of Colorado companies are providing meals for healthcare workers, restaurant employees and others facing food insecurity.
Restaurant
Workers Relief, a partnership with Safta Restaurant and Makers Mark,
is providing to-go meals and household supplies for recently laid-off restaurant workers every day at the Source Hotel from 3-5PM.
Cherry Cricket
will donate a meal for every one it sells. There are too many initiatives to list, but you can find more here.
Across Colorado, the restaurant industry is stepping up in a big way. Show your support by ordering take out or purchasing a gift card.
Let's continue to support one another through this uncertain time. We will get through this. Together.
Boldly Forward,
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Stay Informed
with reliable, up-to-date information on COVID19.
For general questions, call (303) 389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911.
For written answers in English, Spanish (Español), Mandarin (普通话), and more, email COHELP@RMPDC.org.
|
Mayor Hancock has
extended Denver's Stay at Home Order until April 30th.
Click
here
for the full text of Denver's public health order, including exemptions. Find frequently asked questions here.
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COVID-19 By The
Numbers
Colorado: 547 new cases were reported on Wednesday for a total of
6,202
cases and 226 deaths. [
Source
]
United States: The largest hotspots are New York (159,937
cases), New Jersey (51,027 cases), and Michigan (20,220 cases). [
Source
]
Global: 4
countries reported more than 5,000 new cases on Wednesday: United Kingdom (5,491), Germany (5,633), Spain (6,278), and the United States (31,935). After a large outbreak, South Korea has been reporting less than 100 new cases per day. [
Source
]
|
 Economic Relief
President Tr
ump approved Colorado's request for a
major disaster declaration
. This declaration allows the state and tribes, along with some local governments and nonprofits, to receive federal money to help with COVID-19.
Governor Polis has taken the following executive actions:
Allowing homeowners to
split their property tax payments over April and May.
For Individuals and Businesses in Denver:
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*Additional COVID-19 Updates from the Governor
Updated 4/8 at 1:30 PM
*Governor Polis
extends emergency disaster declaration for 30 more days.
The Department of Corrections will have greater flexibility to manage the prison population in order to reduce the likelihood of an outbreak behind bars. [Full text]
Certain auto insurance requirements for restaurant delivery drivers have been lifted (Full text).
Governor Polis' statewide
"Stay-at-Home" order will last through April 26th. To read frequently asked questions about this order click
here. [
En Español]
Note: To report gatherings or business that are not complying with the stay-at-home order, please contact your county public health department (Denver) or go to the Attorney General's website.
Gov. Polis launched the state's Innovation Response Team (IRT) to ramp up a mass testing program for COVID-19 and develop alternatives for critical medical supplies in short supply.
Suspension of elective and nonessential surgeries and medical procedures, to free up medical devices and personal protective equipment for medical staff.
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Federal Response
$2 Trillion Aid Package
Direct Payments.
*Direct deposits will start to drop next week. If the IRS doesn't haver your bank account info, paper checks will start coming week of May 4th.
Single adults with Social Security numbers who are U.S. residents and make $75,000 or less will
receive
$1,200, plus $500 for each child 16 and younger. Individuals making more than $99,000 or couples making more than $198,000 are not eligible.
Payments will be delivered automatically to most Americans who file individual federal income tax returns. When available, electronic direct deposit will be used in place of mailing a physical check. If you haven't yet filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019, you may want to do so quickly so that the IRS has your up-to-date information on file. Find an FAQ here.
Expanding unemployment benefits. More than doubles the average unemployment benefit by adding $600 to the weekly benefit. It will also allow self-employed and part time workers to receive benefits.
PERA. Waives the penalty for coronavirus-related distributions up to $100,000 during 2020, along with other changes.
For an F.A.Q on direct payments, unemployment and the rest of the bill, click
here.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Signed on March 18th. To read more on what this Act includes, click here.
T
he
Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental
Signed on March 6th.
See what this $8.3 billion package includes
here
.
For more information on the federal response to COVID-19, click
here.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Updated 4.7 at 1:10 PM
Governor Polis
announced that China is sending Colorado 10,000 masks.
Many of you asked for additional information about PPE. We've added this section and will update it as new
data becomes available.
|
Type of PPE
|
Received
|
Need
|
| N95 Masks |
220,010 |
2,000,000 |
| Surgical Masks |
517,000 |
4,460,000 |
| Face Shields |
100,232 |
880,000 |
| Surgical Gowns |
100,140 |
720,000 |
| Gloves |
504,000 |
4,300,000 |
| Ventilators |
0 |
10,000 |
To donate Personal Protective Equipment. If you have small quantities of supplies to contribute, between 1-25 boxes of personal protective equipment, donate these supplies to your
local public health department
,
local community health center
, community clinic, or local hospital. If you have more than 25 boxes, or the pieces of larger equipment such as anesthesia machines or ventilators, fill out
THIS FORM
.
