COVID-19 UPDATE: Resources, information, and helpful tips to protect you and your family!
Senator Fontana Hosts a Telephone Town Hall on the Coronavirus
Senator Fontana Hosts a Telephone Town Hall on the Coronavirus
LIVE daily briefings from the PA Department of Health:
pacast.com/live/doh or www.governor.pa.gov/live/ or watch on Facebook
Vaccine 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
PennDOT Reopens Select Rest Areas for Truck Parking
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will be reopening select rest areas across Pennsylvania for truck parking. PennDOT rest areas were closed at midnight Tuesday in response to Governor Tom Wolf’s mitigation guidance regarding...
Duquesne Light Assists Customers by Waiving Late Fees; Ensuring Reliability
PITTSBURGH – Duquesne Light Company (DLC) is focused on assisting its customers by providing them with safe, reliable power and easing the financial burden placed on them by the ongoing COVID-19 public health challenge. As part of this commitment, DLC is waiving all...
Governor Wolf Requests Disaster Declaration for Small Businesses and Non-Profits to Obtain Loans
Governor Tom Wolf today requested that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) implement an SBA disaster declaration to provide assistance in the form of SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses and eligible non-profits in all 67 counties in...
Licensed Health Care Practitioners Can Provide Telemedicine Services to Pennsylvanians During Coronavirus Emergency
Due to insurance uncertainties, if you use telemedicine services, you may incur a bill Harrisburg, PA — Health care professionals licensed under any of the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) licensing boards can provide...
Port Authority to implement temporary Social Distancing Policy on all vehicles
To help ensure customer and employee safety, Port Authority of Allegheny County is implementing a temporary Social Distancing Policy on all vehicles effective immediately. To most effectively communicate this policy, signage will be posted on all vehicles reminding...
Sen. Fontana Endorses American Working Family Relief Plan
Pittsburgh, March 18, 2020 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana today endorsed policies and legislation that would help protect workers during and after the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The “American Working Family Relief Action Plan” addresses practices for...
General Assembly Agrees to Transfer $61 Million From CFA To Small Business Loan Program
Harrisburg, PA − March 18, 2020 − Leaders from each of the four caucuses of the General Assembly and the Governor agreed to move $40 million under the Commonwealth Financing Authority to a small business loan program to aid businesses impacted by the COVID...
Allegheny County Announces Additional Operational Changes
PITTSBURGH – The COVID-19 pandemic and its corresponding response from the federal, state, and county government has resulted in a number of operational changes impacting Allegheny County government. The following operational changes are the most recent announced in...
Operational Changes for Allegheny County
The COVID-19 pandemic and its corresponding response from the federal, state and county government has resulted in a number of operational changes impacting Allegheny County government. A full list of those changes follow: County Jail Confined areas at the Allegheny...
Wolf Administration Directs Families to Emergency Food Assistance During COVID-19 Mitigation
Harrisburg, PA - Today, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding issued guidance for accessing emergency food assistance for Pennsylvanians at risk of hunger due to measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. “During this time of major precautions to reduce risks of...
Allegheny County Calls Upon Non-Essential Business to Close Voluntarily
PITTSBURGH – County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen today released a video statement to the community regarding concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic in this region. In it, they called upon non-essential businesses in Allegheny County...
DCNR Closing State Park and Forest Facilities Statewide, Open Spaces will Remain Accessible as Part of COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts
Harrisburg, PA -- Today, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that all facilities at state park and forests in Pennsylvania will be closed for 14 days effective Tuesday, March 17, to help slow the...
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Announces Closure of All Fine Wine & Good Spirits Stores, Licensee Service Centers and e-Commerce Sales as Part of COVID-19 Mitigation
Harrisburg – After consultation with the Wolf Administration and Pennsylvania Department of Health, today the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced the indefinite closure of all Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores and licensee service centers, effective at 9:00 PM...
State System announces additional safety measures in response to coronavirus pandemic
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education announced additional measures Monday to further its commitment to the safety of everyone involved in Pennsylvania's public higher education system. The measures include: Effective immediately,...
PennDOT Closes All Driver, Photo License Centers, Extends Expiration Dates and Suspends Construction in Response to COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is implementing the following operational changes in response to Governor Tom Wolf’s mitigation guidance regarding COVID-19. All Driver License Centers and Photo License Centers in Pennsylvania...
Wolf Administration Updates Businesses on Guidance for COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts
Earlier today, the Wolf Administration strongly urged non-essential businesses across the state to close for at least 14 days to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The governor’s request protects employees, customers, and suppliers and limits the spread of the...
COVID-19 Resources & Office Update
My website now includes a page with easy access to local, state, and federal resources that you may need in the coming weeks, including unemployment and workers’ compensation for employees impacted by COVID-19. Find that information...
Wolf Administration Orders Restaurants and Bars to Close Dine-In Service in Mitigation Counties Including Allegheny To Stop Spread of COVID-19
Under the guidance of the Department of Health (DOH), using his authority under the state’s COVID-19 disaster declaration order, Governor Tom Wolf today ordered all restaurants and bars to close their dine-in facilities at 12:01 AM on Monday, March 16 in Allegheny,...
Allegheny County Announces Additional Operational Changes
PITTSBURGH – Following this morning’s announcement of two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Allegheny County, County Manager William D. McKain CPA announced additional operations changes in the county. Emergency Services The Emergency Operations Center has been...
Fontana Announces Grants to Improve Safety and Security for Pittsburgh Nonprofits
HARRISBURG, March 11, 2020 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today announced a total of $149,080 for three non-profit organizations in Pittsburgh to strengthen safety and security measures. Organizations qualify for the grants based on a Federal Bureau of...
Governor’s Budget Plan Touts Numerous Fontana Initiatives
HARRISBURG, February 4, 2020 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement on Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed $36 billion budget for fiscal 2020-21: “This budget plan would hold the line on taxes while stoking investment in education, job...
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:
- Aetna
- Capital Blue Cross
- Cigna
- Geisinger
- Highmark
- Independence BlueCross
- Oscar
- Pennsylvania Health & Wellness
- UnitedHealthcare
- UPMC Health Plan
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 fontana@pasenate.com 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
- The PA DoH Daily COVID-19 report. Updated regularly throughout the day.
- Follow the PA Health Department on Twitter.
- Follow them on Facebook.
A complete list of information and resources available to you by county:
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Track confirmed cases in the US. (This site is updated weekdays at noon and shows numbers that were current as of 4 p.m. the previous day.)
- CDC provided information regarding “What you should know about COVID-19”
- Follow the CDC on Twitter.
- Follow the CDC on Facebook.
- Learn how best to prevent “community transition” with specific details on what to do before, during, and after outbreaks.
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.