COVID-19 UPDATE: Resources, information, and helpful tips to protect you and your family!

Vaccine Information
Latest News
What You Need to Know
Unemployment Compensation
Protect Yourself
Education
PennDOT/Real ID Updates
How to Stay Informed
Latest News
What You Need to Know
Unemployment Compensation
Protect Yourself
PennDOT/Real ID Updates
Education
How to Stay Informed

Senator Fontana Hosts a Telephone Town Hall on the Coronavirus

May 15, 2020

Senator Fontana Hosts a Telephone Town Hall on the Coronavirus

March 25, 2020

LIVE daily briefings from the PA Department of Health:
pacast.com/live/doh or www.governor.pa.gov/live/ or watch on Facebook

Download COVID Alert PA App
COVID-19 Public Health Complaint Form
Get Tested for COVID-19
Learn More about the COVID Vaccine
COVID-10 Data for PA
Information on Travel
Early Warning Dashboard
Translated COVID-19 Resources
Information on Contact Tracing
COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard

Vaccine Information

 

Allegheny County Vaccine Information
Pennsylvania Vaccination Information

I co-hosted a virtual townhall on January 11, 2021 with Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine and officials from PEMA and the PA Department of Health who are responsible for overseeing the rollout of the COVID vaccine. 


Latest News

 

PHEAA Virtual Financial Aid Webinar

November 9, 2020

On Monday, Nov. 16 I hosted a Virtual Financial Aid Webinar. I was joined by Amy Sawdey, the Higher Education Access Partner in Allegheny County for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), who gave a presentation, providing an early understanding of the financial decisions students need to make concerning higher education. We discussed higher education costs, the types of financial aid available, and how to apply for financial aid. If you missed the webinar you can watch it in its entirety by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIPQpNNrrJ4&feature=youtu.be.

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What You Need to Know About COVID-19

The Coronavirus was first discovered during an outbreak in Wuhan, China. The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person-to-person. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms often do not appear in a person until 2 to 14 days after exposure.

Prepare Yourself and Your Family

The best way to avoid contracting COVID-19 is by practicing vital social distancing procedures. It is recommended to work remotely and severely limit contact with others.

If you think you have come into contact with someone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or are exhibiting them yourself, please follow the instructions on the graphic below:

PennDOT/Real ID Updates

Federal REAL ID Enforcement Deadline Postponed to October 2021

The Department of Homeland Security has postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19 and the national emergency declaration.

PennDOT closed all driver and photo license centers on March 16 and paused REAL ID issuance in the state out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public health. Centers will reopen no sooner than April 3. PennDOT also sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, requesting that the agency consider extending the October 1, 2020 REAL ID enforcement deadline.

REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver’s licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes. A federally-acceptable form of identification (whether it’s a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, a military ID, etc.) must now be used on and after October 1, 2021, as identification to board a commercial flight or visit a secure federal building that requires a federally acceptable form of identification ID for access.

REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania. There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID; PennDOT will continue to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs once issuance has resumed.

More information about document requirements, including a printable document checklist, can be found on the Document Check page of the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website.

Protect Yourself

Medical Costs

As of March 9, the Governor announced that all major health insurers in Pennsylvania have agreed to cover “medically appropriate” COVID-19 testing and treatment.

The 10 major insurers are:

For anyone with questions about their insurance policy, please contact your insurer or the Pennsylvania State Insurance Department with questions. They can also be reached at (877) 881-6388.

Remote Medical Attention and Care

Health officials are urging people who have symptoms to stay home and contact their doctor remotely rather than opting for an in-person visit. Nearly all major health systems offer some form of virtual visits and assistance. Some insurers do, too. People interested in a specific virtual visit should check to see what illnesses it can be used for. Be sure to reach out to your insurance provider to verify this service is covered with your plan.

Here’s an brief overview of virtual visit services offered to local residents:

Capital BlueCross – is offering free medical Virtual Care visits for members who currently have the Virtual Care benefit.  The waiving of fees will be effective March 13 through April 15, 2020.

Highmark – is providing many of their members with a virtual clinic visit service. Any fees related to COVID-19 will be waived.

UPMC Pinnacle – is welcoming Online Video Visits for those experience flu like symptoms or just in need of a follow-up appointment.  Video visits are available through the MyPinnacleHealth portal for $49.

WellSpan Health – WellSpan Online Urgent Care offers a video visits with Teladoc physicians for patients 3 months and older for their standard fee of $49.

CALLING ALL PSYCHOLOGIST! Things may be picking up for you at this time, so we want to make sure you are covered too. Here are some COVID-19 resources on how to best protect yourself and serve your patients from the Pennsylvania Psychologist Association.

How to Stay Informed

Below is an extensive list of information, statistics, and resources to ensure you stay up-to-date with any changes happening due to COVID-19.

My Office

While our offices are closed, we are working remotely. Please call 412-344-2551 and leave a message or email [email protected] and someone will get back in touch with you as soon as possible. 

ENewsletters

  • Make sure you are signed up to receive my electronic newsletter (you can sign up HERE)
  • To view all past issues of “News & Views” eNews, CLICK HERE

Pennsylvania Department of Health

A complete list of information and resources available to you by county:

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

World Health Organization

  • Learn what’s happening Worldwide with the WHO’s Daily report. The most recent report is located at the top of the page. It includes confirmed case and death tallies.
  • Additional COVID-19 information is provided on their website.
  • Stay informed on Twitter.
  • Follow their Facebook page.