Caring for Your Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being During COVID-19 

The COVID-19 pandemic is a stressful situation for many people in our community. Stress can present itself in many different ways, including but not limited to, anxiety, fear, grief, and anger. Additionally, the physical distance and isolation from our loved ones can cause feelings of loneliness and exacerbate feelings of stress and depression.  As we all do our part to slow the spread of the virus, I encourage you to take care of your emotional and mental well-being during this unprecedented global crisis. This edition of my weekly bulletin provides a number of resources to help people cope with the stress, anxiety, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We also know that times of crisis are also a trigger for abuse in the home. While we are sheltered in place, many of our neighbors and their children are at risk of increased intimate partner and child abuse. While we are doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, the physical isolation makes it more difficult to check in on our friends and neighbors who may be victims of abuse. In addition to mental health resources, this edition of my Weekly COVID-19 Updates provides information on how to create a safety plan, support a friend experiencing abuse in their home, and report domestic abuse during the Shelter in Place order.  

If you are in immediate danger of being harmed by yourself or by others, call 9-1-1

It is now required to wear a face covering in public for the duration of the Shelter in Place orders. Enforcement of this order will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 8 AM. 

Face coverings must cover the nose and mouth, and can be simple and homemade of cloth, fabric, or other soft or permeable material without holes. Face coverings should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, include multiple layers of fabric, and allow for breathing without restriction. For more guidance on how to wear a face covering and information on how to create your own face covering, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19" page. 

Under the ACPHD order, face coverings are required to be worn:

• While inside or waiting in line to enter essential businesses, like a grocery store or pharmacy 
• When seeking health care  
• When waiting for or riding on public transit, or in a taxi, ride share vehicle or private town car 
• When entering facilities allowed to operate under the Shelter in Place Order 

Face coverings are not required in your home. Children aged 12 and younger are not required to wear a face covering, and any child two years old or young should not wear a face covering. For additional information on Alameda County’s order to wear face coverings in public, please review ACPHD’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.  

While face coverings help slow the spread of COVID-19, the best prevention is physical distancing and staying home. ACPHD continues to urge residents to stay home and leave only for essential activities. For more information and guidance on essential activities, please visit the Alameda County Public Health Department's dedicated COVID-19 website.  

Coping with Stress and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic 

The CDC’s “Stress and Coping” page provides the public with guidance on both identifying symptoms of stress and anxiety and ways to cope with these symptoms. For non-emergent needs, there are a number of ways to build resiliency and manage these symptoms, including: 

• Stretching 
• Meditation 
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs 
• Maintaining contact with loved ones through various communication methods, such as phone or video calls, writing letters or e-mails, or text messaging  

If your situation worsens, call your health care provider immediately. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 9-1-1. 

Supporting Emotional Well-Being for Teens and Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Stress affects everyone differently, and children and teens may react to the COVID-19 crisis differently than how adults react. The CDC recommends adults keep an eye out for sudden behavior changes in the children and teens in their lives. Some common changes to watch for include:

• Excessive crying (in younger children), irritability, "acting out" (in teens)
• Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toileting accidents or bedwetting) 
• Excessive worry or sadness 
• Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits 
• Difficulty with attention and concentration 
• Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past 

The CDC has also provided a guide for adults on how to talk with children and teens about COVID-19. Adults can support youth by answering their questions and sharing facts about COVID-19, reassuring they are safe, limiting exposure to related news when it becomes overwhelming, and working together to practice coping tools.  

Crisis Lines for Immediate Support 

Local and national crisis support lines remain open and available during the COVID-19 pandemic. These crisis lines can be reached by calling the numbers below or using the live online chat or texting options (if available).   

Crisis Lines in Alameda County & District 3: 

• Alameda County Behavioral Health Services:  
  Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention: 
  (800) 309-2131 
  
  Text "SAFE" to 20121 between 4:00p.m. and 11:00 p.m. 7 days a week. 
  
  Asian Language Crisis Support Line:     
  1-510-569-7200 
  
  Spanish Language Crisis Support Line: 
  1-510-535-6200 (Oakland); 
  1-510-881-5921 (Hayward) 
  
  Crisis Support for Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 1-510-957-5465 (Phone); 
  1-510-984-1654 (Video Phone)
  

• Alameda County Family Violence Law Center’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 
  1-800-947-8301 
• Alameda Family Services (City of Alameda): 
  24/7 Crisis Support: (800) 309-2131 
  Teen Text Support: 20121 from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM 
  Alameda Family Services Clinic (accepting new clients): (510) 629-6210 

