As the vaccine rollout continues into its sixth week and clinics around the valley begin to allow registration, many questions still remain for Idahoans. Idaho’s health department is hoping their COVID hotline will help reach more populations in different languages.
Spanish speakers can call into Health and Welfare’s COVID-19 Help Now Line with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, the new strain of the virus and where to find resources.
“Es una línea que ofrece el Departamento de Salud y Bienestar,” said Lilian Toumey, a Crisis Community Resource Specialist for Health and Welfare. “Igual en la División de Salud Mental y Salud del comportamiento para ayudar a la gente en este momento de crisis.”
She says during this pandemic people may be needing a variety of health and mental health resources.
“Otra cosa que diría yo sobre esta línea de ayuda inmediata es que hay respondientes bilingües,” she said.
In addition to Spanish, Toumey says interpreter services are also available in other languages, and callers can remain anonymous.
The line is available to anybody regardless of residency or migratory status. That also applies to some of the services Health and Welfare provides.
People can call (986) 867-1073 to access the help line. It’s staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Copyright 2021 Boise State Public Radio
