Cellphone access critical amid crisis

With closure of walk-in and in-person services in the city, with increased unemployment and dependency on online services for information, education, filing your EI reporting and also connecting with formal sources of support, possessing a cellphone has become very significant in everyone’s lives.

But women, seniors, newcomers, marginalized youth, those living in poverty, experiencing addictions and homelessness each have barriers to access the help lines that the government has funded during this COVID-19 crisis as they often do not have access to a phone.

Using public pay telephones can contribute to the spread as the virus can stay on surfaces.

Women often cannot make calls to 911 or shelters from their abuser’s phone or in the presence of the abuser. With closure of libraries and EI offices, the unemployed poor have to rely on a phone to make their reporting.

Those with mental health issues and trauma cannot use the crisis lines if they do not have access to a personal phone. Seniors who rely on senior groups or face-to-face meetings for support now need a phone to prevent isolation and have to be taught to use the features to connect with others, as well.

Being connected is very important for the mental health during the physical distancing, however, the longer this continues with the barriers faced by the most vulnerable, there will be both short-term and longterm mental health problems in our communities.

Having a cellphone and being digitally literate has become a basic necessity on par with food and shelter as information and social connections is equally important for survival, safety and overall wellness.

Are governments ready to offer free cellphones to the most vulnerable in our society or will it be the initiative of phone manufacturers who make a commitment to provide phones or offer discounted service rates for those in vulnerable situations even after the pandemic is over?

Nandini Tirumala, Windsor