As courts close for the coronavirus, officials and advocates adjust to protect domestic violence victims

An app called Homeis was originally designed to be a social network for immigrant groups in the U.S., but during the coronavirus pandemic it has turned into a lifeline for many undocumented people whose fears of deportation are compounded by the virus. Community managers on the app (some paid, some volunteer) now field questions from hundreds of thousands of immigrants about getting tested, how much power ICE has in hospital settings, the risk of getting infected in detention, and other coronavirus questions. The app is now a source of advice, support, and community during the COVID-19 crisis.

A free mobile app, Safe House, gives victims of domestic abuse a simple and quick way to call for help and find needed resources in four states. Putting local crisis helplines, shelters, and other local resources in one place saves time when an abuse victim is racing to get to safety. The app, downloaded more than 3,000 times since its launch less than two years ago, currently covers resources in Maine, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. Its developer plans to expand to more states.

A mobile app called App-Elles was used 5,400 times during the early months of the pandemic by either the survivors of gender-based violence or witnesses and helpers trying to connect the survivors to assistance. Created by French singer Diariata N'Diaye, the app lets users designate three "protectors" chosen in advance to receive alerts. Once alerted, they can summon help via text message or other discreet means of contacting women who are trapped at home with their abusers. The app is among other examples of digital survivor-aid services developed for women during the pandemic.

As the Ramadan season begins, Muslim communities around the world are making adjustments to how they observe it in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Minneapolis, the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood is broadcasting the call to prayer by speaker and in the U.K., the National Huffadh Association has created an online toolkit on how to pray at home. With connection and community a key part of Ramadan, a Reddit thread has started, connecting people for a Secret Santa-style Eid gift exchange, and a Minneapolis programmer has started an online service matching people in time zones to break fast together.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the strain on governments to acquire more physical resources like personal protective equipment, state and local governments have also been faced with a growing need for tech resources to track data and develop platforms to share that data. Fortunately, scores of tech-savvy volunteers are lining up to help these governments, and a non-profit called U.S. Digital Response is pairing volunteers with governments.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues on, people are turning to social media to share their stories and find communities. With a flood of misinformation online and mixed messaging from government leaders, many are documenting their own experiences having the novel coronavirus to give contextual experiences and reduce others’ anxiety. Researchers have noticed this spike in digital diaries and are using it for research as well.

As more individuals are hospitalized and in critical condition from COVID19, religious leaders are finding unique ways to connect. While the norm may be to be at bedsides, in this unprecedented time where that isn’t possible, chaplains, rabbis, and priests are using FaceTime and texting to connect with members of their communities and offer prayer and blessings.

Social distancing rules are proving to be especially difficult to maintain for people whose family member is dying of the virus. Chaplains in Chicago are finding ways to help families to be with their loved ones in times of illness and so that no patient has to die alone. Chaplains will talk to the patient on the phone, broadcast family members' voices over the rooms' intercoms, and hand nurses prayer cards to give to the patient when they enter the room. The chaplains also work to alleviate the stress of the healthcare workers by praying over specific concerns and wishes that the nurses have.

Across the United States, local and state legislators are passing resolutions to make sure they can continue to serve their communities while keeping themselves safe from COVID-19. From convening in bigger spaces, like basketball arenas to allowing for voting from separate rooms or via video or teleconference, public servants are working to make sure they can continue to pass emergency legislation for their communities.

In Ohio, courts have had to make major adjustments to stay safe from the COVID19 pandemic. These adjustments include being open for only essential purposes, using technology to reduce interpersonal interactions, and lowering bonds and using summons rather than arrests. The state also reallocated $4 million from the Supreme Court’s budget to help strengthen local courts’ ability to video conference.