You’ve got this, New Orleans. You know how to handle adversity. You know how to handle hardship. You’re working on that whole can’t hug anyone thing. You have, possibly, filled your freezer with all of the things you’ve cooked over the last couple of weeks (gumbo, anyone?!?).
But you might need a little help with some of the other things that have come along with COVID-19.
Help for tenants
City of New Orleans rental assistance program for workers impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic starts on April 1, 2020 and is open to Orleans Parish residents who are not getting paid by their employer or are not receiving rental assistance through other organizations.
Having an issue with your landlord attempting to evict you illegally? Contact Southeast Louisiana legal services.
Drive through COVID-19 testing
New Orleans COVID-19 testing will continue daily at the UNO Lakefront Arena parking lot for individuals who arrive in a vehicle, are 18 years of age or older, and who have an on-site fever or a self-reported fever with a cough or shortness of breath. Hours of operation will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or until the daily cap of 500 tests is reached.
Jefferson Parish:
Drive-through COVID-19 testing is available daily at the Alario Center to any individual who is 18 years or older with symptoms, with a cap of 250 tests per day.
Through a pilot program with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), COVID-19 testing is offered at the Alario Center Parking Lot, 2000 Segnette Blvd. Westwego, LA 70094, to individuals who meet specific criteria. The site is open at 8 a.m. seven days a week.
Procedure
Upon arrival at the site, individuals will be required to remain in their vehicles and to provide identification, which needs to be a Louisiana driver’s license, state-issued ID or medical/first-responder credentials.
Personnel in full medical protective gear will check the individual’s temperature with a no-touch thermometer and insert a nasal swab to obtain the necessary sample.
For the safety of the testing personnel, the drive-through site will not be able to accommodate walk-up individuals. Individuals must arrive in a vehicle.
Meal and food assistance
Free meal delivery service to home-bound, low-income seniors and chronically ill residents
Resident assistance with food or other essential services in Jefferson Parish can be found here: https://www.jeffparish.net/departments/public-information-office/covid-19/resources/assistance-for-residents
Second Harvest Food Bank – How to get food assistance https://no-hunger.org/social-servicesbenefits-helpline/
Child Nutrition free meals to children under 18 in New Orleans: https://nolapublicschools.com/covid19/nutrition
Grants + assistance programs
SBA loan assistance for small businesses: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
How to apply for unemployment during COVID-19: https://www.louisianaworks.net/hire/vosnet/Default.aspx
Assistance for musicians: https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9337908/coronavirus-resource-guide-music-professionals-help
Worried about paying your mortgage?
While foreclosures have been put on hold, that doesn’t mean you’re not obligated to continue to pay your monthly mortgage payment. Here are some of the largest mortgage servicing companies that are offering forbearances to their customers. Qualifications will vary from lender to lender.
Health and safety tips
Keep up with updated from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
PRO TIP: Keep a supply of plastic shopping bags in your car. Put them over your hand while pumping gas, then toss into the trash can when finished.
Mental health services
Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard: Metropolitan Human Services District https://www.mhsdla.org/faqs/
24 hour crisis line: 504-826-2675
Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority https://www.jphsa.org/
Mobile crisis services: 504-832-5123
Top 12 meditation apps https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/g25178771/best-meditation-apps/
Workout at home with 90 days free on the peloton app https://www.onepeloton.com/app
Working from home
Free video Conferencing services: https://www.zdnet.com/article/video-conferencing-deals-coronavirus-spurs-offers-from-webex-google-and-others/
33 apps to help you work from home: https://readdle.com/blog/remote-work-apps-services
Arts + Culture
Virtual tour of NOMA: https://artsandculture.google.com/u/0/partner/new-orleans-museum-of-art
30 More museums, galleries, zoos, and aquarium virtual tours: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/travel/a31784720/best-virtual-tours/
The New Orleans Public Library has gone virtual, with e-books, movies, and more. Get the details here.
And, when you just need a break from it all, kick back and watch some videos featuring New Orleans musicians.
