COVID - 19 UPDATE
September 20, 2021
Greetings!
Thank you to our cancer survivors, caretakers, partners, supporters, families, and friends!
COVID-19 continues to impact all of us, from how people work to how we conduct our daily lives. As we partner with community health organization, we are monitoring closely how COVID-19 is affecting the underserved communities we service. We are immensely proud of the resilience and flexibility of our volunteers and Community Health Workers, who have stayed focused throughout this pandemic.
As we continue to focus on the core goals of Sister Working it Out, we want you to know that we are still in this fight with you! With God’s help, we will make it through this season together. We are continuing to learn more about COVID-19 and how it is affecting our low-income and cancer communities. Since the onset of the pandemic, we have partnered with several faith-based leaders, healthcare organizations, and community leaders to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
We are still committed to our mission-to serve as a catalytic force in the elimination of breast cancer disparities in underserved and underinsured communities in the Chicagoland area. Please continue to follow our federal and state officials as they ask us to please, stay home if you are sick. Also, please wear a cloth face covering when going out for essential service or to work to protect yourself and others. Remember, we are STRONGER TOGETHER!
For more helpful information:
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https://www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19-vaccines/
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call the CCDPH COVID-19 Hotline at 708-633- 3319
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follow CCDPH on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccdph and Twitter at www.twitter.com/cookcohealth
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or State Data https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics
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or US and Global Data https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/us-map
Finally, I truly thank God, you, our survivors, and caretakers for allowing Sisters Working Out to be a part of your family. If you need to speak with someone at SWIO you can reach us at info@sisterworkingitout.org or (312) 574-3053.
Respectfully Yours,
Beulah Brent
CEO/President
Managing Your Health
What to do if you think you are sick.
When to call for emergency medical attention
The number one best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Find your vaccine at www.zocdoc.com/vaccine or call 312 746 4835. Learn more at www.chi.gov/covidvax.
Know How it Spreads
The virus that causes COVID-19 primarily spreads between people in close contact when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. You might also get the virus if you touch something with the virus on it, and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Get Vaccinated
The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. Find your vaccine at www.zocdoc.com/vaccine or call 312 746 4835. Learn more at www.chi.gov/covidvax.
If you're not vaccinated, take every day preventative actions
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Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
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Avoid close contact with people who are sick
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Put 6ft of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household
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Wear a face covering when in public and around others
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Avoid large gatherings and crowded spaces
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If you’re sick, stay home except to get medical care.
Protect Children and Vulnerable Members
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The best way to protect children and vulnerable members of the household is for everyone in the home to get vaccinated. Currently children age 12 and older can be vaccinated.
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Teach children the same things everyone should do to stay healthy. Children and other people can spread the virus even if they don’t show symptoms.
Separate a Household Member Who Is Sick
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Keep people at higher risk separated from anyone who is sick.
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Have only one person in the household take care of the person who is sick.
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Provide a separate bedroom and bathroom for the person who is sick, if possible.
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If you need to share a bedroom, separate the ill person’s bed.
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If you need to share a bathroom, clean and disinfect the frequently touched surfaces in the bathroom after each use.
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Maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other family or household members.
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If you are sick, do not help prepare food. Also, eat separately from the family.
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If you are vaccinated, it is much less likely that you will get sick while taking care of someone who is sick.
COVID Testing
A viral test checks specimen from your nose or your mouth to find out if you are currently infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
Get tested immediately if you have symptoms of COVID-19, and isolate until you know your results, even if you are fully vaccinated.
If you have no symptoms, but have contact with someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, you should also get tested and protect others as follows:
People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered, as long as they do not develop new symptoms, do not need to get tested or quarantine following an exposure to COVID-19.
Additionally, those attending large events, may be asked to provide proof of negative tests if unvaccinated (pre-event defined by event organizers and no more than 72 hours prior to the event).
Testing alone will not stop the spread of COVID-19. The best way to lower your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 is to get the COVID-19 vaccine and to take other steps like wearing a mask and staying home when you are sick. Whether you test positive or negative for COVID-19, you should take preventive measures to protect yourself and others.
How Do I Find a COVID-19 Vaccine?
