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Just stay home. That’s how to do your part to fight coronavirus.

But thousands in Toronto can’t follow that directive.

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The city’s homeless are just as fearful of COVID-19 as everyone else, and far less equipped to manage.

“I can’t sleep at night for worrying,” says Patricia Mueller, CEO of Homes First. Her organization provides supportive housing and shelter, and she knows first-hand how everyone is scrambling to deal with this crisis.

Homes First has made changes in their residences to follow physical distancing, staggering dining hours and changing sleeping arrangements — among a hundred other adjustments.

Everyone is anxious, clients and staff alike. Many clients were experiencing panic attacks, Mueller says, fearful there’ll be no haven for them if they get sick.

“I’m worried about the ones hiding under a bridge because they’re sick, or think they are,” she says.

Many of the homeless cope with addiction and mental health issues, so she’s worried about harm reduction, too, especially with the U.S. border closed. “Are we going to see a lot of bad drugs on the street?”