Here at Alabama Arise, we share the uncertainty and worry that many of you may feel about COVID-19 and how best to prepare ourselves, help our neighbors and speak out for adequate resources and aid.

Our first priority is the physical and mental health and safety of our members, partners and staff, and of people living in poverty. More than 46% of adults in Alabama are at higher risk of developing serious illness if infected by COVID-19. And we believe dramatic and immediate behavioral changes will be necessary to help protect vulnerable people from infection.

As a result, we are following health experts’ social distancing recommendations. All staff will be working from home for the foreseeable future. We also will cancel travel plans and will conduct meetings via phone or videoconference where possible.

We’ve arranged to answer calls to our office phone number during workdays. For now, though, email is the surest way to reach us. You can find staff members’ email addresses here.

Despite these short-term adjustments, we remain extremely involved in ongoing policy analysis. And we remain committed to advocating, educating and organizing our communities to speak out for what is most needed.

Looking ahead

We are not sure how long these social isolation measures will remain in place. We recognize that most of the people we advocate for and with do not have the luxury of being able to work from home. This crisis will likely have catastrophic impacts on low-wage workers and low-income communities, worsening social and economic inequality.

As we consider how Alabama should respond to this crisis and the longer-term challenges it brings, please let us know how we can help you be a part of the conversation. That may be through timely policy information or analysis, targeted action alerts, remote convenings or other support.

Please take care of yourself, and each other. Thank you for all you do as we continue to work together to improve policies for people in poverty.

Ways to make a difference:

• Ask U.S. Sens. Doug Jones and Richard Shelby to support the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
• Review our list of seven policy recommendations for our state and federal officials to consider immediately. And stay tuned in for additional action alerts in the days and weeks to come.
• Donate to COVID-19 relief funds or volunteer via the United Way of Central Alabama.

What to do if you need help:

• If you have a primary care doctor and think you may have coronavirus, contact your doctor for more information.
• If you don’t have a health care provider or health insurance and think you may need to be tested for coronavirus, call the Alabama Department of Public Health’s hotline at 888-264-2256 for guidance.
• Call 2-1-1 if you require immediate financial assistance.