• Building Futures Shelter Hotline: 
  1-866-A-WAY-OUT 

National Crisis Support Hotlines

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 
• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741 
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline (English):  
  Phone: 1-800-846-8517
  TTY: 1-800-846-8517
  Text TalkWithUs to 66746 
• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline (Español): 
  1-800-985-5990 and press "2"
  From the 50 States, text Hablanos to 66746
  From Puerto Rico, text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663 
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233; TTY – 1-800-787-3224 

Safety Planning During COVID-19 

Leaving an abusive situation can be difficult and risky, even more so during natural or man-made disasters. While many community services have closed during the Shelter in Place, domestic violence shelters, crisis services, and social and supportive services remain open to those in need. The Alameda County District Attorney (DA) and the Oakland City Attorney have issued a FAQ document to clarify the Shelter in Place requirements and how they relate to survivors of interpersonal violence.  

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need to find support and develop an exit plan, please do so in the way that’s safest for you. The Building Futures’ hotline (1-866-A-WAY-OUT) and Alameda County Family Violence Law Center hotline (1-800-947-8301) are available to help.  

Sanctuary for Families' - an advocacy group for ending domestic violence - dedicated COVID-19 page provides a guide on how to develop a safety plans. The guide is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, French, and German. Suggestions for developing a plan for safety include:

• Establishing a code word for friends, family, and your children
• Notifying the police before an emergency
• Creating an exit plan and ensuring you have all the important information, documents, and supplies necessary
• Creating a safe space in your home (if possible) if leaving is not safe

In addition, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) has provided guidance on how to seek help online safely. 

Supporting Friends Experiencing Domestic Violence During
COVID-19 

Physical distance and isolation the Shelter in Place order can make it more difficult for us to check-in on our friends and neighbors who may be experiencing domestic or interpersonal violence. The NNDEV has provided a guide with Tips on Helping a Friend Experiencing Domestic Abuse During COVID-19. These tips include:

• Be supportive and believe in them
• Communicate with your friends in the way(s) they deem most safe
• Find creative ways to stay in touch and check-in on their well-being

Public Comment Procedures for Board of Supervisors Meetings During Shelter in Place

Procedures for Board of Supervisors meetings are subject to change to improve videoconferencing tools. Please check the Board of Supervisors' website for the most up-to-date guidelines.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors will continue to conduct essential government business at our regularly scheduled Board meetings.

• Agendas are posted on the Board of Supervisors' website: 
  http://acgov.org/board/.

While in-person participation is limited to essential personnel, we are committed to providing the public with live broadcast and remote opportunities to participate in public comment during the Shelter in Place order. The following guidelines allow for public participation in Board meetings while following safe social distancing practices:

Remote Viewing/Listening:
Members of the public who wish to watch the Board of Supervisors meetings, are encouraged to view the live stream online at: 
http://acgov.org/board/broadcast.htm.

We recommend against using Internet Explorer to view the meetings. We recommend using Google Chrome or other browsers to view the meetings.

Public Comment via Teleconference:
Members of the public may address the Board of Supervisors on a matter on the agenda or during the Public Input portion of the meeting on a matter not on the agenda but is an issue within the Board’s subject matter jurisdiction.

To observe the meeting by video conference, please click on this link to join the webinar at the noticed meeting time.

• If you are using a laptop:
  Use the "Raise Hand" button to indicate you would like to speak or provide public comment. When you are called to speak, unmute your speaker.
• If you are listening to the meeting by phone:
  Use the numbers listed on the Zoom/Teleconferencing Guidelines. 
  Dial *9 to raise your hand to speak.
  If you decide not speak, you may hang up and dial back into the meeting or simply notify the Clerk you do not wish to speak when you are unmuted and asked to speak.

Written Comment (accepted until the start of the meeting at 9:30 a.m., unless otherwise noted on the meeting agenda).

To provide written comment on an item on the agenda or to address the Board about an issue during Public Input, you may send an email to CBS@acgov.org.

Please include your name and note the agenda item number you want to address or whether you intend for comment to be included in Public Input. Copies of all written comments will be provided to the Board Members and will be added to the official record.

ADA Accessibility: If you require a reasonable modification or accommodation for a disability, please email the Clerk of the Board at CBS@acgov.org or call (510) 208-4949.

• Oakland Undocumented Relief (OUR) Fund: Offers financial support for immigrant Oaklanders who have lost income due to COVID-19. To apply for or donate to OUR Fund, visit Centro Legal’s website. 
• Legal Aid at Work (Ayuda Legal Laboral) Resource Guide: offers a list of financial services available to undocumented workers in California who have been impacted by COVID-19. This resource guide is updated on a weekly basis and is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese. 
• Immigrants Rising resource guide provides a list of resources available for undocumented immigrants. Recursos para inmigrantes sobre COVID-19 en español—utilice este enlace