COVID-19 Helpful Links & Resources
Dear Readers,
We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. For your convenience, we have compiled the following list of helpful links. For additional resources, please call 2-1-1 or visit the United Way’s website.
Best wishes,
Don’t see a resource? Send an email to [email protected].
COVID-19 Vaccine Information & Registration
The COVID-19 Vaccine is being distributed in priority order at no cost. Supplies are limited. If you need to receive the vaccine from your local health department, click the following link, then scroll down to your category and complete the registration form.
West Georgia Residents: Click here.
COVID-19 Tracking & News
Track COVID-19 coronavirus cases with active, recoveries and death rates. The following websites include maps, daily news, and video.
COVID-19 Map: Johns Hopkins Resource Center
COVID-19 Symptom Checker: Emory University
Updates by State Department of Health:
Georgia Family Connection Partnership: Updates & Resources
Georgia Hospital Resource Report: Resource Saturation and Bed Status issues
WRBL NEWS 3: Coronavirus Coverage
WTVM News Leader: Coronavirus Coverage
Ledger-Enquirer: Coronavirus Live Updates
COVID-19 Testing
MercyMed of Columbus: (706) 507-9209 and select option 1 to leave a message for the COVID scheduling team. (Note: Drive-up COVID-19 rapid testing is available by appointment only at its 2nd Avenue location.)
IACT Health: 706-321-0495 (Note: COVID-19 rapid testing is available by appointment only at its 800 Talbotton Road location.)
For other COVID-19 testing resources, contact your local health department.
- Columbus Health Department: (706) 321-6300
- Russell County Health Department: (334) 297-0251
Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens, Food Banks
Food
If your family is in need of food, check out the following websites for a list of food closets, food banks, soup kitchens, congregate meal locations, food boxes, and more. The locations are faith-based, government, and non-profit.
FoodPantries.org: https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/ga-columbus
United Way 2-1-1: http://www.211uwcv.org/
Student Meal Pick-ups by School District: https://www.gpb.org/
Food Pantry Locator (Smartphone App): FoodFinder
Tips for Parents
Families
The coronavirus pandemic has upended family life as we know it. School closures, working remote, social distancing — it’s a lot to navigate for anyone, but especially for parents. Here are some helpful tips and links to get you through it.
Tips for Families: Download
World Health Organization (WHO): Parenting in the time of COVID-19
UNICEF: Tips for parenting during the coronavirus
Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
American Academy of Pediatrics: Positive Parenting & COVID-19
Ledger-Enquirer: How to talk to kids about Coronavirus without scaring them
Local Counseling Centers
Counseling & Suicide Prevention
As the number of cases of COVID-19 increases, so does the associated anxiety. No doubt, there have been many changes to how you live your life. Taking care of yourself is more important now, than ever. If you have concerns or if you experience worsening of mental health symptoms, contact the following local agencies for help.
2022 15th Ave. | Columbus, GA 31909 | 706-649-6500
Columbus Psychological Associates:
2325 Brookstone Centre Parkway | Columbus, GA 31904 | 706-653-6841
5700 Veterans Parkway | Columbus, Georgia 31904 | 706-252-3294
Other Counseling Services: TalkSpace.com
Educational Resources for Students
Education & the Arts
Tens of millions of parents are homeschooling their kids during the coronavirus. It is a massive experiment awash in ideas and resources. Here are a few educational resources to help you.
eSchool+ Initiative Tracker: Johns Hopkins University tracker
COVID-19 Updates by School District:
Chattahoochee Valley Libraries: COVID-19 Resources for Students
Muscogee Moms:
RiverCenter for the Performing Arts: RiverCenter Teaching Artists
Coca-Cola Space Science Center: Meteor Moments
Facebook Groups:
- MCSD It Takes a Village
- MCSD Community for a Better Day
Free Internet Access
WiFi Locations
Need access to high-speed internet? The Georgia Department of Community Affairs provides a list of free WiFi hotspots across the state. When visiting these locations, please stay in your vehicle or otherwise follow Governor Kemp’s directions to keep a distance of at least 6 feet away from your fellow Georgians.
Free GA Wifi Hotspots: broadband.georgia.gov
Affordable Internet Services: InternetEssentials.com
Note: Every internet provider that has signed the Keep Americans Connected Pledge has also opened up their Wi-Fi hotspots for free public use.
Housing
Are you looking for safe, affordable housing? Check out these links.
Georgia: Department of Community Affairs
Alabama: Affordable Housing Online
DIY Cloth Face Coverings
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Here are several patterns you can make at home.
Good Housekeeping: How to make medical face masks
Piedmont Columbus Regional: COVID Cloth Facemask
Suicide & Domestic Violence Hotlines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Available 24/7 for confidential support for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
1-800-787-3224 TTY
https://www.thehotline.org/help/
Highly trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone in the United States who is experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
Georgia Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-33-HAVEN (1.800.334.2836)
https://gcadv.org/
Reach trained advocates 24/7 to get the help and support you deserve. There are no fees and no judgments. Just help.
Alabama Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-650-6522
http://acadv.org/
Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Overdose Prevention & Treatment
Overdose Prevention
Both Alabama and Georgia have standing orders or Good Samaritan Laws to ensure that NARCAN/Naloxone is readily obtainable by any person who is experiencing an opioid-related overdose.
For emergency treatment, call 9-1-1.
National Helpline: 1-888-662-4357 (HELP)
The Bradley Center of St. Francis – Emory Healthcare
2000 16th Avenue, Columbus
706-320-3700
mystfrancis.com/our-services/behaviour-and-psychiatric-care
The premier psychiatric hospital in the region for people who have a mental illness, addiction disorders, or are experience distress due to a life crisis. Call the 24/7 Intake and Assessment line for an immediate assessment or to schedule an appointment.
Findtreatment.gov: – SAMHSA’s directory of residential, outpatient, and hospital inpatient treatment programs for drug addiction and alcoholism.
Detox Local – Provides a list of medically reviewed guides on drug and alcohol withdrawal.
National Institute on Drug Abuse – Suggestions and resources for locating viable treatment options for friends and family.
