The following are several resources that may be helpful as Richmond faces the coronavirus pandemic (updated 4/28/2020):

Healthcare and testing

Typical symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath. Call the Contra Costa Health Advice Nurse if you have emergency symptoms (these include: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest; new confusion or inability to arouse; bluish lips or face): 877-661-6230

West County Health Center in San Pablo (13601 San Pablo Avenue, San Pablo) will be offering free, drive-through testing, regardless of insurance, and by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 1-844-421-0804 for a confidential screening by a health professional. Hours of operation: Monday - Friday, from 8 am to 3:30 pm Testing results are available in three to five days.

CCC Health Services is accepting donations of personal protective equipment and supplies for health workers.

Wage replacement/ unemployment

Fact Sheet from Department of Labor explaining new employee paid leave benefits under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

State of California EDD COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions, with updated information on Disability and Paid Family Leave benefits, and Unemployment insurance benefits.

See also California EDD’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, which covers business owners, self-employed individuals, and independent contractors.

Richmond Rapid Response Fund, launched by the City and several non-profit partners can provide one-time payments of $500. RYSE has launched a COVID Care Fund to support youth and their families, while Asia Pacific Environmental Network has also created an Emergency Community Stabilization Fund.

Food                                                                                                                         

The West Contra Costa Unified School District has expanded its student meal program during the COVID-19 school closure, adding supper to the breakfast and lunch pick up. Children 18 years of age and younger, regardless of socio-economic status or school of attendance, can now pick up breakfast, lunch and supper from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 17 locations in the District. Volunteers are needed to assemble and distribute meals (sign up here).

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County provides 15-20 pounds of free fresh produce to low-income families and individuals twice a month at nine locations in Richmond. (Please bring two bags with handles.) They also provide groceries twice a month to low-income individuals aged 55 or older (at three locations). They are seeing a 50 percent increase in people attending their food distributions; they welcome volunteers in at their Concord warehouse, and are asking for monetary donations.

Housing

The City has a moratorium on evictions for tenants who can’t pay rent due to COVID-19 (tenants have to pay owed rent within six months after the period of emergency ends). Affected Tenants need to (1) notify Landlords in writing within 30 days of the date rent is due of their inability to pay rent and (2) state the ways in which they have been financially impacted and attach supporting documentation to support their claims. See sample letters that tenants can send their landlords in English and Spanish. See also a COVID-19 and Evictions Fact Sheet (English and Spanish). 

Childcare

Child care centers/homes are allowed to stay open to care for children of essential workers, including those working in gas stations, pharmacies, grocery stores, food banks, take-out and delivery, banks, laundry, agriculture, healthcare, transportation, communications, essential state and local government functions. Go to cocokids.org to find childcare. Families can also fill out a form for child care subsidy & paying for care. 

Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse has risen worldwide since the coronavirus. WOMAN, Inc. is a referral service for victims of domestic violence. They run a 24/7 hotline at 1-877-384-3578; http://www.womaninc.org

Hate crimes

If you have experienced or witnessed any anti-Asian hate crime in the wake of COVID-19 contact the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council at (213) 239-0300 or [email protected].

Register to Vote by Mail

Register to vote by mail with Contra Costa County. Richmond now has a permanent vote-by-mail box in the walk way in front of the City Council parking lot.