Overview
Like the rest of the world, the city of Austin is responding to a pandemic of respiratory disease spreading from person-to-person caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. The disease has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”), and the situation poses a serious public health risk. COVID-19 can cause mild to severe illness; most severe illness occurs in older adults.
This is a rapidly evolving situation that has led to the cancellation of major events in the city and implementation of work-from-home (“WFH”) policies for many Austin companies. On March 24, 2020 the City of Austin issued an order for residents to stay at home to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, which went into effect and will last until at least June 15.
Neighborhoods are the first level of community beyond our households. Cherrywood and Scheiffer-Willowbrook have a rich history of interacting with each other as a community for fun and enjoyment which has created a lot of positive social capital. Challenging times like these are the time to draw on some of that social capital.
Resources
Free public COVID-19 testing now available. Take the self-assesment to begin registration.
On July 14, Austinites head to the polls for a slew of elections postponed by the pandemic. Since local cases of COVID-19 are continuing to rise, please consider voting by mail if you meet any of the following conditions.
You are 65 years of age or older
You are sick or disabled
You will be outside of Travis County during the election period
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that a voter’s fear of contracting COVID-19 does not qualify as a disability, but voters are free to determine if their health conditions make it unsafe to vote in person.
CommUnityCare Health Center | (512) 978-9015
People with no insurance and no established health provider experiencing coronavirus-like symptoms should call the number above. CommUnityCare will triage people over the phone and send them to the appropriate location.
AGE of Central Texas | (512) 451-4611
AAGE is pulling together resources to be shared/utilized remotely, such as home activities. If you want this information, please share your e-mail address with them, or ask your buddy to share their email with them. AGE has a program called HELP (Health Equipment Lending Program) that provides free, no-time-limit loans of durable medical equipment (walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, etc) and distributions of incontinence products.
Meals on Wheels | (512) 476-6325
MOW has updated their guidelines for meal delivery to protect their volunteers as well as the people they serve. They are continuing to deliver hot, nutritious meals and safety checks to homebound clients.
Senior Access Texas | (512) 310-1060
Senior Access works to ensure every senior in our communities has access to essential services. We provide support services (including free transportation when safe) that enhances independence and quality of life for all of our senior clients.
Family Eldercare | (512) 450-0844
To combat social isolation, Family Eldercare offers a phone-based program that can be enjoyed from the comfort of home.
In addition to social and educational sessions, they will be adding special programming on COVID-19 for seniors.
LCWW is open to persons ages 55+.
H-E-B Favor Senior Support Line | (833) 397-0080
People older than 60yrs can get groceries delivered by placing orders through the Senior Support phone line above, the Favor app, or favordelivery.com.
The Senior Support Line will be staffed with volunteers from 11am to 3pm, seven days a week.
Although delivery and service fees are waived for the first 30 days of the program, all orders will include a $10 tip, which goes entirely to the delivery person.
Get Us PPE | (855) 904-3506
A national, centralized platform to enable communities to get Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to healthcare providers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We Are Blood | (512) 206-1266
Local 501(c)(3) organization that provides and protects the Central Texas blood supply.
Currently preparing to collect convalescent plasma donations from individuals who have had a lab-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 to treat patients currently fighting COVID-19. Sign up to be a donor HERE.
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CNA Response
On March 16, the CNA SC sent out a request for volunteers to be a “buddy” for at-risk neighbors to help bridge the gap with those that may not have the resources to get through the pandemic. Twenty volunteers were assigned to 150 households that were identified via TCAD as over-65 or disabled to help add to the connections of neighbors already supporting other neighbors. A flyer with volunteer contact info, information about the pandemic, and some resources noted above was handed to or dropped off at all at-risk households.
If you are interested in being a buddy, click HERE to send us an e-mail.
If you are in need of a buddy, click HERE to send us an e-mail.
If you have any suggestions for this page or for any other comments, click HERE to send us an e-mail.
Last Updated: June 15, 2020