CovidSMS - Help the Most At-Risk Among Us!

As the pandemic rages on in the United States, having access to critical resources such as food, medication, and public health information is paramount to ensuring that the most vulnerable among us are protected during these unprecedented times. However, not all of us have the privilege of “just Googling” where the nearest testing center or food bank may be. Recent studies have found that 46% of all Americans do not have a home computer and 44% do not have reliable access to the Internet, and communities of color as well as people experiencing homelessness are most likely to be affected by this information drought. Researchers have found that the death rate from Covid-19 for African Americans is 13.2 per 100,000 people, compared with 9.8 for Latinos, 7.9 for Asians and 5.7 for whites. The shutdown of community centers, clinics, and homeless shelters where people previously picked up flyers or received information through word-of-mouth has significantly reduced the efficacy of community organizers. As such, it becomes crucial that a streamlined, accessible form of communication is made available to those who would otherwise lack an alternative. To address this dire lack in resource access, we created CovidSMS.


CovidSMS is a text-based, free-to-use platform that allows anyone to get the most up-to-date Covid-19 statistics and public health information in their zip code. Not only that, but CovidSMS can also help users find local testing centers, food banks, state-specific unemployment information, as well as a direct connection to a volunteer through our partnership with Covaid, a mutual aid network whose volunteers deliver necessary supplies to at-risk community members. CovidSMS started as an idea in a hackathon hosted by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design. Out of 250 teams that entered, CovidSMS was chosen to be one of seven finalists. At 1500 current users, CovidSMS has become a passion project by a dedicated group of college students, but we need your support.


To keep our service free for users, we have to cover the costs for all outgoing and incoming texts. Donations to CovidSMS will go towards ensuring that we will be able to provide this service for people disproportionately affected by the pandemic, as well as helping us expand to other low-income neighborhoods that need vital resources. It is our vision that at-risk people across the nation have the means to protect themselves and their families from the many social issues the pandemic has exacerbated. With your help, we can bridge the information and health gap together and provide critical support to those who need it most. Just $5 dollars will provide a family of 4 with over 3 months worth of critical health information and resource access. Any amount helps, and we thank everyone who has supported us on this journey!


To try it for yourself, text “start” to [phone redacted], or visit covidsms.org!