Covid-19 resources
Online learning, at-home fun, exercise, and meals and other vital assistance for Pittsburgh families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
please join us
LEAF and PSCC meet regularly online to discuss equity in the time of COVID-19. For details, see our Facebook page:
PPS Remote Learning
The Pittsburgh Public Schools online hub for remote learning during the pandemic is: https://www.pghschools.org/allin
MEALS
PPS GRAB & GO MEALS
For Pittsburgh students that depend on our school breakfast & lunch program, Grab & Go meals are available. Distribution will resume the original schedule beginning Tuesday, April 14th. For a list of locations, please visit www.pghschools.org/coronavirus.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION MAP
A food distribution map has been developed to identify available food resources around the county. The map is searchable by a variety of fields, and includes descriptions, eligibility and contact information for many of the sites. It includes school “grab & go” sites, food pantries and other options and is regularly updated. The map can be found at https://tinyurl.com/pghfoodmap. It is also available at bit.ly/ACHDcovid-19 under Help for Residents.
For additional assistance with food (and much more), see below.
Assistance
PA 2-1-1 Southwest
This service from United Way' can help connect individuals and families with food pantries, health care services, utilities, and eviction prevention assistance. To reach them:
- Dial 2-1-1
- text your zip code to 898-211
- visit PA211sw.org
COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE LIST
The Google doc below includes info and resources on the following topics (compiled by Rep. Inamorato):
- Income support for workers affected by the pandemic (unemployment, workers’ Comp.)
- COVID-19 testing
- Medical coverage: (re insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and uninsured)
- Absentee and Mail-in Ballots
- Food
- Homelessness prevention
- Housing
- Service industry and small businesses
- Childcare
- Older adults
- College students
- Freelance/artists
- Partner violence
- Mental health
- AA meetings via phone
- Free internet
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UmWxIKSFJ1yy7BZ1Q4YbAP2IV4VciZDXcSPoIe4szQ8/edit
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Expert advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone in the US who is experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship. They also provide support to friends and family members who are concerned about a loved one. Call 1-800-799-7233 ...OR, if you're unable to speak safely, you can log on and chat at thehotline.org, or text LOVEIS to 22522.
FUN AT HOME
FACEBOOK LIVE
Check out this huge schedule of lifestream events!
Mo Willems will release a new “Lunch Doodle” video each weekday at 1 PM
https://www.facebook.com/537215623/posts/10163471992390624/?d=n
The Cincinnati Zoo will have a live Facebook event every day at 3pm on their homepage featuring an animal and an activity children can do at home.
https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/
FB LIVE with Ben Clanton
https://facebook.com/events/s/fb-live-with-ben-clanton/190785292224208/?ti=icl
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS
PreK-3rd: PBS LearningMedia Virtual Field Trips
These virtual excursions include: horse farm, a post office, construction site, zoo, radio station, TV station, kindergarten, library, playground , kite company, airport, children's theater, grocery store, bank conservatory, recycling center, oceanographic center, nature village, pet shop, hair salon, paper store, school bus depot, traffic safety, flag company, music store, art museum, African dance studio, ice skating rink, animal shelter, national park, ReUse center, symphony orchestra, pizza restaurant, children's hospital, dentist, weather station, hardware store, beach, cooking school, dinosaur exhibit, baseball field, gymnastics academy, science museum, pottery studio, urban garden, aquatic complex, and Hawaiian dance.
https://wqed.pbslearningmedia.org/shared/12718/4846901/#.Xoux_i2ZO8U
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
While they're temporarily closed to the public, you can still bring the Zoo home to you! Check out the Zoo’s web cams, our podcast, and some additional fun and educational programming we are creating for you and your family at home.
https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/bringing-the-zoo-to-you/
The National Aviary
Watch the Peregrine Falcon Cam that is on top of the Cathedral Of Learning building in Oakland. Catch the daily animal encounters that they usually have in person.
Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh
Online Galleries.
http://carnegiemuseums.org/things-to-do/explore-our-collections
African Dance
Penny and the KidVision Kids learn about West African dance and music. They listen to a storyteller, make and wear traditional dance attire, play dundun drums and dance the Lamba, and watch a professional performance by Delou Africa!
