Meharry Community Engagement Core

May 2020

An informed guide to the COVID-19 outbreak, recent developments and resources available to the Nashville-Davidson County area.

Other Local Testing Sites: In this issue: Nissan Stadium, Lot N  Local COVID-19 1 Titans Way Nashville, TN 37213 Testing Former K-Mart  Food Assistance 2491 Murfreesboro Pike Nashville, TN 37217  Utilities Assistance Appointments are NOT Local Job Opportunities required

Local & National Referral NOT required

COVID-19 Online *Tests limited to certain Resources patients!  Meharry In The News

Middle Tennessee Food Assistance

Westwood Baptist Church, University Center | 2510 Albion St Nashville, TN 37208 | Open: Thursdays 5:30 - 7:30PM | Providing Food Boxes

Inspiritus 1628 Rosa Parks Blvd Nashville, TN 37208 | Open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 830AM - 11AM | Providing Food and Household Items

The Nashville Food Project’s Community Cupboard | Fat Bottom Brewing 800 44th Ave N Nashville, TN 37208 | Musicians, Artists, Restaurant, and Hospitality Workers who have lost jobs due to COVID-19 can receive weekly grocery bags | To Request A Food Box email [email protected], put Grocery Box Request in the subject line

MNPS Food Boxes are available on Wednesdays from 1-3PM at the following locations: Antioch High School | Glencliff High School | Hillwood High School | McGavock High School | Haywood Elementary School | Hermitage Community Center | Looby Community Center | Madison Community Center | Hartman Community Center COVID Help Nashville connects individuals with a volunteer who is able to grocery shop, pick-up medication and/orHow run We errands Do It? for those who are unable or worried about leaving their home. The service is free but those utilizing the service are responsible for payment of items. | Email: [email protected] or call 615.447.8260

*Please note locations, dates, and times are subject to change*

Internet & Phone Assistance

Internet Essentials - Low-income families who live in a Comcast service area are encouraged to apply. Now, new customers can receive 60 days of complimentary service. To apply visit www.internetessentials.com

NES - In response to COVID-19 Nashville Electric Service (NES) will suspend power disconnections for non-payment until June 30th. During this time, NES will waive late-fee charges and absorb credit card fees for customers. Call 615.736.6900 for more information about your account and payments.

Lifeline - You are eligible for Lifeline benefits if you receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Veteran’s or Survivor’s pension. Income limitations apply. Call 615.666.2151 for more information.

Coping with COVID-19 Employee Rights

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Summary :

Public and Private employers with fewer than 500 employees must provide paid sick leave or expanded family medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-10.

Covered employees are eligible for 2 weeks of paid sick time at a regular rate of regular pay for reasons related to COVID-19. Employees employed for at least 30 days are eligible for up to an additional 10 weeks at 2/3 pay rate for family leave to care for a child under certain circumstances.

Image: From the National Institute of Mental Health *For more info visit the federal Department of Labor website. Now Hiring

*Please note, this information is subject to change*

Local & National COVID-19 Online Resources

Meharry Medical College: www.home.mmc.edu/covid-19-info Metro Health Department: www.nashville.gov/Health-Department.aspx Nashville Nurtures: www.nashvillenurtures.com TN Department of Health COVID-19 Testing Sites: www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ ncov/remote-assessment-sites.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html Employee Paid Leave Rights: www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/Pandemic/ FFCRA-Employee_Paid_Leave_Rights.pdf

*Please note, this information is subject to change*

Meharry In The News

Meharry researchers working to develop COVID-19 antiviral treatment

Erika Glover, Nashville, Fox 17 Nashville

Experts are working around-the-clock to find successful COVID-19 treatments. Meanwhile, researchers in Nashville are looking into how certain drugs could be altered to become possible remedies.

Meharry Medical College President and CEO Dr. James Hildreth said one of their research scientists, Dr. Donald Alcendor, is working to develop a COVID-19 antiviral treatment.

“Dr. Alcendor is taking a compound he developed for treating the Zika virus,” explained Dr. Hildreth.

Just a few years ago, Dr. Alcendor worked on a successful antiviral drug to treat the Zika virus. Now he's in his lab modifying a compound in hopes of targeting COVID-19.

“By modifying the current drug that he had we’re going to test it against the COVID-19 virus,” Dr. Hildreth exclaimed. “The advantage of doing that is you have a head start because you have something to work from as opposed to trying to develop a drug from scratch.”

Dr. Alcendor could be less than two weeks away from clinical testing. Meanwhile, Meharry is pushing folks in the North Nashville community to take advantage of their drive-up assessment site on campus that is free of charge.

“On Monday I believe we tested almost 200 individuals in a single day and I believe that it’s really good because the more testing we do the better handle we’ll have on where to allocate resources,” Dr. Alcendor said.

Their goal is to provide potentially life saving services in underserved communities.

“What testing does is it makes the invisible enemy visible and we have a better chance of fighting it.”

*Source: FOX17.com

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