Forward Watch, August 7
Greyshirts are responding to wildfire and flood damage under COVID-19 safety protocols.
Team Rubicon has 54 COVID-19 response operations underway with seven more in the planning stages. Already, 226 operations have been completed. Currently, two disaster relief operations are underway with six more in the RECON stage.
International: Roughly 19 million cases of COVID-19 and 712,000 related deaths have been reported worldwide. The French health ministry chief warned that people must keep up efforts to fight COVID-19 among an uptick of infections in France and across Europe. In Africa, confirmed cases of COVID-19 have surpassed 1 million.
United States: Nearly 4.9 million cases of COVID-19 and 160,000 related deaths have been reported in the U.S. The state department has ended its blanket travel abroad advisory; however, many countries still have a ban on travelers coming from the U.S. A recent study found that 49% of the nation’s communities with a median income of $35,000 or less had no access to intensive care beds. This is in stark contrast to the nation’s highest earning communities where only 3% lack access to intensive care beds.
How Team Rubicon is Responding to COVID-19
Team Rubicon is answering requests for assistance from local, state, and federal partners to support emergency humanitarian relief efforts in communities across the country. Our response focuses on ensuring access to nutrition, medical care, and essential government services for people who have been impacted by the pandemic. We’re putting safety first and following precautionary guidelines on every operation to protect the health of our volunteers and the communities they serve.
In addition to our organized operations, Greyshirts have performed 6,633 individual acts of service on a local level as part of our Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiative. They have also made 1,184 critical food deliveries to immunocompromised individuals and their families through the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Our New Coronavirus Response Operations
Augusta, GA
Greyshirts will be assisting the Georgia Emergency Management Agency by distributing free facemasks to families affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Nationwide
Through Team Rubicon’s partnership with Feeding America and close work with other local food banks, Greyshirts are providing manpower and organizational support to help meet an increased need for meal distribution programs in these communities:
Pima, AZ
Englewood, CO
Foxborough, MA
Seattle, WA
Our New Disaster Relief Operations
Niland, CA
In the wake of a wildfire that affected the town, Greyshirts will use chainsaws and heavy equipment to remove felled trees and debris from residents’ property.
St. Joseph, MO
Heavy rain caused localized flooding in a socially vulnerable area where many residents lack insurance. Greyshirts will assist with recovery by performing muck-outs and debris removal for the community.
Current and Planned Operations
To support Team Rubicon’s ongoing coronavirus response efforts, please donate today.
