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 Democrats, Pittsburgh Mayor Advance Efforts on Climate Change Despite Trump
Harrisburg – June 13, 2017 – Committed to positioning Pennsylvania as a leader in the battle against global climate change, Sens. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia/Delaware), along with Pittsburgh Mayor...
Fontana Resists President’s Decision on Paris Accord; Calls for Meeting with Trump
Harrisburg – June 8, 2017 – Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today called on President Trump to meet with leaders from the City of Pittsburgh to understand the impact of his decision to exit the Paris Accord, before using the city as an example for the world. “The...
Costa, Fontana React to Trump Paris Accord Decision; Redouble Efforts in Pa
Harrisburg – June 3, 2017 – Stunned at President Donald J. Trump’s dismissal of climate change and abandonment of the Paris climate accord, Senators Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today stated their intentions to position Pennsylvania to lead...
Fontana to Speak at Capitol Rally Urging Nurse Staffing Transparency
State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) will join nursing professionals at a Capitol rally tomorrow in favor of legislation (Senate Bill 336) that would require hospital administrators to publicly disclose information on nursing staffing levels. The rally is...
Fontana Bills Would Empower Municipalities to Help Citizens with Sewer and Waterline Work
Harrisburg – March 29, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today said he is introducing three bills aimed at allowing local governments to tap government funding sources to help citizens fund sewer and water line repairs -- especially when public health or safety are...
Fontana Announces Four State Grants for Area Water System Upgrades
Harrisburg – March 29, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced a total of $810,800 in state grants for four area infrastructure improvement projects. "These state funds help local communities expedite improvement projects on water and wastewater systems,"...
Fontana Re-elected Vice Chair of PHEAA Board
HARRISBURG, February 23, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today was unanimously re-elected to serve as the vice chairman of the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Created in 1963 by the state...
Sen. Fontana Pleased with Governor’s Budget Investment Priorities
Harrisburg, February 7, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2017-18 state budget proposal: “This is a lean budget for lean times. “In the face of a daunting deficit, the governor’s...
Fontana Statement on Closing of SCI-Pittsburgh
Brookline – January 26, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement in response to today’s state Department of Corrections decision to close SCI-Pittsburgh: “I’m very disappointed in the Department of Corrections decision -- as well...
Fontana Bill Would Require a Public Hearing Before a State Prison Closure
Harrisburg – January 25, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today introduced legislation that would require the Department of Corrections to hold a local public hearing before it could close a prison. “Closing prisons will drastically impact prison...
Fontana Speaks Out at Harrisburg Senate Hearing to Save SCI-Pittsburgh
Harrisburg – January 23, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today spoke out at a joint Capitol hearing to save SCI-Pittsburgh from closing. The hearing was jointly held this morning by the Senate’s respective judiciary and policy committees. Lawmakers heard testimony from Corrections Department administrators, county prosecutors and others.
Senate Democrats Question State Prison Closings
Harrisburg – January 18, 2016 – Opposed to the potential closure of correctional institutions across Pennsylvania, Sens. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), John Blake (D-Lackawanna) and John Yudichak (D-Luzerne) have spearheaded local meetings to examine the impact of...
Fontana Tours SCI-Pittsburgh and Meets with Prison Officials on Possible Closing
Brookline – January 17, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today toured SCI-Pittsburgh and met with prison workers and officials on the facility’s possible closing. The 24-acre SCI-Pittsburgh facility on the city’s North Side is one of five prisons...
Fontana Writes Letter Objecting to Possible SCI-Pittsburgh Closing
Brookline – January 9, 2017 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today sent a letter to state Secretary of Corrections John E. Wetzel and Gov. Tom Wolf objecting to the possible closure of the state prison in Pittsburgh. Citing a state budget shortfall, the...
Fontana Issues Statement on Potential Prison Closures
Harrisburg – January 6, 2017 − Following the governor’s announcement today that he is considering closing the state Correctional Institute in Pittsburgh by June, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) released the following statement. “Decisions of this...
Fontana Announces $3.7 Million in State Funding for Eight Local Transportation Projects
BROOKLINE, December 6, 2016 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today announced $3.724 million in state grant funds for eight Allegheny County transportation projects. “This funding will help local planners make our transportation system more modern, efficient...
Sen. Fontana Announces State Funds for Three Local Projects
HARRISBURG, November 23, 2016 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced a total of $4.5 million in state grant funds for three Allegheny County projects. “These funds will be used for land development, revitalization and as economic generators in our region,”...
Fontana Re-elected to Serve as Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman
Harrisburg, November 16, 2016 – State Senate Democrats today unanimously re-elected state Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) to serve as Democratic Caucus chairman for the coming two-year legislative session. The caucus chairman sets the daily caucus agenda and...
Senate Hearing in Pittsburgh Focuses on Fontana’s Early Voting Proposal
Pittsburgh – November 2, 2016 – At the request of state Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny), the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing in Pittsburgh today on Fontana’s legislation that would allow early voting. “My legislation (Senate Bill 255) would...
Fontana Announces State Funds for Lawrenceville Tech Center
HARRISBURG, October 28, 2016 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced a $1 million state grant for site development at the Regional Industrial Development Corporation’s 14-acre Lawrenceville Technology Center. “These Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program...
Fontana Announces State Funds for Three Local Projects
HARRISBURG, October 24, 2016 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced a total of $1.4 million in state grant and loan funds for three Allegheny County projects. “This state support will help supplement local efforts to improve, redevelop and move the ball forward...
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.