COVID-19 : Let's protect each other!

"You never know whose life you might save by choosing to act." Brian Drury Background The first COVID-19 case was reported in Ethiopia on March 13, 2020. COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. According to the WHO, the virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing). Individuals can also be infected from touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and touching their face (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth). The COVID-19 virus may survive on surfaces for several hours, but simple disinfectants can kill it. Street sweepers and trash collectors are prone to be exposed to surfaces contaminated with the virus among the many modes of transmission. Some of the methods to slow down or spread COVID-19 are washing hands often with soap and water as well as cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects. In order to do both, street sweepers and trash collectors need soap and surface cleaners. Moreover, with school closures and possible business closures, the outbreak can worsen food insecurity. We plan to provide groceries for families  who can't have food on their table if they don't go out to work. Street sweepers and trash collectors are serving their communities and doing their part. Are we doing our part in keeping them safe? About us We are young people from different sectors trying to do our part in fighting COVID-19 in Ethiopia through serving street cleaners and trash collectors. Objectives - Improve the hand hygiene of at least 500 street sweepers and trash collectors by providing sanitary materials by April 30, 2020 - Increase the knowledge of at least 500 street sweepers and trash collectors on COVID-19 by providing health education by April 30, 2020 - Ensure the food security of at least 100 households by providing non perishable food items by May 31, 2020 Our ask - Donate money for sanitary products or groceries: by using this gofundme page if you are outside of Ethiopia or by wiring your donations directly to a local account (contact us to find out the details of the local bank account) - Donate in-kind sanitary products or non-perishable food items at our drop-off points: 1. Sarbet, Shoa Supermarket bldg. (in front of Canada Embassy). 2. Bole Medhanialem, Abyssinia Plaza 3rd floor. We need each other now more than ever. Thank you for doing your part!