Click here>>> https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/How-Do-I-Get-a-COVID-19-Vaccine.html
COVID-19
County Check
High Transmission
In Cook County, Illinois, community transmission is High.
Everyone should wear a mask in public indoor settings.
Mask requirements might vary from place to place. Make sure you follow local laws, rules, regulations or guidance.
The Possibility of COVID-19 after Vaccination: Breakthrough Infections
Updated Aug. 23, 2021
Education
Chicago Public Schools/BACK TO SCHOOL
CICS Basil School, https://www.chicagointl.org/campuses/basil,1816 W. Garfield Blvd, 773-778-9455
www.regenremote.org - free high quality learning materials for grades K-8
The Rise Foundation, www.therisefoundationchicago.org 773-368-2564
High school and college application information
Family Activities
Art Institute of Chicago
https://www.artic.edu/visit-us-virtually/get-creative-at-home/art-making-activities
https://www.artic.edu/visit-us-virtually
http://journeymaker.artic.edu
Food
Casa Catalina’s Food Pantry, 4537 S Ashland, 773-376-9425
Open Tuesday, 9:30-11:30 am, 1pm-2:30pm, Wednesday 1pm-5:30pm, Thursday, 9:30am-2:30pm
Children – Chicago Public Schools/CPS “grab-and-go” meals Monday-Friday 9am to 1pm
at Libby, Kipp-Bloom, Peace & Education Coalition Alternative High School (Sinclair Campus),
Back of the Yards College Prep, Chavez, Daley, Hamline, Hedges, Lara, Seward.
Children - CICS Basil School, https://www.chicagointl.org/campuses/basil
1816 W. Garfield Blvd, 773-778-9455
Free grab & go meals are available Monday-Friday from 11am-1pm
Food Pantry at New Eclipse Community Alliance 715 W 51st Street, 773-538-4957
Open Wednesdays, 4:30-6:30pm
Greater Chicago Food Depository – Find Food
https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food - enter zip code to find Food Pantries – call before you go because some are closed due to COVID-19
Health/Medical
Access Community Health Network
Telehealth appointments https://www.achn.net
Toll Free Appointment Number 866-267-2353
Heartland Alliance Health www.heartlandalliance.org
Health Centers open in Englewood and Uptown. 773-275-2586
Oak Street Health https://www.oakstreethealth.com/
Telehealth appointments by phone and video for seniors Toll Free 888-535-7744
Port Ministries Free Clinic http://www.theportministries.org
5013 S Hermitage, 773-778-5955
Free Clinic on Tuesdays at 6pm. Adults only.
Library Services
Chicago Public Library, www.chipublib.org
Online resources, e-books and audio books for children, teens, and adults
Story Time for children Monday-Friday at 10am – Chicago Public Library Facebook Live
Domestic Violence Hotline and Counseling
Metropolitan Family Services Free Domestic Violence Counseling Services, https://www.metrofamily.org Counseling, safety planning,
referrals to court advocacy and legal aid society.
Midway: (773) 884-3310, Calumet: (773) 371-3600, Northside: (773) 371-3700.
Southside Connections Domestic Violence Hotline 24 hours 708-335-3028
Mental Health
Crisis Text Hotline https://www.crisistextline.org/
Connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7
Text HELLO to 741741
Call4Calm Emotional Support Line for Illinois Residents
Text TALK or HABLAR (Spanish) to 552020. You should get a call back within 24 hours
Hartgrove Behavioral Health System, www.hartgrovehospital.com
Emergency Services Department 773-413-1720
St. Anthony Hospital, https://sahchicago.org/, is offering services through phone/video conference.
773-523-5079. This includes mental health (individual therapy and intake/referral): and case management (legal, housing, food, health navigation, victim's rights and referral support.
Mortgage, Foreclosure and Rental Assistance
Spanish Coalition for Housing, http://sc4housing.org
Mortgage, Rental and Foreclosure assistance
Pilsen 312-850-2660, South 773-933-7575, North 773-342-7575
SNAP/Medicaid Benefits
Chicago Public Schools/CPS Hotline for CPS Families
773-553-KIDS (5437) for Medicaid/SNAP and TANF (cash)
Greater Chicago Food Depository, www.chicagosfoodbank.org
Call 773-843-5416 for assistance with SNAP (food stamps) or Medicaid benefits