Opportunity Council seeks additional assistance during coronavirus pandemic
The Opportunity Council is seeking funds and donations from the community in order to provide support for homeless and low-income families throughout Whatcom County during the coronavirus pandemic.
The council’s Community Resource Center in Bellingham has been closed to in-person access, but is still accepting funds and donations from community members.
The council is seeking to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for their homeless outreach team, with the goal of providing services to the unsheltered community within the county. While the council said it has had some donations from other organizations, it is still looking to acquire approximately $6,000 to ensure the safety and viability of the team.
The council also is looking to house homeless families with children in motels for the short term while COVID-19 is prevalent in the area. To accomplish this, the council hopes to raise $30,000 to offset the expected surge of need during the crisis.
“This is an ongoing challenge in normal times, and it has been exacerbated recently by losing access to some motel rooms we used to be able to place families in, and an expected surge in need due to the economic fallout of this crisis. Our goal is to raise $30,000 ASAP,” Executive Director Greg Winter told The Bellingham Herald.
Online cash donations can be made at the Opportunity Council website.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
COVID-19, the new coronavirus, is a disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2.
The disease is spread through contact between people within six feet of each other, especially through coughing and sneezing that expels respiratory droplets that land in the mouths or noses of people nearby.
Although most of the cases have been mild, the disease is especially dangerous for the elderly and others with weaker immune systems.
Click the drop-down icon in the upper right of this card for more information on symptoms and how to stop its spread.
What you can do
Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
▪ Keep six feet between yourself and others when in public.
▪ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
▪ Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with hands that haven’t been washed.
▪ Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash and then wash your hands.
▪ Stay home if you feel sick. Avoid others who are sick.
▪ If your symptoms are severe and require medical care, call your doctor first.
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 5:00 AM.