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
Fontana Lauds State Budget’s Investment in Education, Workforce and Economic Development
Harrisburg, June 22, 2018 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement on the passage of the 2018-19 state budget: “I am pleased with this bipartisan spending plan. It holds the line on taxes, keeps spending under the inflation...
Fontana Praises PHEAA Decision that Avoids Cuts to Student Grants
Harrisburg, May 24, 2018 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today said he is pleased with the PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency) board decision to use additional reserve funds to maintain grants to students at the current amounts. Without...
Senate Passes Fontana’s Bill Mandating Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Childcare Centers
Harrisburg, May 23, 2018 – The state Senate today unanimously approved Sen. Wayne Fontana’s legislation that would require that working carbon monoxide (CO) alarms be installed in childcare centers that use fireplaces or oil/gas-fired furnaces. “With alarms costing an...
Upcoming Shredding Events
I want to alert everyone about two upcoming shredding events. On Saturday, April 7, together with Representative Dan Deasy and Green Tree Borough, we are hosting a shredding event in the parking lot at Green Tree Park from 9 a.m. – noon. Then on Saturday,...
Upcoming Job Fair
On Thursday, March 15, with Rep. Dan Deasy and in partnership with Building Bridges for Business and U.S. Probation & Pre Trial Services, we will be hosting a Job Fair for any interested job seekers. The Job Fair is being held in the Social Hall at St....
Inaction is Not an Option
Americans are fed up with this nation’s gun violence epidemic. It is intolerable.
Horrific accounts of deranged mass murderers using military-grade assault weapons to indiscriminately spray bullets into crowds of innocent people has become part of the regular news cycle. Lives are lost, families are destroyed and communities paralyzed.
Sen. Fontana to Introduce Bills Aimed at Preventing Mass Shootings
PITTSBURGH, February 21, 2018 – Calling it the “Protection for Pennsylvanians” legislation, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today announced that he will introduce two bills aimed at preventing gun violence and mass shootings. “These commonsense proposals...
Fontana Lauds Pittsburgh’s Departure from Financial Distressed Status
PITTSBURGH, February 12, 2018 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today made the following comment about Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to remove Pittsburgh from state financial recovery oversight (Act 47): “I have supported Pittsburgh’s removal from Act 47 oversight for quite some...
Fontana Announces Nearly $5 Million in Grants for Local Transportation Projects
HARRISBURG, February 8, 2018 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today announced six state multimodal grants totaling nearly $5 million. “These state dollars will help communities advance and complete a number of important projects aimed at enhancing efficiency,...
Fontana Lauds Wolf’s Budget Priorities
HARRISBURG, February 6, 2018 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement on Gov. Tom Wolf’s $32.9 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2018-19: “I applaud the governor’s proposal and spending priorities. I’m pleased that the governor is...
Fontana Urges State to Step up Support for Sto-Rox School District
HARRISBURG, January 11, 2018 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today provided the following statement in response to an audit report indicating that Sto-Rox School District continues to struggle: “It’s important to emphasize that the state Auditor General’s...
Fontana Encouraged by UPMC-Highmark Agreement
Pittsburgh, January 4, 2018 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today made the following comment after UPMC and Highmark agreed to provide in-network access to community healthcare facilities that provide one-of-a-kind services. “I’m pleased by this positive...
Fontana Calls for Action on Water and Sewer Lateral Repairs Following Recent Investigative Report
Pittsburgh – December 29, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) said today that financing the repair of water and sewer laterals is in the public interest because it helps the consumer, public health and the environment, but more needs to done to help...
Fontana Announces $13.75 Million in State Funds for Local Projects
Pittsburgh, December 22, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced $13.75 million in state grants for key local development projects. “These funds will reinforce and expedite work on important projects aimed at creating jobs, bolstering investment and...
Fontana Backs Pittsburgh’s Departure from Distressed Status
Brookline, December 20, 2017 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana is supporting Mayor Bill Peduto’s call for Pittsburgh to free itself from state financial recovery oversight (Act 47). The city has been under Act 47 oversight since 2004. The law is aimed at helping distressed...
Fontana Reminds Seniors of Jan 2 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Filing Deadline
HARRISBURG, December 12, 2017 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana is urging eligible senior citizens to make sure they file their state property tax/rent rebate application by the Jan. 2 deadline. “If you are a senior citizen, related to a senior or friends with a senior, please...
Fontana Announces Over $5 Million in State Grants for Area Projects
HARRISBURG, November 14, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced over $5 million in state grants for 10 Allegheny County projects. “This state money will help fund and advance several worthy redevelopment and recreational projects,” Fontana said. “I will...
Water and Sewer Lateral Legislation Signed into Law
Earlier this summer, the Pennsylvania Senate unanimously passed my Senate Bill 656 (SB 656)that would allow local governments to tap government funding sources to help citizens fund sewer and waterline repairs — especially when public health or safety are at...
Ballot Question
I want to let voters know that a ballot question will appear before them when going to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Voters will be asked if they are in support of amending the state constitution to allow local taxing authorities, counties, municipalities, and...
Senate Includes Fontana’s Water Line Replacement Language in Revenue Package
Harrisburg – July 27, 2017 – The state Senate today approved a budget revenue package that includes state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana’s legislation that would allow local governments to tap various government funding sources to help citizens fund sewer and water line...
Senate Approves Fontana Bills to Aid Citizens with Sewer/Water Line Repairs
Harrisburg – June 21, 2017 – The Senate today unanimously approved two bills sponsored by state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) that would allow local governments to tap government funding sources to help citizens fund sewer and water line repairs — especially...
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.