Covid-19

Guest Blog: Masks for MOMS Brings Peace of Mind to Pregnant Moms

Written by our partners at ACCESS Community Health Network. 

Elizabeth, a West Garfield Park resident, joined ACCESS’ Westside Healthy Start program over 11 years ago when she was pregnant with her first child. Now, a mother of four and navigating her fifth pregnancy through a pandemic, Elizabeth is even more thankful for the extra support. Her motto these days is simply to “stay healthy and keep my kids happy.”

When ACCESS’ Westside Healthy Start team called her to offer her cloth masks through Masks for MOMS, Elizabeth admitted, “when this pandemic first started, I didn’t think it was that big of a deal but when they called me to offer the masks, I knew it was serious.”

“Now, I wear my masks everywhere. It is so nice that they are reusable cloth, and I can just throw them in the wash,” said Elizabeth. 

The Masks for MOMs campaign was created to ensure that pregnant people and women in labor and delivery have access to face masks at their prenatal visits and when they arrive at hospitals for delivery. According to the CDC, wearing face masks where social distancing may be challenging can help slow the spread of illness. 

By providing masks to pregnant women, ACCESS hopes more women, like Elizabeth, will feel safe to visit their provider for their critical prenatal appointments and be less stressed when they commute and run necessary errands for their family.

Due in December, Elizabeth looks forward to her delivery, appearing to have a sense of peace because she was able to do what she could to stay safe and healthy by wearing a mask. “This program is a blessing,” said Elizabeth.

Masks for MOMS is continuing this vital work, and we need your support. Visit masksforMOMS to learn how you can get involved, volunteer to make masks, and donate today.

Protecting and Caring for Your Family during the Coronavirus Outbreak. It can be hard to know exactly how to take care of your family during COVID-19. You may also be struggling to get the things you need, like food and diapers, right now. This article provides answers to common questions people in Illinois have about caring for their family during this crisis. This page also includes links to the resources we like best. Click any link to learn more!

How can I protect my family from coronavirus?

There is a lot of information out there about preventing the spread of Coronavirus. The best place to read about preventing Coronavirus is this website from the CDC. Here are the most important things you can do:

• Stay home as much as possible! This disease spreads easily. The best way to stay healthy is to avoid contact with others. You should regularly clean and disinfect the things that you touch a lot. Click this link for advice from the CDC on how to effectively clean.    
• Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water. It is especially important to wash your hands after coughing or sneezing; while preparing food; and after you have been in a public place.
• When you do leave home, wear a mask. Masks are helpful in preventing the spread of COVID-19, especially when they are worn by many people. Anyone over the age of 2 should wear a mask over their mouth and nose anytime they are in a public space. You should also take care to avoid people who are not wearing masks, staying at least 6 feet away when possible.  
• Know what to do if you or someone in your home gets sick. The most important thing you can do is stay home. Click there to get other helpful advice from the CDC.

What should I do if I am pregnant?

There is a lot of information out there about preventing the spread of Coronavirus. The best place to read about preventing Coronavirus is this website from the CDC.

Here are the most important things you can do:

• Stay home as much as possible! This disease spreads easily. The best way to stay healthy is to avoid contact with others. You should regularly clean and disinfect the things that you touch a lot. Click this link for advice from the CDC on how to effectively clean.
• Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water. It is especially important to wash your hands after coughing or sneezing; while preparing food; and after you have been in a public place.

• When you do leave home, wear a mask. Masks are helpful in preventing the spread of COVID-19, especially when they are worn by many people. Anyone over the age of 2 should wear a mask over their mouth and nose anytime they are in a public space. You should also take care to avoid people who are not wearing masks, staying at least 6 feet away when possible. 
• Know what to do if you or someone in your home gets sick. The most important thing you can do is stay home. Click there to get other helpful advice from the CDC.

What should I do if my child needs their annual check up (also known as a well care visit)? 

Many health care providers are still providing routine health care to their patients and are taking steps to make sure that you and your family are safe during in-person visits.They may only offer a few appointment times per day, ask you and your child to wear a mask during the visit if they are over 2 years of age, ask you to wait in the car until your appointment, or limit the number of people that can attend the appointment. Contact your health care provider to learn more about their safety practices. 

It is important that your child stays up-to-date on their vaccines, especially during COVID-19. Click here to find more vaccine resources, including how to find a provider if you do not have one. 

