MEMPHIS, Tenn — As our nation and our world deal with the difficulties of the COVID-19 outbreak, we recognize the economic challenge this pandemic poses to the hospitality industry as many of you and/or your employees are facing the loss of your jobs.
We are here to help by disseminating financial assistance through the Welcome to Memphis COVID-19 Fund. Starting today, hourly workers in the hospitality industry who have received a termination notice may apply for for a one-time grant online at the Welcome to Memphis website. The application will be open and available from Tuesday, March 31 through 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6. The link to apply is HERE.
Eligible applicants include hourly employees who work in the Memphis area hospitality industry, including employees of:
- Hotels
- Restaurants and bars
- Tourist attractions
- Convention services
- Tour operations
Because this is a limited fund, recipients will be chosen based on a lottery-style system, after the deadline closes. No priority will be given to early applicants. Everyone who applies during the Tuesday - Monday time window will have the same opportunity to be chosen through the lottery-style system. Grant money will be distributed through Venmo or PayPal. You can set up an account for Venmo here and PayPal here.
The week of April 6, Welcome to Memphis will begin awarding individual, one-time grants of $300 each. Recipients will be notified via the email address you include with your application.
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Coronavirus in Context:
The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80-percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.