Monday, April 6
Mutual Aid Tompkins Resources
If you have an immediate need, call (607) 288-3252
As always, community members looking for more information on local health resources and resources related to COVID-19 can contact 2-1-1 by calling 1-877-211-8667 or visiting 211tompkins.org
Mutual Aid Tompkins Facebook Page
Mutual Aid Tompkins Facebook Group
Mutual Aid Tompkins Immediate Needs Facebook Group
Mutual Aid Tompkins Food Systems Facebook Group
Mutual Aid Tompkins Community Form
Mutual Aid Tompkins Community Resource Folder
Donate
We are neighbors concerned about our communities and helping to make sure those most vulnerable and affected by COVID-19 get the support they need. We are volunteer run, with no paid staff, and our aid comes directly from the community. We have created a PayPal & Venmo account and the money donated is going directly to people who have made requests through our immediate needs page. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our fundraiser that is in partnership with Tompkins County Worker's Center, You can also make donations through PayPal here and our Venmo here. Thank you!
Message from Mutual Aid Tompkins
This is why our group is striving to center around historically marginalized groups. Have we been doing it the right way? No, we haven’t. Within the last 3 weeks we have gained and lost Black and Brown members of our team because we put the emotional burden of educating us on how to better serve Black and Brown communities as well as not truly decolonizing our work. We were unable to hold the idea that people are resilient and can help themselves but rather came in as the fixers. There is so much that is wrong with all of that. I want to publicly apologize and acknowledge that this has happened behind the scenes and bring it to the forefront. Transparency is so important to me and is really the only good way to be held accountable.
We are trying and will continue to try. If you want to get involved in helping us remain accountable and be equitable about our work, please reach out.
Also please do not comment on this status saying we’re doing a good job because I’m not looking for that. What I really want is for everyone to read this article and really internalize it and think about what it means for our community.
“People like to say that the coronavirus is no respecter of race, class or country, that the disease Covid-19 is mindless and will infect anybody it can.
In theory, that is true. But, in practice, in the real world, this virus behaves like others, screeching like a heat-seeking missile toward the most vulnerable in society. And this happens not because it prefers them, but because they are more exposed, more fragile and more ill.
What the vulnerable portion of society looks like varies from country to country, but in America, that vulnerability is highly intersected with race and poverty.
Early evidence from cities and states already shows that Black people are disproportionately affected by the virus in devastating ways. As ProPublica reported, in Milwaukee County, Wis., as of Friday morning, 81 percent of the deaths were Black people. Black people make up only 26 percent of that county.
As for Chicago, WBEZ reported Sunday that “70 percent of Covid-19 deaths are Black,” and pointed out about surrounding Cook County, “While Black residents make up only 23 percent of the population in the county, they account for 58 percent of the Covid-19 deaths.”
The Detroit News reported last week, “At least 40 percent of those killed by the novel coronavirus in Michigan so far are Black, a percentage that far exceeds the proportion of African-Americans in the Detroit region and state.”
If this pattern holds true across other states and cities, this virus could have a catastrophic impact on Black people in this country.
The idea that this virus is an equal-opportunity killer must itself be killed.
And, we must dispense with the callous message that the best defense we have against the disease is something that each of us can control: We can all just stay home and keep social distance.
As a report last month by the Economic Policy Institute pointed out, “less than one in five Black workers and roughly one in six Hispanic workers are able to work from home.”’
Local
Tracking
COVID-19 cases graph is available in this google doc
From Marty Hiller: I moved this graph online, so you can check it yourself for updates instead of posting it every day. I added a second tab to the spreadsheet, showing Cortland County data. I was able to find historical data on the county health department's Facebook page. Let me know if you want to adopt a county to monitor, and I'll add you as an editor and help you set it up.
News
The Jungle: Update from Anna Kelles: All of the residents in the Jungle have been moved to another side of the Jungle away from the construction area. Advocates, outreach workers and volunteers have been building metal sheds and other shelter structures for the residents in the new space, which is, behind Lowes. Three port-a-Johns and 3 hand-washing stations have been placed at the entrance to Southwest Park, near Burger King for the Jungle residents to use. Second Wind Cottages has entered into a contract with Drain Brain to service this equipment. The City granted permission for this hygiene equipment to be placed on City property during the pandemic as a public health initiative. The unites can be moved to where they would be best utilized but hopefully remain in an area where it would be easy to access them for servicing. DASNY will begin construction staging tomorrow morning.
Transportation Services for People Needing to Get Tested: TCHD met with transportation providers to discussion options for transporting individuals to the sampling site at the Ithaca Mall. Currently they are working on outfitting a vehicle that will have a barrier between the rear seats and front seats to protect the driver from being exposed. The operation is still being planned out but is looking to be up and running by next week. They are still working on options for those with mobility issues possibly utilizing other means. They hope to have an announcement when all plans are in place and ready to execute.
