Delaware 2-1-1, which connects residents to services including mental health counseling, emergency housing, and food and transportation, is expanding its hours of operation to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. State emergency management officials also announced plans for an alternate care site to handle overflow patients from Kent and Sussex counties during the upcoming expected surge in COVID-19 cases.
In a radio interview, patient-advocate and nonprofit founder Emily Kramer-Golinkoff said that people with cystic fibrosis, a condition that affects the lungs and digestive system, must be extremely cautious to avoid contracting COVID-19. Kramer-Golinkoff said she hopes the pandemic will draw public attention to research and drug development, fields of work that have not always received much notice.
Author and self-advocate Ben Mattlin writes that, many people in the disability community are weathering the pandemic with “a strong, stubborn vein of tenacity and even good humor.” While he identifies dangers – notably the chance of being denied life-saving medical equipment – he says that responses to the pandemic such as normalizing telecommuting could increase accessibility.
People with intellectual disabilities are having difficulty getting the in-home support they need as social distancing and financial shortages have significantly reduced the scope of direct support professionals. Many with jobs have trouble working from home with technology they may never have learned to use. Advocates and self-advocates say they must fight against discrimination – including reported cases of people with disabilities being denied needed medical equipment during shortages.
Gov. Carney expanded his emergency order regarding steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, banning all short-term rental units, including vacation homes, condos, Airbnb units, hotels and motels. Commercial lodging in Delaware will remain closed through May 15, or until the public health threat is eliminated. The order also closes pawn shops and electronics shops – including video game stores – and prohibits door-to-door solicitation.
