ChicagoCHEC is monitoring the global and national outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), as well as confirmed cases in the Chicago community and has created this webpage to share the latest information with the ChicagoCHEC community. Please check back regularly for the most recent guidance and communications.
Cancer Patients
Some types of cancer and treatments such as chemotherapy can weaken your immune system and may increase your risk of any infection, including with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
If you have cancer or are undergoing cancer treatment, please see the below resources for tips on keeping yourself healthly during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Coronavirus: What People with Cancer Should Know published by the National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Tips & Tools For Living With Cancer During COVID-19 published by the Livestrong Foundation
COVID-19 Advocacy Impact from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Cancer Patients and Survey Findings Summary from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
Talking Points for Stimulus Four – April 2020
COVID-19 Response and Recommendations
For other important updates please visit:
Chicago Department of Public Health Information available in English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Arabic, Filipino, Hindi and Korean.
City of Chicago Mayor’s Office
Illinois Department of Public Health
Immigrant Healthcare Resources and Rights in Response to Coronavirus
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in English, Spanish, and Chinese
COVID-19 fact sheet in Spanish
Community Resources
| Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs | find help.org | https://findhelp.org/ |
| Compiled COVID-19 Resource Support | ChicagoCHEC -Community Health Educator’s Compiled Resource List | https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1__2CyxfGoGmPCrsTGpcULugBTOVcgDPnByLMSMWQebg/edit?usp=sharing |
| Community Resources During COVID-19 | UIC Cancer Center | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s8nxxVc7as7tonuZaYAOhO_mDk3RaRic/view?usp=sharing |
| Repository of Community Resources | Northwestern University’s Center for Community Health & Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities (ARCC) | https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iAyhLARy2Rljj2uVBmq9BQ-Efa3pEphpDDxfA5mkdxQ/edit?usp=sharing |
| Resources for the Immigrant and Refugee Community | Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CvVQDrWhKRHMvVpfFYe5ulh388w1O58D/view?usp=sharing |
| Getting food – Greater Chicago Food Depository resources during COVID-19 (updated) | Greater Chicago Food Depository | https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/coronavirus-updates/ |
| Getting food – Lakeview Pantry resources during COVID-19 (updated) | Lakeview Pantry | https://www.lakeviewpantry.org/lakeview-pantrys-response-to-coronavirus/ |
| Free meals for school-age children (three meals per meal bag) | Chicago Public Schools (CPS) | https://cps.edu/oshw/Pages/HealthyCPS.aspx |
| Food and hand sanitizer, health supplements, toiletries for seniors | My Block, My Hood, My City | https://www.formyblock.org/ |
| Working with Your Personal Attendant to Keep you Safe from Coronavirus | UIC Cancer Center | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ngeAOf6QTBkgmfB0v9tbBSyj8gI7g4DN/view?usp=sharing |
| Federal Stimulus Packages – Summary of Key Provisions | Cancer Action Network | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NE6wt7PAhV1rNjR4cN4bjcZB7QGn-wiR/view?usp=sharing |
Resources for the Research Community
The Chicago COVID-19 Repository https://zenodo.org/communities/chicago-covid-19 has been created by Northwestern University for preserving and sharing research and information that may be relevant to COVID-19 control efforts in Chicago. Users are encouraged to upload their research outputs to facilitate sharing and discovery of information.
Resources for Community-Engaged Research Partnerships During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities (ARCC) at Northwestern University developed three resources to help community-academic research collaborations consider and address the impact of COVID-19 on health equity and their research projects and partnerships.
Tool PDF: Staying True to Principles of Engagement in Community-Engaged Research Partnerships during the COVID-19 Pandemic that provides ideas and resources to support community & academic partners.
Community Document for Sharing Ideas, Questions, & Resources on the same topic to facilitate open sharing of additional ideas and questions. Any one is able to add and share.
Virtual Discussion: Wednesday, April 8, 11am-12pm on the same topic. ARCC is also hosting this virtual zoom gathering to facilitate sharing and discussion of experiences, ideas, and challenges. Open to any interested community and academic partners.
COVID-19 Resources for the Oncology Community presented by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Other Resources
Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak. Published by the HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Social Distancing Nutrition Tips
Scholastic Learn at Home is offering free online courses with daily projects so your kids can keep learning while schools are closed
See these Virtual Field trips for kids
Free story telling podcasts for kids
Daily lunch time guided doodling with Mo Willems
Zoos and aquariums that are live-streaming animals for people to enjoy during coronavirus isolation
List of Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions Due to School Closings
10 University Art Classes You Can Take for Free Online
Fitness studios that are live-streaming workout classes for free during the coronavirus outbreak
Free live concerts to stream
Chicago Public Library cardholders can access library resources and information, including eBooks, audiobooks, music, video and online resources, 24/7 on the CPL website.
How to Help
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” ― Fred Rogers
Disaster Volunteerism for the State of Illinois
and Northwestern University’s Center for Health Equity Transformation