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Connect for Health CO Open!
Updated 4.4 at 1:30 PM
COVID-19 testing is free if you're uninsured, but if you test positive and have a serious case, you may incur large costs for treatment without insurance.
If you are uninsured, consider signing up to protect your health and safety during this epidemic.
Get coverage today.
Note: you have 60 days to get health insurance anytime you lose job-based health coverage.
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Resources for Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
Updated 4/4 at 1:45 PM
Not everyone has a safe environment to "stay at home."
If it's not safe for you to remain home and you can't find another safe place to stay, please contact the
National Domestic Violence Hotline
: (800) 799-7233. If you are unable to speak safely you can visit
thehotline.org
or text LOVEIS to 22522.
If you or someone you know is in an unsafe living arrangement, please call
Safe Shelter at 303-772-0432.
If you are in danger, call 911.
Child Abuse and Neglect
Reports of child abuse have dropped drastically since the stay-at-home order was implemented. Service providers worry that abuse and neglect is still happening but going unreported due to school closures. The Office of Children, Youth and Families urges everyone to keep an eye on children and teens in your neighborhood and report neglect or abuse to this hotline: 1-844-CO-4-KIDS (1-844-264-5437)
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Resources for Seniors
Updated 4.2 at 11:50 AM
Senior shopping hours. Stores are dedicating hours for seniors,
click here.
Show our seniors some love and support.
Read
7 ways to boost your loved one's morale here (provided by AARP).
Transportation
for seniors. The Denver Regional Mobility and Access Council has transportation options for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Older Adult Resource Directory. An extensive directory of contact information, including benefits, emergency services, meals and healthcare.
Food pantry schedule. A listing of food pantries in the Denver Metro area.
Denver Regional Council of Governments Aging and Disability Resources. A collection of resources including guides to in-home healthcare, transportation, and legal assistance.
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*Rent, Utilities & More
Updated 4.9 at 11:43 AM
T-Mobile has announced that they will not terminate service because of inability to pay and will waive ate fees.
1) N
ot terminate service to customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by COVID-19.
2) W
aive late fees caused by circumstances related to COVID-19.
*AAA Colorado will now provide free emergency roadside assistance for all first responders and healthcare workers traveling to and from their duties anywhere across Colorado. This will last for the duration of the governor's "Stay-at-Home" order. Read more here.
*Lyft has announced that they will be providing free scooter rides in Denver for medical personnel, first responders and those in transit. To get started, critical business employers can email HeroScooters@Lyft.com to enroll their employees in this new program.
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Small Businesses
Updated 4.2 at 1:30 PM
The Coronavirus Small Business Loan Program: What You Need To Know, read
here.
Colorado has opened applications for the Colorado COVID Relief Fund,
which provides small business relief funds up to $25,000.
Denver businesses who have had to temporary close, lay off staff, or are struggling to pay rent and utilities, can
apply for grants
up to $7,500.
To apply,
click here
.
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Employment
Updated 4.7 at 1 PM
Layoff / separations assistance, information and
resources.
Finding New Work
Health care facilities, grocery stores, package delivery companies, and companies offering online products for delivery are hiring. Register here
for more details.
Connecting Colorado state database for job seekers.
For Artists
*
Apply for grants from the Colorado Artist Relief Fund, up to $1,000.
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Mental Health
Updated 3.31 at 2:25 PM
Mental Health Colorado has updated its
resource page
with useful information for those who are struggling with mental health or substance use challenges. You can also find COVID-19 updates and tips on coping
here.
Mental Health Colorado is also currently providing services through telemental health and are accepting new clients. If you are interested in receiving services, please call 303-504-7900.
Colorado Crisis Services. If you are more seriously concerned about your own mental health or that of someone close to you, call 1-844-493-8255 or text "TALK" to 38255.
Denver Therapy Match. Search for Denver providers
here.
Open Path.
For additional reduced rate
options
.
Psychology Today. Search for statewide providers here.
|
At Home Learning & Activities
Updated 4.8 at 1:30 PM
DPS has family and student
resources for Pre-K through 12th grade including at-home
activities for art, math, reading / writing, science and more.
*
Virtually Denver includes dozens of ways to experience arts and culture from home, including Denver museums, music, and performing arts.
The Denver Public Library has free online resources including books, movies, music, story time, and other programs.
Virtual Field Trips including over 500 museums, Yellowstone National Park, and the Great Wall of China.
