COVID-19 has disrupted the operating norms of our lives. From our health to our jobs to all of the ways isolation impacts our mental health and well being. On top of that, the myriad of resources addressing COVID-19, while appreciated, can get overwhelming. So we’ve pulled a couple of resources that we recommend to help.

Updates about the pandemic

Watch our conversation (in farsi) with medical experts about COVID-19.

• The World Health Organization has compiled a number of resources, such as rolling updates on COVID-19, myths vs facts, public advice, and more.
• The Center for Disease Control has a number of U.S. specific resources. In addition to basic resources on how to protect yourself and what to do when you are sick, they’ve included guidance on travel and visiting parks, and information and data on cases in the U.S.
• BBC Persian posts news updates about COVID-19 in Persian (Farsi).
• Check out NIACast Ep. 1 where Dr. Payam Parvinchiha joins NIAC Communications Director Mana Mostatabi and NIAC Research Fellow Assal Rad (15:18) to chat about the societal impact of coronavirus, why the U.S. was caught unprepared, and what we can do to fight the pandemic and support our health care workers.
• Pre-existing policing practices that harm marginalized and criminalized communities are expanding under COVID-19. The COVID19 Policing Project has created an organizing resource to help fight back against the surveillance, policing and criminalization we’re seeing under COVID-19. The site tracks orders, enforcement and arrests in a national organizing database. By analyzing trends and patterns, communities can push for a response that prioritizes people over policing

For employers

• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has posted a number of resources on the following topics:
  • General small business guidance and loan resources
  • Paycheck Protection Program
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance
  • SBA Express Bridge Loans
  • SBA Debt Relief
• A member of the Iranian-American community has developed a new social distancing app called “Distancing” that enables employees to social distance and companies to trace contacts. You can learn more and request a demo by visiting their website.

General Financial information

• Check out information about unemployment insurance relief from the U.S. Department of Labor.
• Questions about paid leave? Check out this flowchart made by the National Employment Law Project and Families Values @ Work to see what benefits may apply to you. 
• Still waiting on your $1200 stimulus check? Check your status here.
• Netflix hit series Patriot Act has created dontgetkickedout.com to help you find if your apartment building qualifies for the federal eviction moratorium, the current eviction protections where you live, and legal aid in your area to help you stay in your rental home.
• A number of foundations such as the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Amalgamated Foundation, and others are partnering to create a rapid response fund dedicated to helping the workers, families, and communities most devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic called the Family and Workers Fund. While the fund is not accepting applications yet, you can learn more or donate to the fund here.

For Immigrants

• The National Immigration Law Center has two important resources for immigrant communities:
  • FAQ on immigrant workers rights and COVID-19 
  • Information on access to healthcare for immigrants and their families
• Immigrants Rising has compiled a comprehensive list of tangible support for immigrant communities. Their resources include information on housing, K-12 resources, free/low cost resources, information for workers with DACA or TPS, and more.

Mental Health and Domestic & Sexual Violence

Check out our Zoom conversation about mental health and wellness with award winning Iranian-American author Melody Moezzi and former NIAC board chair and clinical psychologist Dr. Shokooh Miry.

• The Raha Foundation is a non-profit mental health organization that consists of psychiatrists, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and social workers in Northern California. They specifically serve the Iranian-American community. 
• The National Network to End Domestic Violence has a list of resources for survivors, domestic violence coalitions, and local domestic violence shelter programs.
• Workplaces Respond created a COVID-19 guide for workers who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 
• Relevant national hotlines:
  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-TALK) 
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness Hotline (1-800-950-NAMI)
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline (1−800−799−SAFE)
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE)

Sanctions and Coronavirus

• Take action to suspend Iran sanctions during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Donate to relief efforts: 
  • Moms Against Poverty
  • Relief International
  • Razi Health Foundation
• For policy updates, follow our work on Peace and Diplomacy

Know of a valuable resource that you think is missing? Email our National Organizing Director, Donna Farvard, at [email protected].