COVID-19 Living: Resources and Tools
As coronavirus spreads, we want you to feel prepared. What follows is a list of resources and ideas for coping with all of the changes resulting from the virus.
Mental Health
AA, NA and other Anonymous programs have digital and phone meetings.
Ask your psychiatrist if you can get a 90-day supply of your medication (and if your insurance will cover it). Use GoodRx to see if you can get the medication cheaply. We know this isn't available to everyone, but if you can swing it, it's worth happening.
Turn off news notifications on your phone if they’re making you anxious. The news is always there to check later.
If exercising helps your mental health and your gym has closed, check out Aaptiv (they offer a free trial up front, and no, we’re not an affiliate) or Yoga By Adriene videos on Youtube.
Check out the She Spends Power Playlist and use it for a dance party.
The Seattle Symphony is offering free live streams of its performances throughout the month — a fantastic distraction if you need one.
Physical Health
Not worried about getting sick? Doesn’t matter. Follow protocols of washing your hands, using hand sanitizer when you don’t have access, and social distancing. Keep your community healthy!
Check on your friends and family who are older or immunosuppressed. Ask what else you can do to support them right now.
Take your medication and vitamins!
Money Stuff
If you go out to eat, get your nails done, or order delivery, please tip heavily. Service workers are not well-paid and will likely be the most affected by what’s going on.
If you have investments, do not panic about market conditions. Then, consider your investment strategy. Keep that in mind, and don’t let market shifts dictate your strategy.
Worried about employment? Is your company hiring? We have a thread going right now in the She Spends Facebook group that aims to connect job seekers and companies that are hiring.
Have a little extra money you want to use to support folks affected? These two GoFundMes are good places to start.
Community Caring
If you want to support a political candidate who has suspended canvassing efforts, look into text or phone banking. Donate money if you can.
Check up on your elderly neighbors. They may need help getting groceries or other necessities.
If the college you went to has sent students home, check on Twitter for threads of alumni helping displaced or now-unemployed students. Press the alumni association or endowment to support those students financially.
If you have extra cans or other nonperishables, donate them to a local food bank. They’re likely to get swamped soon.
Further Reading
The following news sites have dropped their paywalls for coronavirus coverage:
Amanda Eisenberg, the COO at She Spends, has been covering New York’s response to the coronavirus for Politico. Follow her here.
Buzzfeed reporter Julia Reinstein (check out our interview with her here!) wrote about love in the time of coronavirus.
