La Voz February 2021 - English

Page 1

FA R M

L A B O R

I N F O R M AT I O N

B U L L E T I N

Voice of the Fields California

February 2021

FREE

Volume 31, Number 2

COVID-19 Updates

Uninsured? Undocumented? Resources Are Available

ver 3 million people in California are currently infected with COVID-19 and the overwhelming majority of counties are assigned to the highest risk level tiers with widespread cases. Since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly half a million people have lost their lives to COVID-19 across the United States. January was the deadliest month so far as 95,000 people lost their battle with the virus. Despite these depressing numbers, there is an upside. Vaccine distribution is well underway and holds promising results for slowing the spread of coronavirus. In California, over five million people have already been vaccinated. There is still a long way left to go to vaccinate all forty million Californians, but every day we are one step closer to a safer environment.

As we near the year-mark of the start of shutdowns, stay-at-home orders, and quarantines, it’s an understatement to say that we are tired. We are dealing with unreasonable amounts of stress and we are ready for this experience to be behind us. The good news is that there is finally a light at the end of this long tunnel. People are being vaccinated across the U.S. at a rate of about 2 million per day, and at that pace, everyone living in the U.S. will hopefully be vaccinated by July 2021. In the meantime, we can all do our part to ensure that numbers don’t skyrocket again by not gathering with those outside of our household, following safety protocols like mask-wearing, handwashing, and social distancing, and participating in free services like COVID-19 testing and ultimately, COVID-19 vaccination.

California Immigrant Resilience Fund

Statewide Hotlines and County Information

available in your area like housing, physical and mental health referrals and crisis interventions. Calling 211 is free and information is available in English and Spanish. The state also has a hotline available to answer any questions about CA Notify, California’s alert system for those who came in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Services are available Monday - Sunday from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m at 1-888-421-9457 (888-4C19-HLP)

O

California has a COVID-19-specific hotline for any questions you may have about the virus, testing, vaccinations, or other resources. You can trust that this hotline has the most up to date, accurate information in English and Spanish. Services are available 7 days per week, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., and SaturdaySunday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m at 1-833-422-4255 (833-4CA-4ALL) Add CA Notify to your phone now to stop the spread of COVID-19. Your information is private and your location is never tracked. Apple Users: Go to your “Settings” and enable “Exposure Notifications” Android Users: Download the CA Notify app in the Google Play Store Resources and services vary by community and county in California. That’s why the state created the 211 information line for all Californians to inquire about resources available in your area. You can call 211 anytime to find out about a variety of information - from medical services to food and employment assistance, disaster preparedness, recovery, and so much more. Information is not limited to COVID-19 resources only. There is a lot of information about many different forms of aid

My Turn: Vaccine Availability in CA

California created a state website called My Turn which allows people to check their eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination. Individuals can also schedule appointments for the vaccine if they are eligible or sign up to receive updates about the vaccine. Some counties have already begun vaccinating food and agriculture workers while others are still working on vaccinating healthcare workers and first responders. You will NOT be asked about your immigration status. You may be asked to provide a pay stub or another form of documentation to confirm your employment in the food and agriculture sector, though many people have not been asked for this information. Check your eligibility to receive the vaccine in English or Spanish at: myturn.ca.gov. My Turn is now available in Spanish online or over the phone at 1-833-422-4255.

Many benefits can be accessed in California regardless of immigration status. If you need a COVID-19 test or treatment, the government will pay for your services even if you are undocumented and don’t have insurance. Also, Medi-Cal care for COVID-19 testing or treatment does not count under the public charge rule, meaning that using these services will not keep you from getting a green card.

The California Immigrant Resilience Fund raised over $75 million for undocumented Californians that are not eligible for certain COVID-19 programs. This fund works with local organizations across the state and provides cash assistance directly to individuals who need it. If you are undocumented and need cash assistance because you cannot access other COVID-19 resources, visit the CA Resilience fund website to see if you can benefit from this program. The fund works directly with local organizations so you will need to select the region of California you live in, then apply directly to one of the local organizations that distributes funds on CA Immigrant Resilience Fund’s behalf. Right now, some organizations have long waiting lists, but it’s still worth checking to see what is available in your area. Website: www.immigrantfundca.org/aboutlocal-partners

Housing for the Harvest

If you are an agricultural worker and need to quarantine because you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or tested positive for the virus, the state will temporarily house you in a hotel room, free of charge. Services vary by county, but most counties also offer free transportation to and from work, free meals, and some even offer cash assistance and other resources in addition to a hotel room. To access this program, you must meet the requirements below: You are an agricultural worker tested positive for COVID-19

rent home (example: farmworkers who live in shared housing and cannot remove themselves from other people in their living space.)


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.