The following COVID-19 resources are available through the CDC and Texas Department of State Health Services. The novel (new) coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The first case in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020.
Sources: CDC.gov and DSHS.texas.gov
Health
- About 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
- About 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) (Spanish)
- Symptoms & Complications
- How it Spreads
- Prevention & Treatment
- Share Facts, Not Fear
- What To Do If You Are Sick
- Caring for Yourself at Home (pdf)
- Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
- Use of Cloth Face Coverings
- Daily Living and Coping
- Running Essential Errands
- Caring for Children
Handwashing:
Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick by preventing the spread of ‘bad’ germs that cause disease, such as COVID-19 and influenza (the flu).
Visit the Scrub Up, Tune Up Program resource for prevention information.
Video: ‘How Handwashing Works’
Household Disinfecting:
How to Clean & Disinfect Your Household (pdf) (Spanish)
Operation Face Mask
To assist with the shortage of medical face masks, AgriLife Extension is leading an effort to bring its volunteer network together for homemade production of masks statewide.
Cloth Face Mask Steps from Howdy Health on Vimeo.
2-1-1 Information and Referral:
2-1-1 Texas is a Texas Health and Human Services Commission program. 2-1-1 can provide information and referrals to COVID-19 social services, including testing, community clinics, unemployment benefits and local community resources such as financial assistance for utilities or rent, food pantries, housing assistance, crisis counseling, utility payment assistance, and senior services.
Texans in need of COVID-19 information and referrals to community resources should call the 2-1-1 (877-541-7905) Texas hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and select option 6. 2-1-1 can provide information and referrals to COVID-19 social services, including testing, community clinics, unemployment benefits and local community resources such as financial assistance for utilities or rent, food pantries, housing assistance, crisis counseling, utility payment assistance, and senior services.
- View more Texas EDEN disease and epidemic resources including resources for flu »
Video Presentation:
Financial
- Protecting Yourself Financially from the Coronavirus: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/protect-yourself-financially-from-impact-of-coronavirus/
- If Your Employment Has Been Affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19): If your employment has been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19), apply for unemployment benefits either online at any time using https://twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services or by calling TWC’s Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday. Due to high call volume, you are advised to use the online Unemployment Services link and to sign up for Electronic Correspondence to receive communications about your claim faster. In order to apply you will need:
- Last employer’s business name and address
- First and last dates (month, day and year) you worked for your last employer
- Number of hours worked and pay rate if you worked this week (including Sunday)
- Information related to your normal wage
- Alien Registration Number (if not a US citizen or national)
Texas Benefits: Texas Health and Human Services is encouraging Texans to submit benefit applications and other paperwork online at YourTexasBenefits.com or via the Your Texas Benefits mobile app. HHS administers assistance programs such as Medicaid, SNAP food benefits and TANF cash assistance. Through the website or the mobile app, Texans can:
- Create a new account;
- Find their username on existing account;
- Upload files;
- Update phone number;
- Report changes.
The Your Texas Benefits mobile app can be downloaded at your mobile carrier’s app store. People with questions about using the website or mobile app, including those who have special needs, should dial 2-1-1 and select option 2. For questions about SNAP, TANF, Medicaid or CHIP, dial 2-1-1 and select option 2. To check benefit amounts, recipients can visit YourTexasBenefits.com or call the Lone Star Help Desk at 1-800-777-7EBT (1-800-777-7328).
Managing Money in Tough Times:
This resource provides helpful information on what to do when your income drops, which bills to pay first, how to cut back on spending and many other timely topics:
https://personal-finance.extension.org/financial-security-managing-money-in-tough-times/
Beware of scammers trying to profit on the Coronavirus Pandemic:
Texas Attorney General Consumer Scams:
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/covid-19-consumer-issues
Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508 or file a complaint online.
The Elder Financial Safety Center, at The Senior Source in Dallas, has produced a fact sheet on current scams related to COVID-19:
https://theseniorsource.org/elder-financial-safety-center/
Better Business Bureau:
Business
Child Care
Information on child care options for Texas’ frontline workers fighting to stop the spread of COVID-19 https://frontlinechildcare.texas.gov/
Resources for Child Care Businesses
- HHS, Child Care Licensing Guidance for Child Care Operations guidelines COVID-19: https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/news/2020/03/covid-19-guidance-child-care-providers
- Information for Child Care Providers About Variances https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/news/2020/03/guidance-letter-daycare-child-care-providers-about-variances
- CDC Guidance for Schools and Child Care (includes decision tree on closures): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Resource Page: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/covid-19
- Texas Association for the Education of Young Children Resource Page (national and state sources of guidance for ECE facilities): http://texasaeyc.org/resources/covid-19
- Small business owners and non-profits are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
- Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans at: SBA.gov/Disaster.
Food Resources
Frequently Asked Questions on Coronavirus and Food from USDA
Food Safety at Farmers Markets related to COVID19
Food Safety at Community Gardens related to COVID19
What Feeding America is doing to respond to COVID19
Information for the fresh produce industry and supply chain partners
Mental Health
Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
- Managing Stress During a Pandemic presentation and fact sheets. Dr. Heidi Radunovich, a licensed clinical psychologist at University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences discusses managing stress during a pandemic providing suggestions on what can be done individually and within families. She also talks about managing stress in children.
- Video Presentation: https://mediasite.video.ufl.edu/Mediasite/Play/bf0a42f96e874778bf47a8517125f1591d
- Texas DSHS Mental Health Support https://dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/mental-health.aspx
- Texas HHS Mental Health Resources https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use
- Texas HHSC COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line at 833-986-1919
Food Resources
To learn what actions the FDA has taken as a result of COVID-19, visit their website:https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/food-safety-and-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
Temporary Food Labeling requirements for packaged foodshttps://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-provides-temporary-flexibility-regarding-nutrition-labeling-certain-packaged-food-response-covid
Animal Health
Information sheet: COVID-19 FAQs for Animal Owners
- Texas Animal Health Commission: https://www.tahc.texas.gov/covid-19.html
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/animals.html
- American Veterinary Medical Association: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/covid-19
- Texas Department of Agriculture Critical Infrastructure Letters in English and Spanish: https://www.texasagriculture.gov/NewsEvents/COVID19CoronavirusResponsePage.aspx
Agriculture
USDA Details of Direct Assistance to Farmers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program
USDA is partnering with regional and local distributors, whose workforce has been significantly impacted by the closure of restaurants, hotels and other food service entities, to purchase up to $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy and meat products. Participating distributors and wholesalers will then package a pre-approved box of fresh produce, dairy and meat products for delivery to food banks, community and faith-based organizations and other non-profits serving Americans in need.
