Open Enrollment for Health Insurance Marketplace

Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace (Obamacare) started on Sunday, November 1st and will close on December 15th, 2020. Schedule a free virtual appointment with a federally qualified Navigator to enroll in quality, affordable health coverage.

When making an appointment online at ncnavigator.net, individuals can indicate their language preference. Individuals can also call 1-855-733-3711 to schedule an appointment.

Additionally, here are links in English and Spanish explaining what information will be needed to apply.

Durham’s Health Equipment Loan Program Moves to New Location

After nearly 3 years of being housed in space at The Scrap Exchange, Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) has relocated to join the rest of Project Access of Durham County at 4206 North Roxboro Street, Suite 100, Durham.

We are excited about our new space,” said Amy Armstrong, HELP Manager. “We are also looking forward to resuming services, hopefully starting slowly with curbside assistance on Tuesday, October 13th.  Our hours have shifted slightly.  We will be open on Tuesdays 10:00 am-2:00 pm and Fridays 1-5:00 pm.  Our phone number is also different: 919-748-1022, but our email address is the same.”

The website is now: projectaccessdurham.org/projects/health-equipment-loan-program/

New Hispanic-Focused New Latino-Focused Bilingual Campaign: Juntos, We Can Stop COVID-19

COVID-19 continues to disproportionately affect Hispanics, killing over 33,000 and hospitalizing many more. Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio is launching the “Juntos, We Can Stop COVID-19” digital communication campaign in English and Spanish to help Hispanic families take action to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The #JuntosStopCovid campaign features Latino culturally relevant, bilingual fact sheets, infographics, and video role model stories.

See the campaign in English (https://salud.to/juntosstopcovid) or Spanish (https://salud.to/covidespanol).

NC Justice Center Releases DACA Update Online

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The North Carolina Justice Center has released a follow-up to the DACA webinar made in July 2020. Since there were two important developments in the news since the webinar happened, the NC Justice Center added to the recorded video with the updated information. You can see the video here:

On June 18th, a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court undid the Trump Administration’s termination of DACA. The the NC Justice Center’s Immigrant & Refugee Rights team put together this webinar to discuss the decision and its effect on DACA applicants.

Watch to learn more about the risks and obstacles that first-time DACA applicants may face if they decide to apply. In addition, the video discusses how people with DACA could be eligible for work visas as well as the measures pending in Congress to give DACA recipients more permanent immigration status in the U.S.

This video DOES NOT substitute for legal advice. It is intended to helps inform people’s decisions if they’re thinking about applying.

Cover Durham distributes 43,465 masks in one month

This week, the Cover Durham program, in association with the Community Health Coalition, distributed nearly 21,000 face coverings. These include polypropylene and cotton masks from Original Mattress Factory, hand-sewn masks, and a large shipment of cotton masks provided by CAARE. That makes a total of 43,465 distributed this month.

Cover Durham continues to focus its efforts on Durham’s Hispanic population, which has been disproportionately hit by COVID-19. This week, the Community Health Coalition (CHC) made a large delivery to a church, in addition to distributing 10,115 masks to various bakeries, beauty salons, restaurants, and other small businesses.

Mask distribution to the Hispanic community in Durham

BikeDurham received 1,700 more face coverings to distribute to passengers who use the transit system. buses.

In addition to the Community Health Coalition and Bike Durham distributions, 9,075 face masks were also delivered to churches with services in Spanish, local community organizations, food pantries, two Hispanic soccer leagues, two daycare centers, and Lincoln Community Health Center. These organizations and institutions, in turn, distribute the masks to the people who need it most, including construction workers, janitorial staff, and low-income families.

City Hall On The Go did a great job at Damar Court and Club Boulevard, delivering 1,000 masks at both sites.

Cover Durham is a program dedicated to distributing free face coverings to residents who live in Durham County.

 

How and Who should wear a mask?

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a cloth face coverings plus social distancing and hand-washing can help slow the spread of COVID-19.

 

CDC Adds 6 More COVID-19 Symptoms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added six new symptoms to the list of known COVID-19 symptoms. The additional symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.

Learn more at: ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/covid19/symptoms-and-testing/covid-19-symptoms

Community Partners Launch “Feeding Durham Together” Volunteer Portal

Durham skyline by Angel Romero

The Durham County Government is encouraging local residents, 18 years and older, to sign up to pack meals, deliver food and perform other essential volunteer roles assisting local food distribution organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The County, with the support and partnership of The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center (formerly the Volunteer Center of Durham), has a “one-stop” online portal where local residents can go to volunteer and select specific roles, dates and times with food kitchens, pantries and other agencies in critical need of people to serve key functions.

Once residents have signed up on the Feeding Durham Together online portal, staff will then quickly work to confirm assignments with the food agency and the volunteer. The site and process are designed to efficiently match available volunteers with nonprofits that urgently need their support.

Right now, our community’s hunger challenges are greater than normal,” said Donna Rewalt, Director of Durham County Cooperative Extension and Feeding Coordinator with the Food Security Task Force of Durham County’s Emergency Operations Center. “We strongly encourage community members to volunteer to support our food relief agencies that are on the front lines every day. We have a duty to step up and make sure all Durham residents get the food they need.

Residents can visit the Feeding Durham Together portal at https://tinyurl.com/feedingdurham. After signing up for an account, individuals or groups can quickly volunteer for the shift or shifts that work best for their schedules and abilities. Volunteers receive safety guidance in the portal upon sign-up for shifts.

Durham community members always have demonstrated that they will support each other,” said Kim Shaw, Executive Director of The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center. “We’re excited to continue facilitating connections between passionate volunteers and critical food relief nonprofits for the benefit of those who are most in need during this pandemic.”

To learn more about The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center, visit here.

Durham FEAST, a Meal Program for Children and Families

Families going to school sites across Durham County, NC will receive free children’s breakfasts and lunches prepared by Durham restaurants, while adults will receive shelf-stable food supplies and/or family-style casseroles. Sites and schedules will be regularly updated at www.durhamfeast.org/sites.

Income Inequality Affects Health and Opportunity in the United States

A new poll from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, National Public Radio, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health describes in dramatic detail the problem that middle- and lower-income household members face when it comes to affording the needs of life in the United States of America.

Unexpected medical or dental bills, food insecurity, skipping a doctor’s appointment or going without medication, finding safe and affordable housing. These are just some of the worries families face due in part to climbing income inequality in the United States.

Key finding include:

  • Significant concerns from the middle class with nearly 50% reporting considerable problems paying for medical bills, dental bills, and prescription drugs.
  • Food insecurity and unaffordable housing are still a chief concern for 3 in 10 lower-income adults who reported serious difficulty in paying for food and nearly 1 in 5 middle-income adults that expressed trouble in finding affordable housing.
  • Health care access is still out of reach for 26% of middle-income earners and 31% of lower-income adults.
  • An unanticipated expense of $1,000 would be difficult to pay for more than two-thirds of lower income adults and one-third of middle-income adults.
  • Despite the problems facing many middle-and lower-income Americans, the majority of adults across income levels believe the American Dream is still alive and within reach.

More at Life Experiences and Income Inequality in the United States