Health and public policy experts talk about how to protect ourselves during this period of the pandemic
Undocumented immigrants affected by the coronavirus they are not at risk of being arrested by immigration agents when they request medical services, while access to health for legal residents will not be considered a public charge.
"The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has said it will not take migration action in clinics and hospitals against undocumented immigrants," Jackie Vimo, public policy analyst for the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), said during a teleconference. on the coronavirus organized by Ethnic Media Services, in which public health officials, health professionals and legal experts participated.
He stressed that also the Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has already declared that the public charge rule will not apply to those seeking medical treatment and services related to COVID-19. The public charge allows denial of residence to those who have received certain public benefits.
Vimo established that Beneficiaries of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) who are in effect in these programs and have a social security number, qualify to receive $ 1,200 per person included in the COVID-19 stimulus package approved by Congress. In addition to that they can apply for unemployment aid.
But he recommended that when it comes to a couple who jointly declare taxes, if one of them has a personal identification number (ITIN), whoever is the legal resident or citizen should request the support of the $ 1,200 individually.
Undocumented immigrants even with an ITIN are not eligible for aid of $ 1,200 under the relief package approved by Congress.
No matter immigration status
Rigoberto Reyes, director of the Los Angeles County Immigrant Office, said that immigration status and ability to pay are not an obstacle to receiving preventive health and tests related to the coronavirus.
My Health LA, the free health care program for low-income residents of Los Angeles County, does not restrict immigrants from receiving access, clarified.
"The recommendation before going in person is that they contact 844-744-6452 to receive information on how they should proceed," he emphasized.
While undocumented immigrants don't qualify for benefits like CalFresh food stamps, or cash aid programs like Calworks and other supports, if they have children or other people in their families with their immigration papers in place, they may qualify.
He recalled that Los Angeles County has just opened a help center for unemployed workers and business owners. For information, they can call: 1-800-593-8222.
On that same phone number, they can report complaints of price manipulation, request free help with food, and report home evictions.
Reyes said that from March 4 until May 4 there is a ban against evictions.
How to protect yourself
Dr. Félix Aguilar, medical director of the Chinatown Service Center recalled that the coronavirus only survives for a few hours, and not for days or weeks.
"It is not AIDS, it is not the plague or the Cíbola but it is something that with soap and water can be killed ”he stressed.
Who is at risk?
"Those with low defenses, the elderly and smokers. Although deaths have occurred at any age, "he said.
Dr. Aguilar recommended that you wash your hands often for 20 minutes, and not forget to do the same when you return home.
His advice to Latino families in whose homes many relatives live and cannot exercise social distance is to frequently clean houses, wash their hands, and keep surfaces clean.
And when someone falls ill with coronavirus, he recommended keeping their distance, not sharing what they wear, and using bandanas as face masks.
Symptoms of those with the coronavirus are: fever over 104 degrees and shortness of breath.
Mental health
Dr. Lisseth Rojas Flores, an adjunct professor of Clinical Psychology at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California advised developing an action plan to care for mental health in times of the coronavirus.
His recommendations include:
- Organize routines with a schedule of activities for the family, and especially for children with times for school work, food, chores, rest and distraction.
- Get up and go to bed at regular times.
- Observe the children's reactions to see if they are not isolating themselves, or are throwing tantrums or crying; and listen to them, talk to them and connect with them.
- Acknowledge your own fears and emotions, and develop a self-care plan with strategies to deal with them. Remember that chronic stress can have a long-term impact on health.
- Seek spiritual support, feed your soul, exercise, and become a consumer of good and credible information.
