Countering COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Stigma and Racism: Tips for Parents and Caregivers (excerpt)

Remember that at any time, should you or your children struggle with feelings of stress, please reach out to your school and community organizations for support. While many families may fear drawing attention to their diverse backgrounds, there are individuals and organizations who want to help. Talk to representatives of your school or local cultural or faith organizations. Other organizations and helpful resources include:

• American Civil Liberties Union, https://www.aclu.org/
• Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, http://www.asianpacificpolicyandplanningcouncil.org/
• Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, https://www.aapcho.org/
• Korean American Coalition – Los Angeles, https://www.kacla.org/
• National Association of Asian American Professionals, https://www.naaap.org/
• Southern Poverty Law Center, https://www.splcenter.org/
• Teaching Tolerance, https://www.tolerance.org/

Speaking Up Against Racism Around the New Coronavirus (excerpt)

Since the virus began to spread, people who identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI) have been subjected to racist comments and jokes online or in person, and to isolating behavior from those who are afraid of catching the virus. 

Times like these remind us that we must continuously disrupt and address issues of hate and bias, which often find their way into schools. 

PBS Series "Asian Americans"

This PBS television series chronicles the Asian American story in the United States, premiering during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May 2020. Told through individual lives and personal histories, "Asian Americans" explores the impact of this group on the country’s past, present, and future.

Tragically, we are seeing rising numbers of horrific, racist attacks against African Americans. We know that for every action reported in the news, countless other incidents of racism occur daily. Each day, it becomes increasingly important that we continue to combat bigotry, racism, and hatred. To that end, we offer these resources for Supporting Our Black Community.

Common Sense Media provides an "innovative, award-winning Digital Citizenship Curriculum prepares students with lifelong habits and skills, supports teachers with training and recognition, and engages families and communities with helpful tips and tools."

A Common Sense Media-sponsored website, Wide Open School offers a wealth of resources for teachers and families.

We know that many people are looking for ways to support the wider community at this time, and so we wanted to share some opportunities that are available and also send a shout out to our Maret families who are leading some of these initiatives. Please remember, anyone who is volunteering should make sure to wash and sanitize their hands, phones, and any other surfaces that might get touched regularly during pickups or deliveries, as well as on-site work. They should make sure to wear gloves and masks, avoid contact when delivering, and should call to cancel their volunteer shifts if they are experiencing any symptoms.

Community Groups and Requests:

• #GetMePPE DC area donor form
• Muslim Mask Project interest form
• 3D Print Medical Equipment registration form
• Three Little Birds Sewing Co (Hyattsville, MD) supplies and drop-off information
• Sign up here to join a city-wide network of volunteers to run errands for our elderly or immunocompromised neighbors
• DC Public Schools - In need of volunteers to help keep running their many meal sites for kids in DC during school closures! Please fill out the linked survey.
• Capital Area Food Bank - In critical need of volunteers to help sort and pack food in their warehouse and assist at their offsite food distributions.
• Families 4 Families DMV- Volunteers donate or assemble a week of groceries for families in need.
• Food and Friends DC- In urgent need of extra volunteers throughout the coming weeks. There are two volunteer opportunities: food preparation and packaging OR meal and grocery delivery.
• Food Rescue US- Volunteers with vehicles needed to pick up and deliver food from businesses to DC residents in need.
• Grace’s Table- Looking for volunteers to help feed the homeless each Saturday.
• Martha’s Table - Volunteers needed to help prepare and bag food for their emergency food sites across the city.
• We Are Family- Volunteer to deliver groceries to seniors.
• Food for All DC- Volunteer to drive groceries to seniors, immunocompromised, and other DC neighbors who are homebound. Volunteer here.
• Working with Seniors: If older students are interested in doing virtual volunteer work with the residents of a senior facility by leading games or other activities, being a virtual pen pal, and forging connections with residents who are under strict changes in the visitor policy, contact Krystle Merchant, Maret’s Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships (kmerchant@maret.org).
• Children's Hospital Bloodmobile - There is a huge need for blood right now. Volunteers can donate blood in a safe, socially distant environment. Only a limited number of appointments are allowed at one time so as to adhere to social distancing standards. Please visit the Children's National Medical Center website to learn more about blood donation, to schedule an appointment, and get information on when it might be visiting your neighborhood.

