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 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...
Gas Drillers Need to Work With our Communities, Not Against Them
Op-Ed by Senator Wayne Fontana I was disappointed to hear that the Marcellus Shale Coalition is already scurrying into court in an attempt to overturn parts of Pennsylvania’s new gas drilling regulations. The industry needs to understand that our people are entitled...
Fontana Lauds Progress of Lower Hill District Infrastructure Work
Pittsburgh, October 7, 2016 -- State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today served as master of ribbon cutting ceremonies as officials and community leaders marked the opening of the new connector streets in the city’s lower Hill District. “Reconstructing these...
Fontana Announces $5 Million in State Grant Funds for Two Local Projects
Brookline – Sept. 30, 2016 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced state grant funding for two projects in Pittsburgh. “I am pleased that state dollars will supplement these local economic development and community resource efforts,” Fontana said. “I will...
Fontana Details Steady Progress of Beechview Rail Project
Beechview, September 9, 2016 –State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today said he is pleased with the progress of the Red Line rail project in Beechview and confident it will reopen for riders on Sept. 25 as scheduled. “I have worked and remained in touch with county and local...
Joint Legislative Hearing in Pittsburgh Focuses on Eradicating Blight
Wilkinsburg, August 4, 2016 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, a joint state Senate-House Democratic Policy Committee hearing was held today on efforts and resources to fight blight within our communities, including the successes and...
Fontana Measure to Mandate Online Posting of School Policies Becomes Law
Harrisburg, July 15, 2016 - Public school districts will soon be required to post additional policies and information on their websites under legislation sponsored by Sen. Wayne D. Fontana's (D-Allegheny) that was amended into the state's school code (House Bill...
Fontana Business Development Legislation Enacted
Harrisburg, July 14, 2016 –Sen. Wayne D. Fontana’s (D-Allegheny) legislation that funds the state’s “Business in our Sites” program has passed the legislature and was signed into law (Act 85 of 2106) by the governor. The Business in our Sites program invests state...
Fontana Wins Expansion of State’s Film Tax Credit Program
Harrisburg, July 13, 2016 – The state Senate today approved legislation backed by Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) that will bolster Pennsylvania’s film and television industry by expanding the state’s film tax credit program. “The state’s film tax credit program...
Fontana Helps Secure State Money for Beechview Revitalization
HARRISBURG, July 1, 2016 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today announced $600,000 in state grant funding to redesign and revitalize part of Broadway Avenue in Beechview. “This project will make that business corridor safer, more attractive and more...
Senate Approves Fontana Bill to Help Communities Rectify Sewer Lateral Problems
HARRISBURG, June 30, 2016 – The state Senate today unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) that would give municipal governments the option of establishing policies and helping residents repair damaged sewer laterals. “This...
Sen. Fontana Lauds Education Funding Boost in Budget Bill
HARRISBURG, June 30, 2016 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana provided the following comment yesterday afternoon after the state Senate voted 47-3 in favor of a bipartisan 2016-17 fiscal budget (Senate Bill 1073). The bill now returns to the House for consideration. “Like...
Senate Unanimously Approves Reforming Pittsburgh Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority
Harrisburg – June 28, 2016 – Legislation establishing accountability and transparency at the Pittsburgh Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) received unanimous support in the Senate today, said Senators Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and...
Committee Approves Fontana Amendment to Ban Workplace Sexual Orientation Discrimination
HARRISBURG, June 22, 2016 – A state Senate committee today approved Sen. Wayne D. Fontana’s (D-Allegheny) amendment that would outlaw discrimination in the workplace based on one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. “My proposal puts the force of law behind basic...
Senate Committee Backs Fontana Bill to Provide Lead Detection Test Option for Home Buyers
HARRISBURG, June 22, 2016 – The state Senate Committee on Urban Affairs and Housing today unanimously approved Sen. Wayne D. Fontana’s bill that would give home buyers the option of requesting that a prospective home be tested to determine what level of lead is in the...
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.