HIV Community Partners Letter COVID-19 – UPDATE
April 28, 2020 | Portland, OR
Dear Community Member,
We wrote to you a couple of weeks ago to let you know that all of our HIV organizations remain open and able to provide the services that you need and deserve. We are all available in different capacities and we encourage you to visit our websites, social media pages and call us. Our plan is to remain open during the Stay Home: Save Lives order and to continue to be here for you. We hope that you are finding ways to take care of yourselves during this time.
Many people are having a lot of feelings about how this virus and the changes in services could affect you, your family and community. We acknowledge that some of you may be having reactions to this pandemic that may be similar to how you felt when you were diagnosed with HIV whether that was recently or years ago and that for long-term survivors this time may trigger feelings of fear and abandonment. These feelings are valid and you are not alone. Please continue to focus on your health and well-being by taking breaks from the news, caring for your body, and connecting with others through phone and social media.
HIV Services are still open: Services around the state may look different for each organization, but we are still working to offer services to keep you insured, housed, and connected to care and support, mental health, psychiatry and your medications. Much of this work is by phone, telemedicine, My Chart (EPIC portal) and email. A few organizations do have some limited in person visits with physical distancing. All the HIV clinics around the State of Oregon have in-person visits for urgent medical need and essential lab services and virtual appointments for primary care, HIV care and gender care.
We encourage you to call or email your healthcare providers, medical case managers, housing case managers, community mental health providers, peer support, or navigators if you have any concerns about the services or benefits you receive or need information on services being provided during this time.
Loss of Income/Insurance: For those of you who have lost income and/or insurance through your employer, please contact your medical case manager or benefits navigator as soon as possible so that we can work with you to access insurance options, medical care and medications.
How long will this last?: We all have questions about how long we will have to physically distance and connect in this new way. The truth is, we don’t really know how long this will last. We do know that physical distancing is working. A recent communication from the Oregon Health Authority, they stated that “new projections from health researchers estimate that Oregon’s “aggressive” physical distancing measures have prevented as many as 18,000 cases of COVID-19 and 500 hospitalizations, however these restrictions must be maintained into May to prevent new cases from rising above current daily levels of active coronavirus cases.” Physical distancing is working and we need to continue doing our part to keep ourselves and our community safe.
Cloth Face Coverings: Last week the CDC recommended that everyone wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth when leaving their home if they are in spaces where they can’t maintain 6 feet distance from other people. An example would be on transit or in grocery stores. This does not replace the guidance to stay home except for essential trips. You can make a cloth face covering with a t-shirt, fabric or bandana and rubber bands/hairbands. Here are some ideas from the CDC. Medical masks are in short supply and should be reserved for health care workers. We are aware that for Black, Indigenous and People of Color the wearing of a cloth face covering, historically and today, has been perceived negatively by segments of society and resulted in discrimination, racism, and violence. No person should be fearful of engaging in daily life activities, especially as they engage in services necessary for their health. We acknowledge the pain of racism. Understandably, discussing these experiences is difficult and isolating, we value your safety and stand ready to listen and help.
In an effort to stay in touch with you we will periodically be reaching out to provide you updates. For accurate information on COVID-19 & HIV, see these FAQs in both English and Spanish. We continue to recommend the following websites for up to date and accurate information: Multnomah County, Oregon Health Authority, or 211 for general questions about Coronavirus and for resources to help meet your basic needs.
Remember we are here to support you. We know what this community can do when there is a need, and we will continue to take lessons from the early days of the HIV epidemic and support each other through this time.
Call us, we can help,
Cascade AIDS Project, EOCIL, EMO HIV Day Center, HIV Alliance, Multnomah County HIV Clinic, Oregon Health Authority (including CAREAssist and OHOP), Our House of Portland, Quest Center for Integrative Health, Ryan White Part A & B, The Partnership Project
Please Note: You can also monitor information about each agency from our individual Facebook pages and websites.
https://www.facebook.com/CascadeAIDSProject/
https://www.facebook.com/EOCIL.org/
https://www.facebook.com/EMOHIVServices/
https://www.facebook.com/hivalliance/
https://www.facebook.com/MultCoHealth/
https://www.facebook.com/OregonHealthAuthority/
https://www.facebook.com/OurHousePDX/
https://www.facebook.com/Quest.Center/
https://www.facebook.com/ThePartnershipProject/
https://www.facebook.com/worldaidsdaynw/
About Cascade AIDS Project
Founded in 1985 as a grassroots response to the AIDS crisis, Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) is now the oldest and largest HIV-services and LGBTQ+ health provider in Oregon and southwest Washington, with more than 100 employees working across four locations. Our organization seeks to prevents new HIV infections; support low-income people living with HIV; and provide safe, welcoming, and knowledgeable healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community. Through our vital health, housing, and other social services, we help ensure the well-being of more than 15,000 people each year. More information can be found at www.capnw.org.
