Want to help during the coronavirus pandemic? Whatcom Community Foundation has ideas
Many organizations and businesses are still evaluating their current and expected needs after the coronavirus pandemic forced a statewide shutdown and Gov. Jay Inslee ordered non-essential employees to “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” nearly two weeks ago.
Many nonprofits, such as the Whatcom Community Foundation, are still trying to asses where they currently stand and don’t have exact numbers for financial need. But the foundation is still encouraging people who want to help to do so.
President and CEO Mauri Ingram said that people who are looking to help with donations should turn to places they are already familiar with.
“One thing people can do now is give to a response fund so that funds are available immediately as needs arise,” Ingram said. “People can give to organizations they already know and care about. Virtually all are under some distress and a portion, such as arts, environment and animal welfare, will not qualify for most relief support.”
One response fund that Ingram touted was the Whatcom Center for Philanthropy, which is dedicated to raising funds to aid all people in these uncertain conditions.
And while Ingram said the foundation wants to accommodate people wanting to volunteer, it also has to determine what tasks people can perform based on their risk factors.
“A complicating factor is the need to manage the high risk groups that may want to volunteer but, based on their risk status, should be limited to in-home, phone-based activities, rather than working on-site at a food bank or even delivering meals and prescriptions,” Ingram said.
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.