During this unprecedented time, we’re addressing the urgent concerns women are facing. There are actions women can take to stay healthy and ways to help others and to make a difference in the world. We’ve gathered:

HOW TO HELP

A great way to help: Join a mutual aid group—or create your own. Across the US and the world, people are banding together to supply food, staples and social interaction for those in need. Fast Company writes about self-formed mutual aid groups, while WAMU in Washington, DC, tells how to do it—think spreadsheets, Facebook and GoFundMe pages—and the Baltimore Sun highlights Marylanders who are making a difference.

 

NONPROFITS

Feeding America: This national nonprofit helps local food banks respond to the crisis. 

Meals on Wheels: This organization delivers meals to the country’s elderly population. Many of its local programs are struggling with the additional costs of delivering meals during the outbreak. 

No Kid Hungry: With coronavirus forcing mass school closures across the country, millions of children are losing the daily meals they depend on. No Kid Hungry sends emergency grants to food banks and

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy: This organization, which supports nonprofits worldwide, has a COVID-19 Response Fund.

Vital Voices:  Dedicated to creating women leaders worldwide, Vital Voices is helping empower women at this time of crisis.

National Domestic Workers Alliance:  Did you know that over 93% of domestic workers are women? Founded in 2007, NDWA works on behalf of domestic workers, the majority of whom are immigrants and women of color.      

Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation: Restaurant workers make up 10 percent of America’s workforce, and they are among the country's most vulnerable populations. 

Save the Children: In the U.S. and around the world, Save the Children does whatever it takes to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. 

Giving Children Hope: This community-driven nonprofit equips front-line partners with resources to serve vulnerable children and families.

Cerf Plus: This emergency relief fund helps self-employed artists and crafts people

United Way: United Way works for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. There are 1800 local chapters that can direct you to getting help in your area. 

CARE: This humanitarian organization providES disaster relief to areas in crisis, while providing long-term solutions to poverty around the world. 

Heart to Heart International: It strengthens communities by improving health access, providing humanitarian development and administering crisis relief through the distribution of critical medicines to our partners here and around the world.

Global Giving: This nonprofit connects donors with grassroots projects around the world. They feature crowd sourcing for international and local charities confronting the coronavirus outbreak.

Oxfam: Oxfam is a global organization working to end the injustice of poverty. It helps people build better futures for themselves, holds the powerful accountable, and saves lives in disasters. 

INFO AND TIPS

Is it safe to eat takeout food?—and other questions answered: The Wall Street Journal answers reader queries.

Understanding how long coronavirus germs last: The New York Times shares the latest info—that the virus can live up to three days on some surfaces—and offers practical advice on how you can avoid being infected.

Ways to stay connected in the days of social distancing: Social media, and organized family activities like game nights, are so important right now, says NPR, and offers activities to emulate.

Pregnancy and coronavirus: What to know: Harvard Health looks at the factors. 

You can still take a walk. Here’s how to do it safely: New York magazine has tips to keep us exercising.

What the coronavirus test is like, and how to handle symptoms: USA Today has a piece on what to expect when you get tested, and Vox tells what to do if you have symptoms.

How to explain coronavirus to children:  NPR’s Malaka Gharib created a comic book that tells children all about coronavirus. with its charming illustrations and practical advice, it’s been a big hit and has been translated into Chinese, Braille, German, Italian and Spanish, among others. You can print out the comic here. And you can read the full comic here.

Preparing for a lockdown: How to get ready: Foreign Policy offers advice based on countries that have already experienced this.

Advice from women on staying positive: Thrive Global pulls together words of wisdom to keep you upbeat and forward-looking during the pandemic.

100 things to do while stuck inside due to a pandemic: Here are 100 ways to avoid going stir crazy indoors, from USA Today.

How to save your relationship during a quarantine: Refinery 29 offers advice on getting past the challenges of too much togetherness.

SENECA WOMEN PODCASTS - SPECIAL EDITION: CORONAVIRUS

Seneca Women Podcast Network has launched bonus episodes of our flagship series, Seneca Women Conversations on Power and Purpose. Special Edition: Coronavirus answers the many questions everyone has. 

UC Berkeley’s Emiliana Simon-Thomas on The Science of Happiness During Difficult Times

Ruth Glenn, CEO of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence on What’s Behind the New Surge in Domestic Violence

Former Treasury Department official Mary Miller on The New Economic Reality and What It Means for Women.

Vital Voices CEO Alyse Nelson on The Resilience of Women

Educator  Mary Brant on What Parents Need to Know About At-Home Learning

Dr. Nicole Seminara on Why She Started Masks4Medicine and How You Can Help Frontline Medical Workers

Grameen America CEO Andrea Jung on How Microlending is Helping Women Entrepreneurs

Psychologist Laura Kasper on the Relationship Stress Test

Commissioner Sharon Bowen on Getting Past the Financial Crisis

Dietitian Malina Malkani on Eating to Stay Healthy

Meridith Maskara, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater New York,  on Why the Girl Scouts Give Us All Hope  

Psychologist, Dr. Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek on Caring for Kids

Psychiatrist Dr. Gail Saltz on Managing Stress and Anxiety

Ambassador Melanne Verveer on the Global Impact on Women

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Vanessa Raabe on Staying Healthy

WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

A medical heroine who’s racing to save lives: Molecular geneticist Dr. Kate Broderick, at Inovio labs in California, is working hard and fast to develop a vaccine, reports Elle.

A group called Women’s Creative is helping small businesses in St. Louis: The organization is behind this idea to help local businesses tell the public what services they are offering during this time that you can take advantage of without putting yourself at risk. 

In Lebanon, women from a social enterprise are jumping in to make medical supplies: Members of the social enterprise Machghal el-Oum, these women have made over 1,000 coveralls to date. 

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