Homelessness: Give extra protections during epidemic

During the coronavirus crisis, many establishments that homeless individuals frequent for sanitation reasons have been closed (fast food restaurants, libraries, etc.). Thus their meager existence has been made even more difficult and unhealthy.

We have to remember that because of their living conditions, a homeless tent village may be a breeding ground for the virus and other health conditions.

On behalf of the Veterans for Peace homeless working group, I would like to suggest that temporary portable toilets be placed near all homeless settlements. Some are equipped with dispensers of hand sanitizer, which would also be a help.

The federal relief bill apparently will rely on income tax returns, bank accounts and other documentation that this population may have difficulty with in order to get their checks. Providing help with federal Census materials also would be valuable.

We realize this is more assistance than has been offered in the past. It should be a temporary solution, until the crisis is over and things return to normal.

This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 12:40 PM with the headline "Homelessness: Give extra protections during epidemic."