Resources
Westchester Community College continues to monitor closely the evolving public health situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). A Preparedness Response Team is working closely with all areas of the college to respond to this evolving situation. The team continues to maintain close contact with the Westchester County Department of Health, New York State Department of Health, and the State University of New York System Administration.
Important Phone Numbers
- People under self-quarantine or exposure to a known case, call (866) 588-0195
- NYS Department of Health coronavirus (COVID-19) Hotline (888) 364-3065
- Westchester County coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Call 211
Prevention & General Information
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has information on how to protect yourself and what to do if you are sick.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has specifics about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) including specifics on the virus and outbreak.
- The New York State Department of Health posts the latest updates from Governor Cuomo as well as the most up-to-date information on number of infected persons.
- The Westchester County Department of Health has information on local school district closings, healthcare providers, and more.
Mental Health & Wellness
- Call with questions or concerns about travel and symptoms
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has guidance on managing mental health and coping during coronavirus (COVID-19) for children and caregivers, as well as guidance for higher education administrators.
- The Child Mind Institute has published a resource on how to talk to young people about COVID-19.
- The Hope Center has outlined resources for supporting college students during this crisis.
- The American College Health Association has created a guide to help college health staff and campus administrators address coronavirus (COVID-19) on campus.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has information on travel, media resources, and other research on coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America Psychologist Jelena Kecmanovic provides some science-based strategies and tips for coping with COVID-19 anxiety.
Unemployment & Financial Assistance
- If you have lost a job, file for unemployment benefits immediately, even if you do not think you qualify. New York State has recently ended the 7-day waiting period, so you can file a claim sooner. You can file for benefits online through the New York State Department of Labor. https://labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm
- If you worked for a restaurant chain or in the hospitality industry, check with your employer to see if they are offering any type of relief aid. Some companies are providing employees with food and other types of assistance.
- The government is suspending all federal student loan payments for 60 days, and setting the interest rate on student loans to zero, until at least May 12th so if you owe money on student loans, you will be getting a break. To obtain the 60-day reprieve, borrowers will have to submit a request to their loan servicers, such as Navient, Nelnet, FedLoan Servicing or Great Lakes, over the phone or online.
- The Internal Revenue Service has postponed the tax filing date from April 15 to July 15th. However, if you are expecting a refund, you do not need to wait. You should file as soon as possible in order to get your money more quickly. Please let us know if you need help filing a return.