Editing:2020.04.08 COVID-19 healthcare guide

To read this email in Punjabi, please click here.

April 8, 2020 (New York, NY) -- In response to the rapidly growing number of Americans requiring intensive COVID-19 medical treatment, the Sikh Coalition has put together guidance specifically for Sikh community members who require healthcare during this ongoing public health crisis.

The purpose of this guide is to make sure that healthcare professionals who may not be familiar with Sikh patients have all of the culturally relevant information that they need to care for you. This guide is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.

The guide includes:

An overview of the Sikh religious articles of faith and practices;
Language access needs;
Specific information on how the Sikh faith impacts medical treatment and dietary needs; and
Explanations on Sikh end-of-life practices and beliefs.

The Sikh Coalition encourages you to share this guide with friends and family so that they have it in the event of a COVID-19 medical emergency. This resource should be given to your primary healthcare provider upon arrival for medical treatment or, if possible, uploaded to your physician's patient portal system (e.g. MyChart) in advance.

For a wealth of additional COVID-19 English and Punjabi resources, please continue to visit our COVID-19 website. These resources currently include COVID-19 health guidelines, analyses of federal emergency relief legislation, information on how to apply for state benefits, critical updates for Sikh medical professionals, content around cyberbullying and e-learning, and much more. As we continue to shift our organizational priorities to meet the Sikh community's needs at this time of national crisis, please expect new and updated resources wherever applicable.

As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.

Critical COVID-19 Healthcare Information for Sikh Patients and Providers