COVID-19 Community

El Paso COVID-19 Internet Resources for Low-Income Families

The digital divide continues to trouble communities across the country, and El Paso is no exception. Whether it be income or other circumstances denying residents access to quality internet, local organizations are hard at work to make strides toward remedying the situation. Below, we’ll discuss ways you can acquire a free or reduced-cost digital device, locate free virtual child care and find reliable internet in the El Paso area:

Discounted Distance Learning Devices in El Paso

A creative way to help bridge the digital divide, particularly with internet-enabled devices, is through digital device redistribution. In this process, organizations accept computer, tablet and smartphone donations from local businesses and refurbish them for new use. Several El Paso-based organizations serve the local community by refurbishing and delivering free laptops and other devices to students and individuals who need them. However, a waitlist or small fee may be necessary. Here are three such organizations in El Paso worth consideration:

  • Success Through Technology Education Foundation (STTE) — STTE, through its Technology Initiative Empowering Students (TIES), accepts functional laptops from local businesses, refurbishes them when necessary and provides them to local K-12 students. Visit their website and click on “I Need a Device” to find out more.
  • Dell Reconnect and Goodwill El Paso — The Dell Reconnect Program has partnered up with Goodwill El Paso to recycle computers donated by individuals and businesses responsibly Goodwill will refurbish any computer that can be upcycled and sell them in their Goodwill stores to the local community.
  • Project Bravo — El Paso Community Action Program, Project Bravo, provides a holistic approach to community support through its housing program, weatherization assistance services and community services. Through their community service program, El Paso residents may receive free laptops as a part of their education roadmap provided by the organization. 

If you don’t have time for waitlists or other donation processes, you can check out the following El Paso businesses that sell refurbished computers for a great deal:

Remote Learning Programs and Virtual Child Care Centers in El Paso

When child care and in-person extracurriculars aren’t an option, there’s still a long list of internet resources you can use from El Paso to keep your kids engaged. Virtual learning and activities for kids may be different than in-person instruction, but they are no less enriching. Check out the following El Paso child care resources to find quality online activities for your children:

  • Boy Scouts of America Yucca Council — Open to both boys and girls, the Boy Scouts Yucca Council’s Scouting At Home program supports kids in online learning of essential outdoor and community-oriented skills. Without all the char and embers, your child can engage in a virtual campfire with other scouts.
  • El Paso Public Library — The El Paso Public Library has always been an excellent resource for free local children’s activities, including online engagement. You can check out books virtually and read them via several digital platforms. The El Paso Public Library Facebook page also hosts an online storytime for the little ones every week.
  • The University of Texas at El Paso Youth Programs — Through their Professional & Public Programs Extended University Department, The University of Texas offers a wide array of academic and enrichment classes for children of all ages for a small fee. Subjects include mathematics, reading and writing, test preparation, photography, art and more.
  • The El Paso Directory — The El Paso directory is an excellent online resource for children’s remote learning and engagement activities. It contains links to over 20 sites kids can tune into to find fun things to do, all from the comfort of their home.
  • PBS El Paso — On the PBS El Paso website, you can find links to enriching PBS resources centered around kids. These include PBSKids.org for educational games and videos, PBS Learning Media for standards-aligned learning and much more.

Free Wireless Internet Access in El Paso

Only about 50 percent of El Paso residents have access to quality high-speed internet. Many people lacking internet access come from low-income households. So, the need for other internet connection options in El Paso is critical. If you find yourself short on reliable internet, feel free to use one of the following Wi-Fi maps and directories to find a hotspot in your neighborhood:

El Paso is one city that’s ahead of the game when it comes to free public Wi-Fi. You can connect to the internet at 27 different locations throughout the town; just look for network names “Digital El Paso” or “epconnect” to get started. Here are several EPCONNECT Wi-Fi locations you can use for free:

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Here's what we know about the mask mandate in El Paso County:

How long is the mask mandate issued by Dr. Hector Ocaranza?

The mandate would be in effect for 30 days and then reevaluated before deciding whether to reissue another mandate.

More:Struggling to pay rent? Tenants urged to tap into COVID-19-tied federal aid

Who wears a face covering during the mandate?

All individuals over 2 years old must wear a face covering their nose and mouth while in indoor spaces. Parents and guardians of children over the age of two and under 10 are responsible for appropriately masking children when outside their residence.

What if I can’t wear a mask due to a health condition?

Face coverings will not be required on anyone who has trouble breathing, has a medical condition or disability that prevents wearing a face covering, or is actively exercising indoors and not within 6 feet of any other individual not from the same household.

Do I have to wear a mask at a restaurant or bar?

A face covering will be required when entering the facility; however, they will not be required while consuming food or drink.

Elective surgeries in El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson counties on hold due to COVID-19

Elective surgeries in El Paso, Hudspeth and Culberson counties are on hold as officials respond to the surge in COVID-19 cases.

