Together, We Respond to COVID-19
“You are my lifeline support. Thank you!”
That’s what one of our CarePartners living with HIV said to us over the phone this morning.
With your support, we are a care and support provider for 400 Tucsonans living with HIV. Our CarePartners are among the most vulnerable in this public health crisis—all with compromised immune systems, most over the age of 55, most living without sufficient financial resources, and many with additional medical issues that put them at greater risk.
Thank you for making it possible for us to continue to support our CarePartners with HIV. When you support TIHAN, you are helping people in need, as well as addressing this immense public health challenge.
We are concerned about what a significant outbreak of COVID-19 could mean for people living with HIV and other vulnerable people in our community. People with HIV face higher risks of contracting COVID-19 and/or experiencing life-threatening complications, particularly if they are over the age of 65 and/or have additional medical conditions.
Throughout our history, our community has always come together during times of crisis. During this critical time, physical distancing and avoiding group gatherings can make an impact in slowing the spread of the virus. We may be limited in physical contact right now but we are united in our care and concern for each other, especially our most vulnerable.
We all crave connection, which makes these current circumstances more challenging. HIV is too often accompanied by greater isolation. So now–more than ever–we need to make sure we are being mindful of each other, especially those of us who are most at-risk.
That’s why we are continuing to serve as we can, while temporarily adjusting some of our programs and services to meet community needs.
Actions We Are Taking
We are continuing to provide support services as we are able, and taking action to protect the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, CarePartners living with HIV, and our community.
TIHAN’s staff is still hard at work, along with volunteers, reaching out to the 400 people actively enrolled in our programs, checking in with them and offering our support during these challenging times.
We are taking steps to protect each other, including limiting contact, enhancing hygiene protocols, and closely monitoring updates from federal, state, and local officials.
In the meantime, we ask that everyone adhere to the following recommendations and be aware of the steps that we are taking. Following guidance from public health officials, we have implemented these steps to safeguard the health of our CarePartners, volunteers, and staff while preserving our core services:
- All meetings are being provided virtually, or being postponed. While we deeply value the work we do together, we are called at this time to honor the request to “flatten the curve” by limiting physical contact. Our intent is to minimize the number of people in our office to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
- We are requiring anyone with a fever, cough, or sore throat to stay home. And we’re following the CDC and recommending that people in these categories stay home:
* people who have a heart condition, lung disease, diabetes, or any other serious health condition,
* people who are older (CDC is stating over the age of 65), and
* people who have come in contact with someone who is presumed or confirmed to have COVID-19. - We recommend that volunteers who are over 65 or who have underlying health challenges NOT volunteer in person until this crisis is over, per CDC guidance. We hope to identify things that volunteers can do from home to help.
- We’re reminding all staff and volunteers to follow standard precautions, including frequent hand washing. And we’re increasing the scope and frequency of cleaning of common areas at the TIHAN office, taking extra-ordinary measures to sanitize our facilities and implement infection control protocols.
- We are “locking down” our office, but we are continuing to provide support to our CarePartners via minimal-contact “grab and go” opportunities and by phone; and we’re also available to accept quick “drop and go” donations, during our regular office hours of Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm.
- All services, appointments, and requests for support will be handled by the telephone, including social support, information and referral, check-in calls, and requests for financial assistance. Since some of our CarePartners do not have phones, or may be out of minutes for their phone plan, we are devising other safe ways to communicate and provide support. Any in-person appointments that cannot be carried out by phone will involve a screening for exposure to, and symptoms of, COVID-19.
- The CarePackages and Poz Café meals that are so important to our CarePartners will now be provided in a “grab and go” format, and a limited number of volunteers will be providing home delivery (quick drop off at doorstep) to people without transportation, people who are in self-isolation, and people who are not feeling well.
Due to the close contact involved, and the lack of availability of supplies/services outside of TIHAN, the following programs and services are on hold at this time:
CareTeam Support
Living Well with HIV Classes
Transportation Support
Furniture Vouchers
Haircuts at English Salon Spa
We’ve been busy calling our CarePartners. We are creating new ways to engage CarePartners and offer them our support. We are closely monitoring this crisis and assessing needs, while making sure our community knows we’re here for you as much as we safely can be.
Resources for You
Here’s a link to the Pima County Health Department website with up-to-date information on what is happening locally. Additionally, the State of Arizona now has a COVID-19 hotline available (in English and Spanish), staffed 7 days a week from 8am-8pm – this resource is available by dialing 211.
For information from the US Dept of Health and Human Services re how COVID-19 impacts people living with HIV, please click this link: “Interim Guidance for COVID-19 and People with HIV.”
How You Can Help
The news is changing by the minute. One thing remains: our mission and work is needed now more than ever. Here’s how you can help:
Your financial contributions are greatly appreciated and needed. By making a donation before April 15, you can receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit for your gift, up to $400 for an individual or $800 for a couple filing jointly on your tax return for 2019.
* You can make your secure, online gift here. Gifts made online will receive immediate acknowledgment through an email receipt that you can use for tax purposes.
* Donations can also be sent to TIHAN, 2660 North 1st Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85719.
CarePackage supplies are greatly needed – especially high-demand donations of liquid hand soap, disinfecting wipes, facial tissue, and hand sanitizer. We also need all the usual items that we include in care packages for people with HIV – including soap, shampoo, toilet tissue, cleaning supplies, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, disposable razors, lotion, conditioner, paper towels, laundry detergent, dish detergent, as well as feminine hygiene products.
Like so many in our community, we are concerned that our fundraising efforts will be impacted, putting our programs and our people at greater risk. Your continued generosity to us is greatly appreciated.
Going Forward, Together
We continue closely monitoring government recommendations regarding safety in the face of this pandemic. We are looking out for the the health and safety of our CarePartners living with HIV and their families, as well as our staff, volunteers, and all members of our community.
A sense of resolve is crucial in times of great adversity. We are facing unprecedented challenges, but the unity of our community will help us get through this. Thank you for partnering with us to protect the health and well-being of each other, as we continue to help people with HIV to live as well as possible.
We aren’t sure what is to come, but we can tell you that serving people with HIV and taking care of our volunteers and staff during this time of crisis is our top priority. As always, we’ll be here to partner with you to make an impact in the lives of our people.
Together, we are and will continue to be part of the health, recovery, and collaborative spirit of our community.
Be well and be safe. Know that we’re sending you a virtual hug to express our appreciation. And know that we’re looking forward to seeing you soon!
Scott Blades
Executive Director
