Click here to listen to The Critical Times' weekly stories about COVID-19's impact on the Florida Suncoast.

Please complete the form found here if you need assistance of any kind or if you can offer assistance to members of the community.

The COVID Racial Data Tracker is a collaboration between the COVID Tracking Project and the Antiracist Research & Policy Center. Together, we're gathering the most complete race and ethnicity data on COVID-19 in the United States.

Thanks to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation for their generous support of WSLR’s COVID-19 coverage.

The National Conference of State Legislatures brings you up-to-date, real-time information about bills related to and responding to COVID-19 that have been introduced in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

World Health Organization (WHO) Website FAQ

CDC Website

Florida Department of Health Website

Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) Website

The New York Times Coronavirus page

Sign up for a free daily coronavirus briefing from the New York Times here.

NPR's COVID-19 coverage

Avi Schiffmann's website tracking coronavirus has become one of the most vital resources for people seeking accurate and updated numbers on the pandemic. He's a 17-year-old high school junior from Mercer Island outside Seattle, who started the site in late December, when coronavirus had not yet been detected outside of China. Now the site has been visited by tens of millions, from every country on Earth. It tracks deaths, numbers of cases locally and globally, and provides an interactive map, information on the disease, and a Twitter feed. The resource updates every minute or so, and pulls information from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and elsewhere.

Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline and Email:

866-779-6121 (8am-5pm, Monday-Friday)

[email protected]

A Sarasota-specific call center for questions and concerns about COVID-19 is now available through the Department of Health in Sarasota County

941-861-2873. Subject matter experts are available Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. 

Sarasota Memorial Hospital COVID-19 Hotline:

941-917-8799

JUNE 12TH &13TH, 2021 :

The Sarasota Farmers Market will host a vaccine event on Saturday, June 12, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on State Street between Lemon and Orange Avenues. One dose of Johnson & Johnson will be offered for free to anyone 18 years of age and older.

Pfizer doses will be offered at Sacred Heart Parish Hall in Bradenton, 1220 15th Street West,

on Saturday, June 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice. Contact 941-748-2221 for more information.

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County will host a second dose Pfizer vaccine clinic for anyone 12 years of age and older on Saturday, June 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sarasota Square Mall at 8201 S Tamiami Trail. Moderna vaccines will also be available for those 18 and older.

The Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice will host a vaccine clinic with Pfizer doses at Holy Cross Parish Hall, 506 26th Street W., on Sunday, June 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 239-2703292 to learn more.

The Palmetto Bus Station 

1802 Eighth Ave. W. in Palmetto, 34221

The Manatee health department and the Florida Division of Emergency Management are operating the combined vaccine and COVID-19 testing site jointly. 

The new joint testing and vaccine site will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Health officials will offer both PCR and rapid COVID tests and Moderna vaccinations for free. Appointments are not necessary, but visitors should bring proof of Florida residency.

Other ways to get tested:

Sarasota Memorial Urgent Care Centers

CVS

Walgreens

America's Pharmacy

Ellenton Urgent Care

COVID 19 RESOURCES -- NEW as of 12/23/20

Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines - CDC

COVID-19 Vaccines in Florida - FL DOH

Information about Emerging Variant COVID-19 Strain - CDC

All Faiths Food Bank Food Distribution

The Food Bank of Manatee Food Distribution

PREVIOUS RESOURCES

Coronavirus Relief Fund Rental Assistance Program
United Way Suncoast Coronavirus Assistance Center
Paper Application Link to File for Unemployment in Florida
CareerSource Suncoast
Economic Injury Disaster Loan
Florida Business Damage Assessment Survey
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
Manatee Chamber of Commerce Job Focus
Manasota Black Chamber of Commerce
COVID-19 Resource Toolkit
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Provisions Related to Unemployment Compensation in the CARES Act
FAQ on the Bill's Rebates (Direct Cash Payments to Americans)
Explainer on How The Bill's Rebates Work in Terms of Social Security
Information for Small Businesses in the CARES Act
Small Business Relief Measures in the CARES Act
IRS Direct Cash Assistance Information
Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
Restaurant Workers Community Foundation
Consumer Guidance
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota
Re-Employment Assistance Service Center

Food for Kids

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried activated a text line and call center to find free meals for kids during the school closures. Text FLKIDSMEALS to 211-211 to find the closest participating Summer BreakSpot location with meals available. Residents can also call 2-1-1 to speak with a live operator for additional information. https://summerbreakspot.freshfromflorida.com

Library Hoopla

Hoopla, Hooray! Sarasota County Libraries has temporarily increased all Hoopla checkouts to 10! Get instant access to all your favorite movies, shows, music, books and audiobooks!

https://www.scgov.net/government/libraries/library-resources/library-app

Information on starting a Mutual Aid Network

For answers to questions about COVID-19, visit the World Health Organization Website.

What is COVID-19?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 is a recently discovered coronavirus that can cause respiratory infection. 

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.

Who is most at risk?

Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

How does COVID-19 spread?

As of March 2020, the disease is known to spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.

Can someone without symptoms spread COVID-19?

The main way the disease spreads is through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing. The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms.

What are the best ways to protect myself and others?

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Maintain social distancing by limiting your contact with those who are coughing or sneezing, and staying home as much as possible especially when sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands.
• When you cough or sneeze, be sure to cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash your hands.
• Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call your health care provider in advance.
• Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

The Critical Times team is committed to coming together in this time of stress and anxiety, as it is clear that one of the most important things we can do as a community is take care of each other. Across the country, and the world, we have seen what is possible when we come together to share resources, knowledge, and creativity. Our job is to keep our community informed of critical news developments, and that is what we will continue to do. Below are some community-centered resources, compiled by the Urbana-Champaign Indy Media Center.

• YES! Magazine’s article on Facing COVID-19 with Community Instead of Fear.
• Leah Piepzna-Samarasinha’s comprehensive article with extensive information on health and prevention, emergency readiness, and mutual aid: “Half Assed Disabled Prepper Tips for Preparing for a Coronavirus Quarantine” Because it’s long, here is a topic list for you:

• Water: page 3
• Food: page 6
• Prep list: page 9
• Cleaning: page 11
• Meds, Health, and Disabilities: 12
• List of external articles she suggests: page 14 

• Mutual aid info: end of page 14, and including Pod Mapping for Mutual Aid.

• Immediately start social-distancing practices
• Prepare yourself on a logistical level
• Prepare your emotional and community support network
• Optimize your own psychological and physical health to boost your immunity and your resilience
• Start looking for the opportunities of what you can do at home, which helps so you don’t feel bored and anxious
• Get involved in improve-the-world opportunities that this extended break from business-as-usual will provide

What should I do if I have symptoms or have been exposed?

• Call your healthcare provider, or call before going to the emergency room.
• The Washington State Department of Health has guidance available for people who have or think they may have COVID-19:
• What to do if you have confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19

How do I get tested?

• If you have symptoms, call your healthcare provider. Your healthcare professional will work with your county health department to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
• According to the Florida Department of Health, a person who is tested will have three specimens taken: oral, nasal, and saliva. The samples will be given to the county health department, who will then either ship or deliver them to the closest state laboratory. If a specimen is tested positive, it will be identified as ‘presumptive positive’ until the result is confirmed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For more information on COVID-19 testing see CDC Tests for COVID-19.