Help Resources
Advocacy Center of Tompkins County: available to provide crisis, advocacy, supportive, and shelter services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence in our community. They have made adjustments to provide these services in line with recommendations from the Department of Health, World Health Organization, and Centers for Disease Control to promote the health of those we serve, our community, and our staff. Their 24 hour hotline remains open (607-277-5000) for emotional support, help with practical needs, and crisis intervention. Their confidential Domestic Violence Shelter remains open and staffed by a limited number of advocates. Please visit www.actompkins.org for regularly updated information. Visit their website for more information about the Advocacy Center's COVID 19 updates, and information with safety planning resources for people experiencing domestic violence during COVID. http://www.actompkins.org/get-help/covid-19-agency-updates/
Food
Trumansburg Main Street Market: is offering online shopping & home delivery (or curbside pick up). They have a variety of grocery options, with more being added daily. They are also offering this inspired idea for offering & receiving grocery donations:
"Pay-it-forward GIFT CARDS! If you have a little extra $$ that you want to pass on to someone who could use some groceries, while supporting a local small business, consider this:
1) If you want to GIVE: Go to our website, purchase a gift card (any amount), and have it emailed to tburgmainstmkt@gmail.com. I will save these cards, and give them to members of our community who reach out to me privately and could use some help with purchasing food!
2) If you need to RECEIVE: PLEASE EMAIL tburgmainstmkt@gmail.com. I will gladly help by using these donated gift cards to purchase food through our online ordering system for curbside pickup or home delivery!
Activities & Events
Mutual Aid Live Stream: Alex Mora: April 7, 8:00 - 8:50pm - Mutual Aid Tompkins is happy to organize and bring you live shows from our local entertainers every Tuesday. Let's chill out, hang out, and enjoy the great live entertainment our community has to offer. We are gonna expand your horizons and show off the diverse creative talent our community holds. Right now we are proud to present Alex Mora! Alex is asinger songwriter and producer. He makes music with rock, hip hop, and electronic influences. He also uses mindfulness practices to connect to music and sees the practice of music as a way to connect to the self and the sprit in us all.
Mutual Aid Livestream: DJ Evo Evolution: April 7, 9:00 - 9:50pm - Artist. Producer. Pilot of the new wave. The evolution of sound has arrived, presenting "EVO-evolution" for your entertainment expansion. EVO-evolution was born in Long Island, NY where it all began on Melody Lane. EVO-evolution took to music at an early age, experimenting with the trumpet before his passion for turntables and mixing solidified. EVO-evolution took to music at an early age, experimenting with the trumpet before his passion for turntables and mixing solidified.
Answers to Disaster Funding: April 6, 7, 10 - Business Leaders of Colors is hosting an online roundtable to discuss applying for Disaster Funding through the CARES Stimulus Act with Talia Watson, Biz Dev and Financial Consultant. She will give the inside scoop on each funding program, who is eligible, how best to apply, and tips & trick she has obtained from an SBA official. Additionally, we'll look at long term implications of these programs. The presentation will be followed by a roundtable Q&A where any attendee can voice their questions. Join the conversation: https://join.me/talia.watson
or Call in to: +1 425-436-6342
Our Heart Beats as One for Downtown Ithaca: April 9, 16, 23, 30 - In the midst of the COVID-19 closures and limitations, our beloved downtown small businesses have experienced a tremendous amount of upheaval. But they have also been working non-stop to ensure they stay connected to you, their community! And they really need all our support at this time. Details about how you can help ensure that various local establishments stay in the heart of our community during this uncertain period will be posted here on an ongoing basis. Keep the heartbeat of downtown Ithaca going by supporting local! See our website www.downtownithaca.com for these listings at a glance as well. Be sure to check back here for more details as they develop. We appreciate your patience as we add the most up to date information here as quickly as we can. Please be sure to check in with local businesses directly if you have any questions or inquiries about their most current updates.
Mask Making
SewGreen is open for business and selling mask making materials: As such, local sewing supply store SewGreen has received "essential service" status from New York State for sewing machine sales and service, with curbside pickup or delivery.
State
NY State Pause Extended to April 29: Gov. Cuomo announces schools and non-essential businesses to remain closed until April 29.
General Help & Information
Assurance Wireless Lifeline: To help ease the burden during the COVID19 virus all Assurance Wireless Lifeline customers, through May 20, 2020 will receive: Free Unlimited Calls, Free Unlimited Texts, Plus an additional 6GB Data FREE https://www.assurancewireless.com/ Find all the details: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E8M5qCitAVpJO9gsxy0zNDyIgJwrFj08/view?usp=sharing
Practical Home Care for COVID19: This collection of resources is created with the help and advice of those who have been infected with covid-19 and recovered at home.
