Nearly everyone was caught off guard when the new coronavirus went from obscure news story to global pandemic, causing more than 30,000 deaths worldwide and bringing the American economy to a grinding halt.

Here is a list of resources that can serve as a starting point for help or advice.

For example, a map created by the office of City Council President Brandon Scott includes the locations of health clinics, food distribution sites, and special grocery stores for the immuno-compromised.

Maryland agencies offer insurance, funding and check-in calls for seniors.

If you’re healthy and would like to contribute your time or money, there are many opportunities.

If you know of something that should be on this list, email us at editors@baltimorebrew.com.

Public Health Websites

World Health Organization – A United Nations entity, WHO provides useful and trustworthy information in many languages. WHO declared the coronavirus a global pandemic.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC is the country’s top public health agency.

Maryland Department of Health – Tracks confirmed cases, deaths and more. FAQs, links to Hogan press releases.

Baltimore City Health Department – Tracks confirmed cases, links to help those seeking food, services for elderly and more.

Baltimore County government – COVID-19 updates with advice on getting food distribution aid, help for seniors

COVID-19 Global Cases – A map tracker by the Center for System Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center – Exhaustive information portal by Johns Hopkins University and Medicine drawing from infectious disease, public health and other experts to guide individuals, governments and policymakers

Local, State, School Resources

City Council President Brandon Scott’s “Asset Map” – Shows location of food distribution sites, clinics and other resources

Free meals for youth – From the Mayor’s Office of Children & Family Success

Unemployment insurance claims –  From the Maryland Department of Labor

Small business relief and incentives – From the Maryland Department of Commerce

Health insurance and COVID-19-related issues – From the Maryland Insurance Administration

Seniors call check-in – Older adults can sign up for an automated daily check-in call providing information on the virus and verifying the senior’s well-being. If the call is not returned, another contact is notified. From Maryland Department of Aging

Baltimore City Public Schools – Includes links about local food distribution sites and student “learning packets”

Baltimore County Public Schools – Information and updates related to the virus.

Small business resources – From the Enoch Pratt Library, includes info about state aid programs, online meeting platforms and more

Quick phone help – For free meals, call 211. For emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency service requests, call 311.

Volunteer and Service Opportunities

Personal protective equipment – To help front line medical workers, Baltimore Health Professionals Mutual Aid Cooperative is collecting new masks, gloves, gowns, etc. for front line medical workers. Email bmorehealthmac@gmail.com for more info

Help laid-off service industry workers – Donate money if you can. Names, employers and venmo’s listed here.

Food aid – The Maryland Food Bank will accept donations and volunteers.

Food relief organizing – Big grassroots effort to get food to city food deserts Bmore Community Food

City list of opportunities – Baltimore City Health Department’s “How To Get Involved” page

County list of opportunities – Baltimore County’s “Agencies/Volunteers” page

Government Information

CharmTV – Broadcasts Baltimore City government meetings and press conferences, live and has videos of previous events on its “Government” page.

President Donald Trump – (Facebook, Twitter)

Gov. Larry Hogan (Facebook,  Twitter )

Mayor Jack Young (Facebook, Twitter )

City Council President Brandon Scott (Facebook, Twitter )

Mike Ricci, Gov. Hogan’s communications director (Twitter) – A good way to stay on top of breaking news out of Annapolis

Legal Help, Councseling

House of Ruth – Provides services to victims of intimate partner violence. Their hotline number: 410-889-7884

410-889-7884

Brew Reporting on Pandemic

• Another front in the war on COVID-19 – child care centers (3/27/20)

• Hogan extends Maryland public school closure to April 24 (3/25/20)

• Volunteers seek protective equipment for city’s frontline medical care providers (3/25/20)

• Baltimore in lockdown: Many city services suspended (3/23/)

• A message from the experts: COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate (3/24/20)

For More Brew Coverage: The Covid-19 Pandemic