The Coronavirus Care Fund Offers Immediate Financial Aid to Domestic Workers During the Outbreak
While many of us are able to work from home or take paid time off during the coronavirus scare, we must remember that not all who work have those options. Domestic workers like nannies and house cleaners are in an especially tricky situation, as many are not offered health care benefits, paid sick leave, or job security. Some can't afford to stop working, which might incite them to compromise their health, and the health of others, in order to continue making money. That's why the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) has created a special emergency relief fund in order to support them.
The Coronavirus Care Fund, which opened for donations on Monday, was created in order to offer immediate financial support to nannies, house cleaners, and in-home care providers facing hardships during the pandemic, according to a press release. Not only was this fund created to help these workers keep food on the table, but provide them with enough funds to stay home from work without worry. The release offers the statistic that 40% of Americans can’t handle a $400 emergency, explaining that domestic workers can fall into this category, and a few days without work can really set them back. The alliance hopes to raise $4,000,000 in order to support 10,000 workers.
NDWA executive director Ai-jen Poo explains how many nannies are still expected to work during this difficult time, or face being fired without notice. "Meanwhile, home care workers are working round the clock to care for some of the people most vulnerable to coronavirus, older people and people with chronic illnesses," she says. Other domestic workers, like house cleaners, who dedicate their lives to cleaning and disinfecting the homes of others, have already taken a hit in income as there has been a spike in cancellations amidst the outbreak.
Financial support will be distributed through NDWA's Alia platform, which has been working to provide paid time off and group insurance benefits to domestic workers since 2018. "Times like these remind us how connected we all are. We believe people will appreciate the opportunity to show care for the people who care for us," Poo says. You can donate to the Coronavirus Care Fund here.
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