Coronavirus hurts Americans' access to food
For many in the United States, nutritious food is already difficult - and Covid-19 does not have any.
Today theWorld Health Organization declared The global epidemic of COVID-19, the disease caused bycoronavirus, a pandemic after almost120,000 people around the world tested positive.
At this point, you probably feel flooded with information about thePrecautions against coronavirus You should take, for example, wash your hands, work from home (if you can) and storage food (if you can). But what is not so easily discussed, how many people in America could soon find incredibly difficult to get their hands on nutritious foods.
One in seven or46 million people, in the United States, rest on food banks, pantries and meal service programs, according to a 2014 study fromNourish America. In the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, many of us run to the grocery store and liftingPackaged and canned foods and other non-perishable in case of self-or mandated quarantine.
However, everyone is not lucky financially in a financial way to raise supplies in a large shopping trip. In reality,A recent study conducted byFirst National Bank of Omaha found that 49% of US adults expect to live the payroll check this year. Those with additional disposable income, on the other hand, buy all bulk; Effectively wiping clean grocery stores of essential products. As a result, this leaves minimum donations behind local food banks, which puts even more limitations on those already in food security.
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The associate director of theWhite food bank in Seattle, Washington, Carmen Smith, saysKitchyn She noted that this creeping rise in packaged foods and supplies cause people who do not normally frequent food banks to lie down because they can not find what they need in a normal store. But again, it is difficult for food banks to reconstitute their supplies if the grocery shelves are already empty, as these institutions depend strongly on donations.
"After discussing with the reception manager at one of the shops, they were completely wiped earlier in the week, which is why our donations are down," Smith said.
Not only the effects of coronavirus food banks face, but the continued propagation of the disease has also prompted schools to close the country to try to contain it.While no school looks like a luxury for students, the reality is far from it, especially for two-thirds of the 31 million students who whodepends on the financial plan of school lunch.
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During a state or a state of emergency declared federal (such as an epidemic of a virus), approved districts are allowed to offer additional meal services, offering similar offers to what would be served in a Summer feeding program. However, since these types of programs requirediet, which requires children to gather in a place to get their meal, it is not possible for this to happen in the middle of the civid pandemic.
Following theSuggestions from CDC, theAssociation of school nutrition sent aopen letter Agriculture Secretary Sonny lost Last week asking meals to be delivered to students to eliminate large groups of people gathering.
"Allow delivery of meals to satellite sites, schools equipped to do so can provide meals in many parts across the community, minimizing families' dependence on public transport to access meals", wrote Gay Anderson, SNS President.
Since yesterday, the USDA has approved such requests, and others in three states: Washington, California and Alaska. Only the time will tell how many other schools will close during the epidemic, but it goes without saying that the effects of coronaviruses are more complex than you could not think of the origin. And the food shortage for many people in America can become a serious, fast problem.
How can you help
To do your part, do not try your local food stores completely if you have the way to do it. Buy what is needed for you (and those who live with you) to keep in mind that others will also need these foods.
Second, support your local restaurants that will have trouble enjoying their doors by ordering delivery or take away when possible.
You can also consider donating non-profits such as food in America, which help feed people in need throughout the country.
People who are on the front-line lines fighting pandemic coronavirus, such as doctors, nurses and doctors, can also appreciate all donations or food deliveries you can expand. An excellent option is to search for searching for your local neighborhood or government social media accounts for the specific means in which you can donate money, food or wishes.