A letter from Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Department of State Health Services, informed county judges that the mandate went into effect Sunday.

Hellerstedt’s letter said the Trauma Service Area comprised of the three counties had exceeded the 15% threshold of hospitalized patients being treated for COVID-19 for the previous seven days, sparking the suspension. The mandate will remain in effect until that number drops to 15% or less for seven consecutive days. The threshold is in Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-32, issued Oct. 7.

Also as of Sunday, all restaurants, retail stores, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, gyms and exercise facilities, classes, museums and libraries in the counties are required to return to maximum 50% occupancy levels.

Exceptions are made for any county that separately qualifies for the greater occupancy levels because it has minimal cases of COVID-19 under the Department of State Health Services attestation process, the order states. As of Monday, none of the counties in El Paso’s Trauma Service area had begun the attestation process.

The El Paso Times has reached out to El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego for comment.

Hospital capacities for the three-county region reached just more than 20% Sunday, state data show.  

More:El Paso restaurant, bar owners unhappy with city’s hour restrictions in COVID-19 battle

Mayor Dee Margo announced Thursday that El Paso nonessential businesses would drop from 75% to 50% capacity starting Friday because of the surge in COVID-19 cases. Additionally, restaurants are limited to takeout and drive-thru services after 9 p.m. and bars will remain closed.

No visitors will be allowed at elder care facilities in the county. Indoor sports were suspended and outdoor sports cannot have spectators, although that does not apply to professional and collegiate sports, Margo said. 

Park gatherings are limited to 10 people or less and home gatherings are no longer permitted.

El Paso County reported 555 new COVID-19 cases Monday. The county has seen massive spikes in cases lately, including a record 838 new cases Friday and 717 new cases Thursday. So far, 557 people have died from COVID-19 in El Paso County. There are currently 496 COVID-19 patients in county hospitals, with 134 patients in intensive care and 64 on ventilators. Health data show 33% of patients hospitalized in El Paso County are being treated for COVID-19.

Sun Metro Increases Safey Measures COVID-19 Service Changes

Sun Metro will begin strongly encouraging all passengers with mobility devices to schedule rides through LIFT services as an added transportation option and safety measure.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, Sun Metro will continue to adapt and implement stricter security measures for the safety of passengers and operators.

This change is intended to further limit the interaction for all involved in adherence with social distancing requirements as set forth by the CDC. Fixed-route passengers with mobility devices are encouraged to schedule rides by contacting LIFT services. Registration is not required. As a reminder, rides on both fixed route and LIFT services are free and should be used only for essential travel, such as to purchase groceries or medications, attend medical appointments, or to get to work if they are deemed an essential employee.

LIFT Call-In Services – Passengers MUST contact Sun Metro LIFT Services at least (1) one day before their desired scheduled pick up time through the following options:

Customer Service Phone Number: 915-212-0100
Service HRs: Monday through Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm  |  Sunday: 8 am to 3 pm

LIFT Website: sunmetro.net/lift/scheduling-a-pick-up

Passengers displaying COVID-19 symptoms or who are COVID-19 positive should not ride Sun Metro fixed route. Passengers with disabilities who have COVID-19 symptoms, may call the LIFT for special accommodations. For more information about Sun Metro, visit sunmetro.net or call (915) 212-3333.

Here are tips experts recommend shoppers take to stay safe:

  • Wear a cloth face mask and wash it when you get home.
  • Bring hand sanitizer. Use disinfectant wipes on the cart or basket. 
  • Bring as little as possible into the store to avoid contamination. 
  • Stay at least 6 feet from others, especially in the checkout line.
  • Shop alone and leave children at home, if possible. 
  • Limit the time in the store: Make a list to save time and use paper so you can throw it away.
  • Throw away plastic and paper bags. If you must use cloth bags, wash them after each use.
  • Wash your hands before and after you unpack groceries, and before you wash produce or prepare food. 
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HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD!

For all of us, we must do our part to help prevent the spread of ALL respiratory viruses by following these simple but important measures recommended by our health officials:

·       NO HANDSHAKING – All handshaking between employees and between employees and customers, suppliers and contractors should be reconsidered

·       Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

·       Avoid touching as much as possible with the inside of your hand – be especially cautious with gas pump handles, door handles and knobs.

·       Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

·       Stay home when you are sick or have these symptoms – headache, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat

·       Avoid sharing drinks

·       Cough or sneeze into a tissue to cover it, then throw the tissue in the trash – as a last resort use your elbow

·       Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces

If you want more information, please go to these trusted sources:

El Paso Department of Health’s website at www.EPHealth.com, www.EPSalud.com, or the CDC’s website: https://bit.ly/37l9Xi6.
For additional information, please contact 2-1-1 to speak with an information specialist in English or Spanish.