The Barcelona City Council has published in recent weeks various materials, resources and guides aimed at guiding and advising the population on physical and emotional health habits in relation to the Covid-19 socio-health crisis. In this article we compile some of these documents aimed at both domestic workers and contracting families.
The guide “Recommendations and audiovisual and telephone assistance resources for people caring for sick or dependent people” offers several tips to protect people in a particularly vulnerable situation from Covid-19. Washing your hands frequently, covering your mouth and nose in case of sneezing, keeping a safe distance or avoiding touching your face are some of the especially important recommendations for those who take care of people at risk, such as the elderly or people with chronic diseases (cardiovascular, lung disorders, cancer, immunodeficiencies, high blood pressure and diabetes). The document collects, in this sense, the protocols to follow and indicates which are the official sources that should be consulted.
Caregivers can contact the Barcelona Cuida space in case they need support or to answer questions by calling 93.413.21.21 (Monday to Friday from 8 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 7 pm) or by email to barcelona.cuida@bcn.cat.
Also on the free telephone number 900 505 805, from Monday to Sunday from 6 to 24 hours, psychologists give emotional support and psychological attention to domestic and care workers who feel anguish, nerves, sleep difficulties, etc. The password is “DOMICILIO2020”.
The “Practical Guide for Contracting Families in the Household Work Scheme” is especially aimed at families who have a contracted domestic or care worker. The guide answers questions related to the obligation to provide protection material, the continuity of the tasks of the worker or the exercise of their labor rights, among others.
If you have questions and need information and guidance on hiring people to carry out household and care tasks, you can call 93.443.30.40 from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or write to anemperfeina@pangea.org.
The guide “Services and resources to take care of mental and emotional health”, prepared by the Health Department of the City Council, includes various projects and organizations that carry out emotional support and accompaniment services as well as information, recommendations and resources for emotional well-being during the lockdown. The document includes resources aimed at different population profiles: children, adolescents and young people; adults; old people; adults with mental health problems; health professionals or women in situations of male violence, among others.