OFFICIAL COVID-19 STATEMENT

DeDearest OTV Community

Dearest OTV Community,

As we collectively work to limit exposure, we ask that you remain diligent and practice kinship by joining us in taking the following steps to protect each other:

  1. Stay home! If able please stay home, or where you feel brave. Stay home until your symptoms have subsided if you have symptoms of respiratory illness—fever, cough, shortness of breath. Consult a healthcare provider. People who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home until they are free of fever (100.4°F) for at least 24 hours.

  2. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds! Tip: Hum the chorus of My Neck, My Back, or the intro to Bickenhead while you lather.

  3. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers & disinfectants that contain at least 60% alcohol when traveling or commuting. 

  4. Cover your cough or sneeze into a tissue. Fully clamp the inside of your elbow over your mouth. Discard used tissues immediately. Wash hands and inner elbows. Repeat. 

  5. Use EPA Approved Cleaning Products.

  6. Masks and gloves are primarily recommended for health-care professionals, those caring for someone with COVID-19, or anyone with coughing symptoms. Have a feeling we’re speaking to the wrong audience, but do not hoard and resale these items. We are better than emergency-opportunists! 

  7. Practice social distancing. Avoid direct contact including handshakes, high-fives, daps, hugs, and kisses. Most sources recommend six feet as a safe distance, or approximately the wing-span of Naomi Campbell. 

  8. Break away from the pack. Opt out of social gatherings, and be mindful of your space. Utilize alternate forms of greeting to convene remotely—with us preferably. Please stay away from social gatherings and events with more than 50 people in capacity. Abide local ordinances!

  9. Develop a healthy meditative practice that allows you to cultivate space to breathe easy. Be easy and mindful of your mental and emotional needs during the next few weeks. 

  10. Ask for consent to begin engaging in discussion or sending articles, media, or other content about the current state of affairs.

  11. Remember coronavirus is not specific to any race, ethnicity, or nationality. Be mindful of stigma and shame regarding health and wellness. Welcome back those quarantined upon recovery, and show compassion for neighbors and loved ones with immune-deficiencies. 

  12. Did we mention wash your hands?

To reduce the spread of misinformation and fear-mongering, we have provided a few resources for those who wish to explore them.  

In solidarity, we will continue our commitment to creating and sharing original programming for connectedness and digital engagement. We hope you will join us remotely on April 7th for OTV Tonight! 

With Care, 

The Tribe at Open Television 

OTV CORONAVIRUS RESOURCE SHEET 

Novel COVID-19 Digital Resource Centers

  1. CDC Coronavirus Index

  2. Illinois Department of Public Health

  3. UChicago Medicine Frequently Asked Questions About Treatment & Testing

  4. UIC Frequently Asked COVID-19 Questions

  5. John Hopkins Coronavrius Resource Center 

  6. Harvard Coronavirus Resource Center 

  7. US Travel Advisory 

  8. NIH Coronavirus

  9. COVID Tracking

Health + Wellness Resources 

  1. My Rush App Web Visit 

  2. Free Calming Resources 

Emergency Resources 

  1. Creative Capital Emergency Grants

  2. Freelance Artist Resources

  3. Creator Fund 

  4. COVID-19 Trans/Queer Relief Form 

  5. 60 Days of Free Internet Service for Low-Income Families

  6. 3Arts Emergency Resources for Artists

  7. Chicago Emergency Rental Assistance 

  8. USBG National Charity Foundation Bartender Emergency Assistance Program

  9. SBA Disaster Loans for Small Businesses

  10. Illinois Artists of Color Emergency Grants

  11. Crossroads Fund Emergency Fund

  12. One Fair Wage Tipped/Service Worker Support Fund

  13. Arts & Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund

  14. Illinois COVID Unemployment Benefits

  15. Artist Relief

  16. Arts for Illinois Relief Fund

  17. Pop Culture Collaborative Relief Funds

Petition Chicago

  1. Find Your Representatives, and tell them to head the recommendations of the NLIHC 

  2. Demands from Grassroots Organizers Concerning COVID

  3. Petition to Pritzker to Suspend Rent, Mortgage, and Utility During Coronavirus   

  4. Chicago Coalition for Homelessness Recommendations for State and Local COVID-19 

  5. ACLU COVID 19 Prisons 

Donate Chicago 

  1. Chicago Community COVID-19 Fund

  2. The Port Ministries Back of the Yards Free Clinic

  3. Critical Response Fund 

  4. GO FUND ME: Chicago Artists Relief Fund 

  5. I Grow Chicago, Englewood COVID Response

  6. Kelly Hayes COVID-19 Hardship and Help Page 

  7. My Block, My Hood, My City Viral Response: Care Packages for Seniors

Housing for Chicago’s Homeless

  1. The Night Ministry  

  2. Chicago Coalition for Homelessness 

  3. Teen Living Programs 

  4. Project Fierce Chicago

  5. La Casa Nortre

  6. A Safe Haven

Donate US + Global 

  1. CDC Fund 

  2. AmericaCares Global Response Fund 

  3. Support Refugees Across the Globe 

  4. One Fair Wage: Support Workers in Crisis 

  5. Art Leaders of Color Emergency Fund

  1. National Domestic Workers Alliance

  1. No Kids Hungry 

  2. Sanders Campaign: COVID-19 Charities 


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