COVID-19 Facts

Use reputable news sources to get the real facts and data on COVID-19. Below are some of the best ways to keep up-to-date on the latest national and local developments.

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• Illinois COVID-19 Response: Includes a resource page, with helpful information for:

  • Families and Children

  • Seniors

  • Medical Providers and Facilities

  • Businesses

  • Economic Assistance

  • Volunteer Opportunities

• Center for Disease Control

• Illinois Department of Public Health

• DuPage County

• Will County

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Domestic Violence

Illinois' shelter-in-place order is absolutely necessary and has started showing signs of bending the curve. But it can also carry new dangers for people experiencing domestic violence. Survivors can connect with assistance, including shelter, by calling the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-877-863-6338.

 

Financial Well-Being

Janet's colleagues at Morningstar have published a number of free articles to help investors navigte the market turmoil. You can find them here: Corona Virus and the Markets. There are no easy answers, but patience and a long-term mindset help.

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Grocery Store Special Hours

Grocery shopping can feel especially stressful if you’re in a group that’s more susceptible to COVID-19. Here are some of our area stores that have set aside special hours for at-risk shoppers--like those who are older or immunocompromised. The smaller independents may not have special hours, but they’re usually well stocked, and we’ve listed their less busy hours, too.

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The Illinois Retail Merchant Association maintains an up-to-date list of retailers providing special hours for at-risk groups.

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Health Insurance

Many Illinoisans are finding themselves not only out of work but without health insurance. A special enrollment period is available within 60 days of losing job-based health insurance through getcovered.illinois.gov/

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Masks

Masks help slow the spread of COVID-19, protecting you and those around you. Members of the general public shouldn't use N95 masks --these are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders. Instead, the Center for Disease Control recommends that members of the public use simple cloth face coverings.

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• How Not to Wear a Mask: Make sure your mask is tight around your face, with your nose and chin covered.

• Properly putting on and removing your mask

• DIY Mask Instructions: Illustrated instructions and a template from the NY Times made with common household items.

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Racism, Stigma, and COVID-19

The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in abhorrent increases of racism and harassment against Asian Americans. The sites below aim to proactively address these trends by tracking these attacks and helping parents and caregivers address the issues with their children.

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• Reporting Racism Incidents in Illinois: Report discrimination and hate crime incidents to Attorney General Kwame Raoul's Office via this form, by email at CivilRights@atg.state.il.us, or through the Civil Rights Hotline at 1-877-581-3692.

• Reporting Racism Incidents Nationally: A reporting center launched by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council to track the incidents of COVID-19-related racism and harassment against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

• Tips for Parents and Caregivers: Age- and developmentally appropriate-ways for parents and caregivers to counter racism and stigma stemming from COVID-19, from the National Association of School Psychologists.

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Students and Learning

• EpicBooks: Online access to thousands of e-books 

• RazKids: Collection of online books/games/lessons. Can tailor to kids reading level.

• Scholastic: Learn at home projects and reading.

• DuoLingo: Foreign language learning.

• Storyline Online: Animated YouTube videos of celebrities reading children's books.

• NewsELA: Articles/activities/question sets relevant to current event topics.

• Khan Academy: Free lessons in science, math, and humanities.

• BrainPop: Animated video lessons, worksheets, and activities.

• Lego: A downloadable 30-day lego challenge.

• Big History Project: This is a free online social studies curriculum.

• Chrome Music Lab: Makes learning music more accessible through fun, hands-on experiments.

• British Museum Online: Traveling through the galleries of the British Museum by time and continent.

• Wide Open School: A free collection of the best online learning experiences for kids curated by the editors at Common Sense.

• COVIbook: An e-book that invites families to discuss the full range of emotions arising from the current situation.