The Louvre
http://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne#tabs
Virtual museum tours
https://thequietgrove.com/85-virtual-tours-field-trips-for-families-to-enjoy-together-at-home/
More than 40 excursions your kids can take from the couch:
https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135714/virtualfield-trips/
Google Arts and Culture
Dozens of virtual tours and 1,000’s of artwork images from around the world. http://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en&tab=pop
STORY TIME WITH LIBERTY TEACHERS
Our wonderful faculty have been making story time videos and posting them to the school's Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/LibertyPPS/
COLORING PAGES & CRAFTS
VIDEOS FROM THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=SyXO1opQALM
PODCASTS & AUDIOBOOKS FOR KIDS
From Stitcher:
https://www.stitcher.com/contentlist/139
From Pinna
Temporarily free (60-day trial) with the code "PINNA4KIDS" -- Pinna has tons of great kids' podcasts, audiobooks, and music. Screen-free, ad-free, and made for kids 3-12. You can filter by age.
EXERCISE
YOGA
Cosmic Kids Yoga: Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world.
GONOODLE
Videos to get kids dancing, stretching, running, jumping, deep breathing, and wiggling.
https://www.youtube.com/user/GoNoodleGames/videos
KICKBOXING & TAI CHI
YMCA
LIVE PE CLASSES
DIY
MAKE YOUR OWN SANITIZER
Currently, we are at a shortage of many different products on the store shelves due to the Coronavirus. One of those things is Hand Sanitizer.
You will need:
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Rubbing Alcohol or Isopropyl Alcohol ( It's best to get 91% or 99%.)
- A few drops of essential oil like vanilla or another favorite (This is very optional, and is only useful for fragrance.)
- A bottle or container with a lid
Combine 2 parts alcohol to 1 part aloe vera gel. Shake.
PAINT
This is another fun DIY. The paint is washable, and is made with everyday kitchen items. During the school closures, this can be used to pass some great family time.
You will need equal parts of the following:
- flour
- salt
- water
- food coloring
- container (squeeze bottles are good, because they can be stored easily).
We used disposable cups, and placed press and seal on top. We used 1/2 cup of each, and had enough to make 4 colors. First, we put the dry ingredients into a medium sized bowl. Then, we added warm water to help everything mix better. Then, we poured the mixture evenly into 4 disposable cups. We added a few drops of food coloring to each cup, adding a different color to each. I also used the gel kind in a jar. It worked better, because you only needed a small amount, and the colors were very vibrant. Finally, we stirred them up. After they painted, I added press and seal to the top. They can be used again and again.
--Jennifer Blair Edwards, Liberty Parent
COVID-19 and kids
SOCIAL DISTANCING
"Parents: Take social distancing seriously and limit playdates, other activities, experts say," CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/14/health/coronavirus-kids-social-distancing-wellness/index.html
EASING KIDS' ANXIETIES
Dr. Phil's advice on parenting under quarantine
https://www.drphil.com/shows/coronavirus-parenting-under-quarantine/
"Are your kids anxious about coronavirus? Dr. G is here to help," Kidsburgh
https://www.kidsburgh.org/are-your-kids-anxious-about-coronavirus-dr-g-is-here-to-help/?
"How to Talk to Your Child about the Coronavirus," Kids Health
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/coronavirus-how-talk-child.html
"Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource," National Association of School Psychologists
"Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)," National Child Traumatic Stress Network
https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/outbreak_factsheet_1.pdf
"How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus," PBS
https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-coronavirus
TIPS FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS:
1) Find out what they know or have heard.
This can help to correct misinformation and give age-appropriate facts. Ask if they know what it is like to have a cold or the flu, and how sometimes you get a cough or a fever too. Coronavirus is somewhat like that. Most people who get this stay home, rest, and get better. There are doctors and nurses that can help if needed.
2) Reassure them that they are safe.
Explain that there is no need to worry, and a lot of people (grown ups) are working hard to keep people healthy, including you, the parent/parents.
3) Tell them the simple ways to be germ busters.
The main same hygiene routines that slow the spread of the COVID-19 are the same habits that help keep us healthy all year round.
- Wash your hands. For a timer, sing the Happy Birthday song or the ABC's while you scrub.
- Catch that cough. Teach them to cough or sneeze into their elbows instead of in their hands to prevent the spread of germs.
- Rest is best. When your sick, get plenty of rest. Stay home, and prevent the spread of germs.
- Practice healthy habits. Sleep, exercise, and eating healthy are great, everyday ways to strengthen our bodies.
4) Practice Social distancing.
Explain how germs travel from person to person. Ask them if a number of kids have a cold all at once in their class. Tell them that if lots of people stay home for awhile, it will be hard for Coronavirus germs to travel to new people. It may be hard to stay away from loved ones, but there is alot of modern technology that can help prevent the total distancing like: Facetime, Skype, and other methods. A simple phone call is better than taking the chance to spread germs, especially to the elderly.