Peace Corps has a new page with Virus Updates and NPCA has a Plan
Dale, You are so right about the Facebook page - it is THE source of information for the evacuated PCVs.…
The evacuating PCVs have many questions. For those of you who may be contacted for information by parents and/or others, here is the Peace Corps link: https://www.peacecorps.gov/coronavirus/
The National Peace Corps Association has also come forth with a plan. https://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/articles/a-message-from-npca-president-glenn-blumhorst-to-peace-corps-evacuees
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Joanne: Thank you for your reporting.
Yes, have a good thanking for making our lives better. Here’s the million dollar question: what will happen when you are gone. I may be gone too (83 on Mar 21, 2020). It takes 30 years for a yellow pine tree to grow one inch. We are no pine tree. But while we are here we do what we can, not looking back, looking forward. Thank you for your broad shoulders and the cross-bracing our tent. Ed
If you’re not already aware of it, please let me introduce you to a really special Facebook page … “U.S. Peace Corps COVID-19 Evacuation Support Group” … Cut and paste the whole title into the Facebook search box and it will take you to this new page … it is only a couple of days old and there are already over 5000 members to the page… It is an extremely interesting page to read postings… And you just might find a role to play yourself. You can imagine that among the thousands of evacuated PCVs there are going to be many who will need special help … everything from folks with PTSD to just simply needing a bed to sleep in for a while.
Dale,
You are so right about the Facebook page – it is THE source of information for the evacuated PCVs. To see how the RPCV community has responded is just overwhelming. Now the administrator, Joshua Johnson, RPCV, and the NPCA are working together to inform the evacuatees. Also, the RPCV NPCA affiliate groups around the country are stepping up. The financial need is high. CORRECTION; THIS FACEBOOK PAGE HAS CHANGED ITS NAME. IT IS A PRIVATE GROUP AND IT SCREENS THOSE WHO WANT TO BE MEMBERS TO IDENTIFY THEIR NAME, COUNTRY AND DATES OF SERVICE. HERE IS THE NEW NAME: Returned Peace Corps COVID-19 Evacuation Support [Community-Generated] Go to Facebook page and put this title in the search box.
The evacuatees are being offered, now, two months health care coverage. But one of the real problems they are facing is the need, for some, maybe all, to self-quarantine , But, mamy of them cannot go home because they have parents in the high risk group and can not risk being exposed. Peace Corps has advised evacuatees can go to a hotel for fourteen days and then can be reimbursed. However, I would assume that many do not have credit cards which would accept charges for 14 days of hotel living, plus food, probably room service or delivery for 14 days. So, I hope Congress will do something, immediately, to help them. Some RPCVs have connections with colleges who have closed dorms and have suggested that many Peace Corps could rent rooms for evacuees. I don’t know.
Personally, my husband was probably exposed ten days ago so we are self-isolating. It is so frustrating not to be able to offer any help. Plus, we are under blizzard warning and can expect power outages.I am on the watch for locusts!
Joanne did discuss this Facebook page on another thread,