SARASOTA – When it comes to helping the less fortunate living on the streets it can be difficult to adhering CDC guidelines amid the pandemic. Here’s how to still lend a helping hand but safely.
Laura Licoski has been helping the homeless population in Manatee County through a global movement spreading awareness called, Facing Homelessness Bradenton. But due to the coronavirus she’s had to change her approach to lending those less fortunate a helping hand without having to leave her home.
“I rely on messenger a lot and email,” said Licoski. “I can still feel needs through that with people checking on their birth certificates and status on their paperwork, we can still work together on that end of it.”
Licoski has always had a hands on approach to tackling the homeless issue in Manatee County to try help those living on the streets get back on their feet. She says while other non-profits continue to feed and help the homeless, at times CDC guidelines aren’t being followed putting several people at risk of contacting the coronavirus.
“You can’t ignore the fact that everyone should have a mask if they’re going to be in a group setting like that and everyone should socially distance,” said Licoski.
She says her approach to food share and passing out supplies would be to walk the streets and handout hygiene supplies to individuals and to not do it in a group setting.
But that’s not all, she says the Manatee County government is not doing enough to assist the homeless during the pandemic
“I think that we can also eliminate a lot of these issues that we’re going to have if we would really jump on this and take it as a priority,” said Licoski . “We’re talking about getting portalets, we’re talking about getting hand-washing stations but we’re not doing anything about it.”
Licoski says the homeless population isn’t being taken into consideration when it comes to flattening the curve here on the Suncoast. She says she would like to see tent cities in Bradenton or the county similar to the one in Tampa where those without a home can self-quarantine to not spread the virus throughout the area.
“Everyone should have access to at least clean water, and a shower, and a bathroom every day. I think that’s not a really big ask,” said Licoski .
Licoski says she has portalets installed near some county libraries in Bradenton but that’s not enough to help those living on the street stay safe & healthy during the pandemic.
