Need help? Want to help? How to access Columbus resources during coronavirus outbreak

While state and federal leaders work to mitigate the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, local agencies and organizations are figuring out how to continue to serve citizens effectively in a rapidly changing environment.

With so much changing on a daily basis, it’s important to know where you can go to get help when needed, and how you can help others.

The Ledger-Enquirer has compiled a list of local resources to help.

Need help?

Get testing

One of the biggest questions floating around is how people who are experiencing symptoms should go about getting tested.

The Georgia Department of Public Health is advising that if you believe you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, contact your primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic by phone. It is not advised that you show up at an emergency room or healthcare facility unannounced.

In addition, the Department of Public Health’s West Central Health District received its first set of COVID-19 tests March 18. Due to a limited supply of tests, not everyone is able to be tested. In order to determine eligibility for a test, patients must be screened over the phone by health department officials.

The West Central Health District can be reached by phone at 706-321-6300.

In addition to the West Central Health District’s drive-thru testing, MercyMed is also offering COVID-19 testing. Patients who come to the MercyMed site must be screened by the health district. If the person meets the testing criteria, the health district will book a testing appointment with MercyMed.

Call 211

The United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley’s 24-hour hotline is always available for those seeking services such as homeless resources, housing, food assistance and other community outreach services. Dial 2-1-1 to talk to a live person who can help you navigate local services that may have changed hours of operation or service delivery in light of coronavirus concerns.

Find unemployment services

The Georgia Department of Labor has closed its career centers to the public as of March 18, but will continue to process unemployment claims and provide online resources at dol.georgia.gov, according to a press release. The DoL is encouraging filing for unemployment online, and is also providing assistance for filing a claim by phone. The Columbus career center that services Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart and Talbot counties can be reached at 706-649-7423.

Download the 311 app

Keeping up with Columbus Consolidated Government was recently made much easier with the launch of the Columbus 311 app. Citizens have had access to the 311 line in the past, which can still be dialed at 3-1-1 inside Columbus/Muscogee County or at 706-653-4000 outside the county.

The app gives citizens the ability to submit service requests and access other city services and information, which is especially handy now that a quick trip to the City Services Center is less feasible.

Search “Columbus311” in your app store to download the free app.

Follow local reputable news sources

The Ledger-Enquirer is working daily to bring you updates about how the coronavirus outbreak is affecting the Chattahoochee Valley. Check our website for the latest.

• For information on meals for kids, click here.
• For a list of local restaurants offering curbside pickup or delivery, click here.
• For a list of court operations that have been affected, click here.

Want to help?

First and foremost, stay home if you feel ill or have been exposed to someone exhibiting symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control have recommended social distancing to help lessen the spread of the virus.

Learn more about symptoms of the virus here.

If you’re able, here are a few ideas on how to help the community during this time:

Volunteer with Georgia’s health and medical volunteer program

According to the Georgia Department of Health, a program called Georgia Responds matches the skills and credentials of medical and non-medical volunteers to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Georgia.

To volunteer, visit dph.georgia.gov/georgia-responds and click “Register Now.” After registering, prospective volunteers’ skills and credentials will be reviewed and they will be notified by a DPH representative.

The DPH says medical volunteers may be used to answer medical questions on the COVID-19 hotline or assist at test specimen collection sites, while non-medical volunteers may be used in administrative rolls at either the call center or test collection sites, or provide interpretation or other skills as needed.

Donate to local organizations

The Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley recently set up a Coronavirus Response Fund, which along with the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, will provide “flexible resources to organizations in the Columbus area working with our most vulnerable citizens: members of communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) and the economic consequences of this outbreak,” according to president and CEO Betsy Covington. Donate or get more information here.

You can also check with local food banks and homeless shelters on how to best help them during this time. Don’t just show up, as they may be in need of specific items or have protocol for how donations can be made. Financial contribution may also be preferred at this time.

Another way to volunteer is with your time. To volunteer and help distribute free lunches to children while schools are closed due to the coronavirus, call Muscogee County School District nutrition director Susan Schlader at 706-748-3219 or email her at schlader.susan.c@muscogee.k12.ga.us.

Give blood

The American Red Cross is reporting a severe blood shortage “due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak,” according to its website. The organization is asking for healthy, eligible individuals to make appointments to safely donate blood during this time, which can be scheduled on the Red Cross website or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Individuals who have traveled to China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, Italy and South Korea are asked to postpone donations for 28 days, as well as anyone who has been diagnosed with or had contact with anyone with a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus.

Locally, Cascade Hills Church has organized an emergency blood drive to help with the shortage. The drive will be held from 1-7 p.m. March 23-25 at the Hills Student Center at 727 54th Street in Columbus. They ask that participants make an appointment by visiting redcrossblood.org and entering sponsor code “cascadehills” or calling the Red Cross.

Support local business

• Purchase a gift card to help tide them over. This way, you support their business now, and get to come back and dine in later. Some businesses might offer e-gift cards that don’t require you to go into the store at all, like Nonic and Jarfly.
• Most Columbus restaurants are still open but opting for curbside pickup or delivery options. If you want to continue supporting local restaurants while maintaining social distance, order curbside pickup or delivery, and tip generously.
• Check with your favorite local boutique or retail store and see if they offer online shopping, or order items by phone.
• Consider donating. Finances will be tough for everyone, but especially for those in the service industry. If you’re financially able to do so, consider contributing what you can to help keep local business afloat.

Foster a pet

The CDC has reported that there is no reason to believe animals might be a source of infection of the new coronavirus, and no evidence that pets can spread it. But with the rise of social distancing and work from home policies, there has been a decline in pet adoptions that will likely continue despite crowded conditions at animal shelters.

Shelters across the country have issued pleas for pet fosters, including Paws Humane Society, a Columbus animal shelter. Paws is asking for foster families for adoptable pets. Fostering means taking care of a pet until a permanent home can be found for it.

According to the Paws Facebook page, fostering saves two lives: “the one you foster and the one we can rescue because you helped make space for them to be saved.”

The shelter will provide all supplies needed and is currently conducting virtual home inspections due to coronavirus concerns. If you aren’t in a position to take on a pet temporarily, consider making a financial donation to the shelter of your choice.

Spread kindness and be patient

It’s a time of uncertainty for everyone, which means that kindness is key now more than ever. Be patient with the clerk at the grocery store, the neighbor with the rambunctious kids or the restaurant that closed for the safety of their workers. Now is a good time to call relatives and friends and offer moral support.

This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 5:00 AM.