On Memorial Day weekend, community, faith, labor leaders, medical professionals, and activists gathered across New York State to hold simultaneous socially-distanced vigils at hard-hit nursing facilities where 5,500 residents have died from COVID-19. Organized by Hand in Hand as part of the NY Caring Majority coalition, these actions are part of an ongoing campaign to
We know how much you’ve been juggling these last few months. It never ends, caring for children, cleaning up after them, preparing meals and snacks, coming up with activities, helping them with distance learning, and trying to get a few minutes of work in at the same time. As stay at home restrictions are lifting,
By Susan Naimark, Boston, MA It’s easy to become overwhelmed during this coronavirus pandemic. And fearful about so much uncertainty. For those of us well positioned to have some semblance of stability – a roof over our heads, enough money in the bank to cover basic expenses for an extended period, supportive friends and family
Domestic workers are a vulnerable population who have minimum protections under the law. Though protections have been extended to many workers during the COVID-19 crisis, protections are not permanent and employees may only be covered for 10 days of paid leave. Many domestic workers fall through the cracks and are unable to sustain themselves. For
Are you an employer—or former employer—struggling to understand how to support a domestic worker in this moment of uncertainty and fear? Helping them parse the finer points of unemployment insurance and the new relief packages is one huge way that you can support your worker if you are in the unfortunate position of having to
On March 10, Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts. Many of us are anxious and scared about how the virus will impact us and our communities. While it’s hard to know what will happen, especially as new information is released hourly, we do know that this virus is exposing many of
As we navigate a scary time in the United States at the height of the coronavirus crisis, many cities and states are being issued “Shelter in Place” or “Stay at Home” orders by executives like governors and mayors. What does that mean for domestic workers like nannies and home care attendants and what are the
On March 16th, Governor Tom Wolf declared a state of emergency in Pennsylvania. Many of us are anxious and scared about how the virus will impact us and our communities. While it’s hard to know what will happen, especially as new information is released hourly, we do know that this virus is exposing many of
How to Approach Tough Conversations during COVID-19 In this moment of global anxiety and fear, as we brace ourselves to read headlines or avoid them altogether, it’s important that we also be prepared to face the difficult conversations we need to have with the people around us in order to prioritize health and safety for
***At Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers, we acknowledge that we are at the height of the COVID-19 crisis as cases continue to rise. It is important during this time that we do everything we can to adhere to Governor Cuomo’s guidelines for the safety of our families, our domestic worker’s safety and most of
