The Pilipino Workers Center is raising funds to provide temporary housing, food and other emergency needs to Filipino frontliners who may have been exposed to the virus and need to self-isolate but has nowhere to go to. Photo from the Facebook page of the Pilipino Workers Center
LOS ANGELES, California - A Filipino group is shifting its focus to help vulnerable workers like caregivers, who at times have nowhere to go, as the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.
The Pilipino Workers Center cited the case of caregiver "Tony" who was locked out of his own apartment after being exposed to coronavirus at the workplace, and the roommates did not want to risk infection, forcing him to sleep in a tent.
"Isa natin kababayan that had to self-isolate in a tent sa likod ng apartment especially at this time when it's raining and the weather is not so good, we need to make sure everyone has adequate facilities, to shelter in that everyone has access to shelter," said Aqui Soriano Versoza, executive director of the PWC.
Since the outbreak crippled the economy, PWC set up a carefund and distributed some 200 care boxes containing food, and personal protective equipment.
They’ve managed to secure temporary living spaces for quarantined caregivers like Tony.
"PWC is providing places to help you self isolate para healthy and safe kayo and healthy and safe all the people around you," Versoza said.
The state has recently turned hotels and hospitals into quarantine centers, and while the process has been confusing, PWC said they will try to look into working with government officials on how workers can find shelters.
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caregivers, Filipino healthcare workers, Balitang America, coronavirus California, Pilipino Workers Center, California