Helping Each Other Get Through the Coronavirus Pandemic

Wed 18 Mar, 2020

Well, well, well.  Looks like something finally happened to put the brakes on the lying, blustering Agent Orange in the Whitehouse: A worldwide PANDEMIC called the Coronavirus.  

First, we were told it was a “Democratic hoax.”  Then we were told that it would “magically disappear” on its own. With over 180,000 cases reported around the world, and more than 7000 dead, this is one thing that mutha fucka can’t gaslight us about.

Here’s the bottom line:  if we all don’t hunker down and socially isolate from each other for a period of time, the shit is REALLY going to hit the fan.

Now is the time to take this pandemic seriously and protect ourselves, our families and our communities: calmly, soberly and intelligently.

The main tactic scientists say to use at this stage of the game is called “social distancing.” In layman’s terms that means try to stay 6 feet away from others (the virus spreads through respiratory droplets in the air from breathing, coughing, or sneezing).  Most governments are enacting executive orders that limit large groups of people from gathering in public places (concerts, athletic and sporting events, restaurants, parties, schools, even some workspaces) in order to slow the spread of transmission.  

Keeping kids home from school and employment layoffs have also begun, and are hitting our community very hard.  Many of our brothers and sisters were barely making ends meet before Coronavirus.  God damn, if the virus don’t get you the financial stress just might!  

All jokes aside, here’s what’s true: black people are STRONG! We will get through this crisis if we look out for each other and if we work together.  We have to keep physically and mentally strong right now.

FINANCIAL RELIEF AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE 

• The symptoms of Covid-19 (the disease the Coronavirus causes) include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. There’s a lot of false news about how to cure or prevent the virus, but the truth is there is no cure or vaccine right now.  Try to get your news from the CDC.gov website. And If you get sick or experience symptoms, then click this link here to find out how to get medical help: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
• Check a reputable news source daily to find out the latest news, but don’t spend all day watching doom and gloom reporting.  It only adds to anxiety and stress levels which will make everything seem worse.
• Many states (though not all) are passing executive orders forbidding landlords from evicting tenants for failure to pay rent due to economic hardship caused by COVID-19. If you’ve been laid off and can’t pay your rent, research if your city has enforced such an order. Knowing that you can keep a roof over your head will definitely help ease some anxiety during this hard time.
• Most school districts are closing campuses for the foreseeable future which provides hardship for families that need childcare and the meals that students normally receive in school.  Many schools are providing free lunch drop-off locations for families who depend on those meals.  So check with your child’s school to see if they have made such provisions for you.
• The Federal government is considering giving cash payments directly to American citizens sometime over the next two weeks (it’s not certain though).  Lots of figures are being tossed about like $1,000 for every citizen in need. I hope they decide to stop talking about it and just do it since we all know how quickly they will act to bail out the airline and cruise ship industries.
• The Federal government is considering delaying the income tax payment deadline which is currently April 15 (you still have to file your taxes on time though). Nothing has been announced yet, but check your reliable news source to see if any tax relief is coming.
• The NY Times reported on March 17th that many credit card companies are now agreeing to pause credit card payments and car loan payments for consumers affected by COVID-19  (including pausing interest fees). Help is not automatic though, so if you need relief be sure to call the company and ask them if they can pause your payment, the interest accrual, and not ding your credit either!
• If you are suffering from stress, mental anxiety or insomnia, a free online resource is available from the good people at the Calm app.  They made a page with FREE audio meditations, body relaxation videos, sleep stories for the kids and much more.  If you have access to mental health services like in-person therapy, take advantage of that, otherwise, click this link to access the free meditation audios from Calm. https://www.calm.com/blog/take-a-deep-breath?fbclid=IwAR31_dS6yW9mtPRK_pVcVvVAyWZ9WQjN1M8R3csNZReVNxf4YdxLUgXflr4

HELP FOR THOSE HURTING IN HOSPITALITY

Many in the Hospitality industry are being hit especially hard with the closure of hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, casinos, cruise ships, and strip clubs (don’t laugh, work is work!)

If you are a maid, server, bartender, cook, hostess who is unemployed, immediately contact your local government and apply for unemployment benefits, food assistance, and any other shit they offer (cause your taxes paid for it!).  The USBG Foundation is now offering emergency assistance to bartenders affected by Covid-19, so click here if you are experiencing economic hardship: https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap

The world is going crazy right now. These are strange times, but if we take care of each other, our communities, and especially our elderly (who are particularly vulnerable to recovering from the virus) we will make it through. 

Stay strong Team Griffin.  Protect your physical health and your mental health. Ask for help if you need it. 

Then in November when it’s time to vote, we’re going to let Agent Orange know what we think about how he handled this mess. 

E.G.