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Assistance for Students
and Families
Updated 4.7 at 12 PM
Meal Assistance
Free breakfast, lunch, and dinner. DPS students and families can receive free meals at sites throughout the city. Breakfast and lunch are available from 11 AM - 12:30 PM, Monday - Friday, and dinner is available from 3:30 - 5:30 PM. For a list of distribution sites, click here.
Powersacks.
Food for Thought Denver
will be providing Powersacks at all distribution sites, every Friday. Each Powersack contains enough food for a family of four for two days. They are available for anyone in need, not just DPS students.
Meal Delivery. Today, April 7th, DPS is also launching a new weekday meal delivery program. School buses will deliver meals to schools and community locations throughout the city for the remainder of the school year. They will stop at each site for 20 - 30 minutes to hand out breakfast and lunch. On Fridays, weekend breakfast and lunch are also available for pickup. For delivery sites, click here.
Hunger Free Colorado
has set up a Food Resource Hotline for anyone who needs help locating food. Call 855-855-4626, M - F (8 am - 4:30 pm) to find school meals, food pantries, and SNAP and WIC enrollment.
Students outside Denver can find nearby locations to pick up meals
here.
A full list of Food Distribution sites from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment
here.
Laptops at home. If your high school student still needs a computer, you can pick one up on Tuesday, April 7 or Wednesday, April 8 between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at one of
12 DPS schools.
Wifi at home. DPS is providing a limited number of hotspots to students from
these high schools .
Also, new Comcast customers will receive 2
months of
free service
, which is normally $9.95/month.
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Childcare and Resources for Parents
Updated 4/2 at 2:15 PM
Emergency Childcare Collaborative. A
100% tuition credit will provide child care to all essential workers, including health care, food industry, and public safety, until May 17. The program is aimed at serving families in need of child care in order to continue to perform their critical duties.
If you are a family who meets the criteria above, fill out the application for child care here.
Other Resources for Parents
Talking to kids about COVID-19:
|
Updated 4.9 at 1:39 PM
Help Colorado Now has raised over $10 million, including $1 million in small donations, and recuited more than 10,000 volunteers, including more than 2,500
health care volunteers. You can donate or sign up to volunteer here.
Apply here for grants up to $25,000.
Blood donors needed. Donor eligibility here
. Make an appointment here. NOTE: the
Health Care Response Volunteer Sign Up. Once you sign up you will be contacted and matched with a hospital or care facility in need in your area.
Other Volunteer Sign-up here. Roles include administrative, client advocacy, construction, mental wellness, food bank support, language skills, healthcare, volunteer management, childcare, delivery of goods and more.
Denver is seeking volunteers to support residents experiencing homelessness and in need of shelter. If you are healthy, willing and not in an at-risk category, email sheltervolunteer@denvergov.org.
Review the Attorney General's charity fraud page here before donating.
How to help feed unemployed workers, hospital staff, school kids and others in need around Denver.
*Donate food to your local hospital systems:
-
-
Visit
UCHealth
for more information or leave a note of thanks for healthcare workers by clicking
here
.
-
Visit
HealthOne
to fill out the form explaining your donation.
-
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College Students and Higher Education
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Each of us can do our part to fight COVID-19 by staying home as much possible. When its necessary to leave your house, please practice social distancing and wear a mask.
Hospitals and medical staff will be under enormous strain in the next few weeks to care for individuals with COVID-19, and by staying home, you can make sure those beds are available for others.
Guidance For People Experiencing Symptoms, provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health (CDPHE)
- Mild symptoms (might include a combination of cough, body aches, fatigue, and chest tightness, with or without fever): Self-isolate, and use over-the-counter medications to treat your symptoms -- like you would for a cold or other respiratory illness.
-
Serious symptoms, especially trouble breathing:
Self-isolate, use over-the-counter medications and contact a health care provider or nurseline if your illness becomes more severe. The provider may recommend you be tested for COVID-19, and should be able to instruct you on how to get a test.
-
Severe symptoms: call 911 for symptoms of heart attack or stroke; difficulty breathing or choking; difficulty speaking, walking, or seeing; an allergic reaction; confusion, dizziness, or disorientation; sudden, severe pain.
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Past COVID-19 Newsletters
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Paid for by Leslie Herod for Colorado. Contributions are limited to $400 every 2 year election cycle from individuals, sole proprietorships, LLPs, LLCs and state PACS and $5,350 from small donor committees. Contributions from corporations, labor unions, foreign governments and non-US citizens are prohibited. Contributions are not tax deductible. Donations from registered Colorado lobbyists or principals of lobbyists are prohibited during the legislative session running from January 8th to May 6th, 2020 and any email or donation page from this campaign is not soliciting a contribution from lobbyists or principals of lobbyists.
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