Zoroastrian Association
of Metropolitan Chicago

Call for Volunteers

Dear fellow community members and friends,

We hope and trust you are coping well given the significant disruption to life and impact on health created by the ongoing public health crisis known commonly as COVID-19 or the Coronavirus. 

The purpose of this post is two-fold:

1. To advise that all ZAC events planned for April and beyond have been postponed until further notice. In keeping with our stance on protecting the health and well-being of our community, ZAC has to err on the side of caution and to ensure proper precautions are taken. We will be communicating with you frequently and will update you with new developments and announcements as events warrant.

2. Call for Volunteers | ZAC COVID-19 Task Force: we are pleased to announce that we have formed a special COVID-19 Task Force aimed at helping the most vulnerable members of our community with the help they need, and ultimately reducing the risk of exposure within our small but resilient community. 

If you have the ability and interest to volunteer, even in a small way, please send an email to zamc@zamc.org with your name, the town/county you live in and your mobile phone number. We will register you as a volunteer and will reach out to you with next steps. 

Following are ways in which Task Force volunteers can provide critical assistance:

• Making trips to/from grocery stores or pharmacies to safely pick up and drop off food, household necessities or medication for those, mainly our elderly, who are compelled to stay home and avoid the risk of being exposed to the virus.
• Well-checks: from moms and dads working from home with young children to our single populations and elderly living alone who can not even visit their grandchildren, we would like our Task Force volunteers to pick up the phone and see how they are doing. Sometimes just a 15-minute conversation can bring joy to someone’s life! Now is the time to show you care, to be a Zarathushti, and call on your fellow community members who you think may be in need. 
• Donations: Visit our web site and donate to the Welfare fund – please list COVID-19 in the memo section and we’ll make sure those dollars are used toward helping and supporting those in need. Donating starts with a visit to: www.zamc.org/donate

Thanks for your time and attention to this matter. Together, we will make a difference in the lives of those in need, and reduce the many risks associated with this virus.

Read more for more information about the virus, risks, symptoms and what you can do to keep yourself safe.

Dear fellow community members and friends,

We are sorry to report that all March events scheduled at ZAC have been cancelled due to the ongoing health threat posed by the COVID-19 virus, more commonly known as the Coronavirus. 

As there is no known cure for this virus, and as the medical community, local, state, and federal government officials manage this crisis, it is incumbent on those of us in local leadership positions to act swiftly and proactively to reduce the spread of this unknown and dangerous disease. 

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that has now spread to every continent. It is particularly dangerous for the elderly and those afflicted with pre-existing medical conditions and weaker immune systems. It is spread from person to person (close contact with one another within six feet and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes), as well as through community spread, meaning some people have been infected who are not sure how or where they became infected. 

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

There is currently no vaccine to prevent Coronavirus disease. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

• Avoid close contact with people
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 
• Monitor local news and visit www.cdc.gov for tips on effective handwashing and other preventive measures

IF YOU FEEL SICK:

If you start feeling sick with fever, cough and shortness of breath, please do the following:

• Immediately contact your doctor’s office by phone – do not go in to your healthcare provider without calling in first
• Stay home and do not go to work
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Clean your hands often

A NOTE ABOUT HOARDING SUPPLIES:

Please do not hoard items essential for medical professionals, like hand sanitizer and face masks. Face masks in particular are only effective in preventing the infection from passing from you to others. Hoarding such supplies can in fact increase the chances of someone else passing the virus on to you because they were unable to procure face masks for themselves.Moreover, medical professionals need these critical supplies. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMON SENSE SOCIAL DISTANCING:

In daily life we urge you to exercise caution and common sense social distancing: avoid unnecessary travel, both personal and business, and avoid places where large groups of people might congregate, such as malls and sporting events.

As board members, it is our highest duty to ensure the health and safety of our membership. ZAC remains a safe and clean venue and we expect to keep it that way. Making small adjustments to our daily lives helps keep us all safe, and postponing all March ZAC events is an important measure toward that end. 

We will continue to keep you advised and invite you to send any questions or concerns to us at zamc@zamc.org. 

For the latest on the Coronavirus we encourage you to monitor local news and visit www.cdc.gov

Hamāzor Hamā Ashō-bēd!
May we be united in strength and righteousness!
~ ZAC Board of Directors