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
Senate Democratic Policy Committee: Hearing on the Healthcare Workforce Crisis
$628,880 in State Grants Awarded to Allegheny County for Traffic Upgrades
Allegheny County – July 7, 2021 – Today, Pennsylvania State Senators from Allegheny County including Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Sen. Wayne Fontana and Sen. Lindsey Williams announced $628,880 in state grants have been awarded to the area for traffic signal...
Barriers in Pennsylvania for the Transgender Community
Fontana Lauds Boost for Film Industry Jobs in 2021-22 Budget
HARRISBURG – June 28, 2021 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana today praised the inclusion in Pennsylvania’s final budget changes to the Film Production Tax Credit that will recognize the popularity of short-series streaming shows and help producers apply the tax credits to...
Senate Democrats Offer Restaurant & Tavern Recovery Legislation
Harrisburg, Pa. – June 21, 2021 − After Republicans failed to pass a clean, bipartisan bill to extend mixed drinks to go for restaurants and taverns, the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats are introducing legislation that will provide the opportunity for bars, taverns and...
Education Advocates Push Fontana ‘Nellie Bly’ Tuition Aid Program
HARRISBURG, June 15, 2021 – A diverse group of education advocates joined state Sen. Wayne Fontana today to urge passage of Fontana’s legislation to create the “Nellie Bly Scholarship Program” aimed at easing financial burdens to keep Pennsylvania students in...
Sen. Fontana Remarks – Nellie Bly Scholarships for PASSHE
Fontana Announces $3M for Home Ownership Efforts in Region
HARRISBURG, June 11, 2021 – Local organizations that help low-income homebuyers achieve their dream and help others stabilize their lives, will receive $3 million in state funding to advance their efforts, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana announced today. “Home ownership...
Fontana Announces $3M in Drug Treatment and Prevention Grants
HARRISBURG, June 10, 2021 – Drug treatment and prevention efforts in Allegheny County received a nearly $3 million boost today through state grants announced by Senator Wayne D. Fontana. “The battle with addiction was intensified by the isolation and anxiety of the...
Hearing on Improving Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Facilities
PA Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing on Improving Care in Nursing Homes
Harrisburg – June 2, 2021 – At the request of Senators Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny), Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland), and Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny), the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee...
Fontana: Local Fight Against Blight Gets $600K State Boost
HARRISBURG, May 25, 2021 – Local municipalities with projects to fight blight and stabilize communities will receive more than $600,000 in grants to fund their efforts, state Sen.Wayne Fontana announced today. “Many of our older communities are plagued with abandoned...
News and Views :: May 25, 2021
On May 14, Senator Fontana participated in a groundbreaking ceremony in Crafton for the borough’s sewer separation project. Senator Fontana was able to help secure a $250,000 state grant to assist the project. The project will help reduce flooding risks and keep...
News and Views :: May 18, 2021
Last week Senator Fontana participated in a groundbreaking ceremony in Crafton for the borough’s sewer separation project. Senator Fontana was able to help secure a $250,000 state grant to assist the project. The project will help reduce flooding risks and keep...
News & Views: May 14, 2021
Hearing on the Prevention of Legionnaires’ Disease in Pennsylvania Last week, at my request, the Pennsylvania Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing on Legionella bacteria and the effects it can have on the commonwealth post pandemic. Specifically, the...
Pa Senate Democrats Introduce $6 Billion “New Deal for PA” plan
HARRISBURG – May 12, 2021 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democrats today proposed an aggressive $6 billion plan that provides the opportunity and tools that the citizens of PA can use to recover from the pandemic, according to Sen. Wayne Fontana “Our plan includes creating...
Department Of Health: Over 9.3 Million Vaccinations To Date, 52.7% Of Entire Population Received First Dose, 45.6% Of Pennsylvanians Age 18 And Older Fully Vaccinated, PA Ranks 10th Among 50 States For First Dose Vaccinations
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 11, there were 2,385 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,177,072. There are 1,798 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that...
Wolf Administration to Increase Indoor and Outdoor Events and Gatherings Maximum Capacity on May 17
The Wolf Administration today announced that event and gathering maximum occupancy limits will be increased to 50 percent for indoor events and gatherings and 75 percent for outdoor events and gatherings effective Monday, May 17 at 12:01 AM. “As more Pennsylvania...
Department Of Health Notes One More Step Required Before Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Approved For Use In 12-15 Year Olds
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Health today applauded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for taking the next step to make Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine available to 12- to 15-year-olds, but noted one more important step is needed before vaccinations can...
Department Of Health: Over 9.2 Million Vaccinations To Date, 52.6% Of Entire Population Received First Dose, 45.3% Of Pennsylvanians Age 18 And Older Fully Vaccinated, PA Ranks 10th Among 50 States For First Dose Vaccinations
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 10, there were 1,023 additional positive cases of COVID-19, in addition to 1,376 new cases reported Sunday, May 9, for a two-day total of 2,399 additional positive cases...
Department Of Health: Over 9.1 Million Vaccinations To Date, 51.9% Of Entire Population Received First Dose, 44.1% Of Pennsylvanians Age 18 And Older Fully Vaccinated, PA Ranks 10th Among 50 States For First Dose Vaccinations
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of 12:00 a.m., May 8, there were 2,610 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 1,172,288. There are 2,012 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that...
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 [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
- 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.