Maret Family Initiatives:

• From the Footers (Sofie-1st, Lexi-3rd, Chloe-5th):
  The Footer family has joined forces to help provide food and support to Martha’s Table. Their house is a drop off location (5030 Linnean Ave, NW) on Wednesdays and Saturdays anytime before 1:00pm, and there are a few boxes/bags on the porch to drop off food. People can also use the Martha’s Table drop off at the Maycraft at 1474 Columbia Road, NW 20009. 3 turkey slices and 2 pieces of cheese are the perfect amount for each sandwich. Martha’s Table is really in need of meat and cheese sandwiches if possible, but of course, any food donation, based on the guidelines, is much appreciated. 
• From the Marshalls (Brooks-3rd, John-5th, Mac-7th, James-8th):
  Families4Families (F4F) is an initiative to provide groceries to families that are facing a critical food emergency in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. F4F delivers a week’s worth of groceries to families in need through partnerships with vetted nonprofit organizations. To date, F4F has provided 5,280 meals to families in need in the local area and has replicated its model in six other cities across the country. To learn more, please visit families4families.org or @families4familiesdmv. A recent Washingtonian article featured F4F’s efforts.

Horizons Initiative:

• As you may have read in the recent Maret Magazine, Horizons Greater Washington is celebrating 20 years! This important partnership between Maret and Horizons provides academic support, enrichment, and inspiration for K-8 students from low income families in our community. This video was to be shared at the annual Spring Splash event that was scheduled for May 1. Please consider making a gift of any size to Horizons Greater Washington to support the nearly 400 students in the program.

If you are able, please consider donating even a small amount to the following organizations:

For Students No Longer Receiving Meals at School
DC Central Kitchen

Meals for the Homeless
So Others Might Eat

Domestic Abuse Response for Confined Victims
DC SAFE

Donate Gift Cards from Local Businesses or to a Worker Relief Fund
Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington's Coronavirus Worker Relief Fund

Donate at a National Level
"How You Can Help Victims of the Coronavirus Pandemic," New York Times

"How Your Can Help During the Coronavirus Outbreak," Washington Post

• Ask clarifying questions to get a better understanding of what your child is asking.
• Be developmentally appropriate. Don’t volunteer too much information, as this may be overwhelming. Instead, try to answer your child’s questions. Do your best to answer honestly and clearly, but do not give more information than is age-appropriate and/or necessary. Instead of tackling a conversation or a question in one conversation, you can always circle back if needed.
• Invite your child to ask questions. It is okay if you cannot answer everything; being available for your child is what matters.
• Don’t let your own anxiety take over. Parents can get worried about explaining everything rather than just answering the specific question that was posed.
• Avoid overly focusing on the subject. Gauge how much you talk about the topic depending on the age of the child. Young children may not need to know much.
• Share what you are doing to stay safe. An important way to reassure children is to emphasize the safety precautions that you are taking.
• Empower children and help them feel in control. Help them figure out what they can do to manage their emotions or change a situation.
• Avoid excessive blaming. When tensions run high, sometimes we try to blame someone or something. It is important to avoid stereotyping or negative comments about a specific group of people.
• Monitor television viewing and social media. Try to avoid watching or listening to information that may be upsetting when children are present.
• Stick to routine. Structured days with regular mealtimes and bedtimes are an essential part of keeping children happy and healthy.
• Reassure children they are loved, safe, and protected by you and others.

Additional Resources

TALKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
National Association of School Psychologists

TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS
Kids worry more when they're kept in the dark
Child Mind Institute (4-Minute Video)

HOW TO TALK TO CHILDREN ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS
Harvard Medical School

TALKING TO TEENS AND TWEENS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS
New York Times

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Official Coronavirus webpage
• DC Department of Health Official webpage
• World Health Organization Official Coronavirus webpage
• CDC Official Map of Confirmed US Cases
• Johns Hopkins CSSE Map of Global Cases
• The Washington Post’s Coronavirus Coverage