Coronavirus: What You Need To Know

Coronavirus: What You Need To Know

Listeners and readers have asked where to turn for help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevada Public Radio has organized the following stories with links to useful resources. They refer to entities that are addressing the outbreak and its ripple effects, such as food banks, unemployment agencies, governmental support for small businesses, and more. Please check back often as we continue to develop this list.

We want to hear from you. If we’ve missed something, please add it in the comments or e-mail heidi@nevadapublicradio.org.

A Note from CEO and President, Jerry Nadal

RESOURCES

COVID-19 Tracker

PUBLIC INFORMATION

The agencies below are leading the government's response to the pandemic at various levels. These links go to their pages with information about the virus, its spread, and the ensuing public-health and economic crisis.

Other public offices are offering their own resource guides as well. These contain links and contact information on where to find help with myriad issues related to the pandemic, from housing to unemployment insurance.

City of Henderson COVID-19 Community Resources
City of Las Vegas Coronavirus Update
Clark County Coronavirus Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services' Nevada 2-1-1
U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto's COVID-19 Resource Guide
U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen's COVID-19 Nevada Resource Guide

BUSINESS/EMPLOYERS

The Small Business Administration, or SBA, is offering various types of help for business owners impacted by the new coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis, including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.
Since the SBA's emergency funding programs have launched in mid-March, they've seen a lot of turmoil. This timeline encapsulates the changes to the EIDL and Payroll Protection Plan, or PPP, and where they are today.

FOOD

Among the concerns of those finding themselves without work, one of the most basic and immediate is, “How will I feed my family?” This story contains links to resources such as food banks and food assistance programs, as well to organizations seeking donations and volunteers.
Many casino-hotels on and off the Strip have donated their unused stores of food and water to both their own laid off employees and various charities, which, in turn, are innovating to get it to those most in need. The following is a summary of what’s available as of March 26, 2020.

HEALTHCARE, MEDICINE, AND WELLNESS

What kinds of tests are there, and where are they available locally? And maybe more importantly, who can — and should — get tested? This regularly updateed list shows viral testing sites in Southern Nevada.

How do you care for someone in your home who is sick? David Weismiller, a family physician and professor in the UNLV School of Medicine’s department of family and community medicine, has some advice: protect yourself, keep others away, and don’t stop washing your hands.

Does your health insurance cover testing and treatment for COVID-19? Insurance can be tricky… full of exceptions and terms that can allow some insurers to skirt the law. So, what is and isn't covered by your insurance when it comes to COVID-19?

PARENTING/EDUCATION

And you thought summer vacation was bad… At least then you could take your kids to the pool or play dates! Being shut inside the house with them 24/7 and having the expectation that at least some of their time will be spent constructively is a new experience for most parents. Fortunately, many agencies and community groups offer resources to help.

UNEMPLOYMENT

What should the thousands of workers, who are being laid off due to the COVID-19 crisis, do? Here is some guidance from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
The day after Governor Steve Sisolak’s order to close non-essential businesses, March 18, brought the promise of several programs to help families that might be affected by those closures and their resulting layoffs. Two nonprofit programs offer both assistance to those in need and opportunities for those who want to help to donate and volunteer, while the federal government’s Families First bill covers everything from free COVID-19 testing to worker relief.
UNLV Law Professor Ruben Garcia, who co-directs the William S. Boyd School of Law’s Workplace Program, offers this practical, step-by-step guide to making the best of a difficult situation for workers who have been laid off.

UTILITIES

Three municipal water districts, Southwest Gas, and NV Energy have all pledged to work with customers on flexible repayment options and suspend service disconnections for the foreseeable future. All are encouraging customers to reach them by phone or online, as lobbies close to the public. Details and contact information for each of the utilities are included in this story.

VOLUNTEER/DONATION OPPORTUNITIES

Hundreds of thousands of Nevadans are out of work due to the business shutdown mandated to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. That’s on top of the huge number of families who were already at risk of hunger and homelessness before the pandemic. Those looking to donate or volunteer can start with these opportunities.

Below are links to the latest national stories from NPR, as well as local stories from KNPR newscasts and KNPR's State of Nevada.

Desert Companion

Ode: The Soaker

Andrew Kiraly

In praise of the cheapo kiddie pool.
Desert Companion

What Have We Learned?

Andrew Kiraly

Doctors, specialists, and medical students share the sometimes difficult lessons they’ve learned in the age of COVID-19.
Desert Companion

Life on the Inside

Andrew Kiraly

Dispatches from Home in the New Las Vegas.
Desert Companion

What Happened Here

Las Vegas has been deemed ‘inessential’ before — but not like this. Does our history of essential contributions to the nation offer any hope for a new purpose?
Desert Companion

Asked and Answered: ‘Every Day It’s, Do We Order Food?’

Heidi Kyser

Talking with the Pasta Shop’s Ann Alenik about operating in a shutdown.
Desert Companion

Eat this now: Peaceful, Easy Eating

Scott Dickensheets

Maybe it’s just me, but sometimes in the midst of a pandemic that’s terraforming The Way We Live in frightening, unpredictable ways, you need a few moments of double-secret quarantine.