• You should schedule an in-person appointment with your doctor if your infant or young child (0-24 months of age) needs a vaccination. Recommended vaccine information can be found on the CDC website.
• If you have an older child, or a child that does not need vaccinations, call your health care provider before scheduling the appointment. If they are able, the provider may provide the visit over the phone or computer. They may also ask you to delay the appointment.

What should I do if I lose my job?

Losing your job can be hard. There are a few important steps you should take right away to protect your family.

• You should apply for unemployment as soon as possible. Many people qualify for unemployment right now and there is no waiting period to begin receiving unemployment. You can click this link learn more and apply or you can call 1-800-244-5631.
   
• If you had health insurance through your job you will need to get new insurance when you lose your job. You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and be able to get low-cost insurance through Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act. Click here to learn more about special enrollment periods. You should also visit www.getcoveredillinois.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to see what insurance options may be available to you and to get help signing up for coverage.
   
• You might qualify for help paying for food through the SNAP program. You can click this link to find out how to apply for SNAP and get help completing your application.

What should I do if I don’t have health insurance?

Many people already have health insurance, which will make your medical care more affordable. You may be able to get low-cost insurance, especially if you have recently lost your job. All health insurance plans in Illinois will cover testing for coronavirus for free.

Click here to learn more about your health insurance options.

You should visit www.getcoveredillinois.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to see what insurance options may be available to you and to get help signing up for coverage.

What should I do if I have questions about my health insurance?

You should call the phone number on the back of your insurance card if you have questions about how to use your insurance.  This website has helpful information.

What should I do if I need food for me and my family?

Many people need help to have enough food and it might be difficult to find food at grocery stores right now.

If you need food, there are a few important resources to directly access food right now.

• You may be able to get free food from a local food bank. Click here to find your local food bank and learn how to get food.
   
• You may be able to get help paying for food by applying for SNAP, also called food stamps. Click here to find out how to apply for SNAP and get help completing your application.​
   
• Need Help Buying Food for Your School Age Children?  You may be able to get benefits through a special SNAP program if your child would usually be in school right now and received meals through the free and reduced meals program. This program is called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT. In order to get this special support you must have a child between 3 and 17 years old or have a child between 18 and 22 years old who is enrolled in high school. 

• If you are pregnant or have a young child, you might be able do get additional food by applying for WIC. Click here to find our more about WIC and how to apply. 

What should I do if I have WIC?

If you are already enrolled in WIC, you can continue to receive WIC coupons during the COVID-19 outbreak. Call your local WIC clinic if you are having trouble using your coupons. If you have other questions or do not know the number for your local WIC clinic you should call the Illinois Department of Human Services Helpline at 1-800-843-6154. If you require TTY services, call 1-866-324-5553.

Click more to learn more about Illinois WIC.

Milk Substitutions Are Available

If the store does not have the type of milk listed on your coupon (2%, Skim, Whole), you are allowed to use your coupons on a different milk type that is available. Click here for more frequently asked questions about shopping with WIC.

What should I do if I need help finding diapers?

If you are having trouble finding diapers you should call 211 and ask for help finding diapers. If you are still having trouble finding diapers, call your local food pantry and ask if they have diapers. Many food pantries regularly share diapers with the community. Click here to find your localfood pantry.

What should I do if I need child care?

The Governor has ordered child care centers across the state to close. If you are an essential worker, like a nurse or grocery store worker, you can get emergency child care. Click this link to find emergency child care or you call 1.888.228.1146 between 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

What should I do if I or someone in my family is experiencing violence or abuse at home? 

You can call the state’s domestic violence hotline at anytime. The phone number is 1-877-863-6338. You can call 24 hours a day to receive free and private advice and support. If you require TTY services, call 1-877-863-6339.

What should I do if I or someone in my family is having mental health challenges?

The changes we are all experiencing in our lives as we try to prevent coronavirus are hard. It is normal to feel scared, sad, or lonely and there is help available. You should call the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-6264 to talk to someone for free. This phone number is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

If you would like to learn more about the NAMI Helpline or find help for people in an immediate crisis, like people experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you should also call 1-800-950-6264 or click this link.

Postpartum Depression 

Any person can develop postpartum depression during or after pregnancy. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Talk with your health care provider or a knowledgeable mental health professional if you have any questions about postpartum depression or its treatment. 

For help, call this FREE 24-hour crisis hotline: 1-866-364-MOMS (1-866-364-6667) 

Click here to learn more about postpartum depression.