Whether your at-home reality is more demanding than usual because you’re caring for kids while trying to keep up with work or you’re on the other end of the spectrum with little to do and only Netflix to keep you company, reality has changed for everyone.
Below is a list of resources for everything from medical guidelines to financial information to help you navigate the new landscape.
MEDICAL RESOURCES:
The CDC is the definitive source of information on the medical side of this thing. The website offers tips for how to protect yourself and what to do if you’re sick. It also includes a video on proper hand washing. On the other 👋, this one, from the Ellen show, goes through the same 7 steps for proper hand washing, while also providing some much-needed levity.
While there’s much research yet to be done, we do know that this is an incredibly contagious virus, so the best thing you can do is to avoid it by limiting exposure to anyone and anywhere you might encounter it. Social distancing guidelines advise that you do your best to stay at home if your work isn’t essential, follow the CDC guidelines to reduce your chances of becoming infected, and follow the guidelines for social distancing.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Check out this CARES Act summary from the New York Times or these highlights from Forbes. You may qualify for some relief.
Find a rundown on the Small Business Economic Disaster Loans here as well as a thorough guide and checklist from the Chamber of Commerce here. These loans may help some small businesses keep employees employed and could also be forgiven completely.
This article, from Forbes, highlights the Families First Coronavirus response Act (FFCRA). Find out if you qualify for sick leave here.
More people qualify for unemployment than ever before and many self-employed people are included. See this article for more information on who qualifies and how to apply. If you do qualify, visit your state’s department of labor and follow instructions for how to apply.
Many mortgage companies are offering loan forbearance in the form of suspended or reduced payments for a period of time. Find out details here and contact your mortgage company to get the process started. Due to high call volumes, some companies have special COVID-19 relief sections on their websites. Many utilities, credit cards, car payments, and other loans are suspending late payment fees or offering loan payment holidays or other forms of forbearance. Get ready to spend some time on the phone. Take heart: It’ll be worth it when you can hit the pause button on some of your most pressing bills.
THE BOTTOM LINE
You know that word you’ve been hearing over and over and over again? Unprecedented. Well it’s true. These are unprecedented times and we are laying the tracks as the train is coming. Hang in there. It will bring out the best and the worst in people: Choose to let it bring out the best in you. We’re all in this together.
