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
Sen. Fontana Prods Governor to bring Voter ID Services into Communities
HARRISBURG, August 17, 2012 – Following is the text of the letter State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) sent today to Gov. Tom Corbett urging him to make the voter ID process more simple and convenient for citizens seeking the necessary photo identification to...
Fontana Calls on Corbett Administration to bring Voter ID Services into Communities
HARRISBURG, August 15, 2012 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today called on the Corbett Administration to establish convenient neighborhood centers to help people obtain the necessary photo identification to vote. Read Senator Fontana's August 17, 2012...
State Senate Hearing Focuses on Funding Public Schools
Monroeville, June 14, 2012 — Education experts, labor leaders, area school administrators and school board members today laid out disastrous financial problems at a state Senate hearing on the impact of state public school funding cuts. Held at Sen. Jim Brewster’s...
Fontana’s Child Abuse Reporting Amendment Moves Forward
HARRISBURG, June 12, 2012 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) announced today that his Senate Bill 549, which would add stronger requirements for school employees reporting suspected child abuse, has moved forward as an amendment to Senator Kim Ward’s...
Fontana Announces Extension of Property/Tax Rent Rebate Filing Deadline
HARRISBURG, June 5, 2012 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana today announced that the filing deadline for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for seniors and the disabled has been extended to December 31. “This deadline extension gives people more time to apply,”...
Sen. Fontana Views Senate Budget Plan as Positive First Step
HARRISBURG, May 9, 2012 – The Pennsylvania State Senate today passed a revised version of the state’s fiscal 2012-13 spending plan: “While I still consider this spending plan a work in progress, I voted for this improved budget (Senate Bill 1466) because it makes...
Fontana, Kotik Secure Funds for Kennedy Township Water Line Extension
BROOKLINE, May 1, 2012 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana was pleased to present a check, along with Rep. Nick Kotik, to the Kennedy Township Board of Commissioners on April 9, at the Kennedy Township Municipal Building. The $150,000 check for Kennedy Township was...
Fontana Bill Would Enable Allegheny County to Eliminate Property Taxes
BROOKLINE, April 2, 2012 – As a response to the countless number of individuals who have demanded a solution to Allegheny County’s unfair tax system, State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana introduced legislation today that would do away with the controversial property...
Fontana Selected to Serve on Senate Ethics Panel
HARRISBURG, March 8, 2012 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D – Allegheny) has been selected to serve on the Senate Committee on Ethics and Official Conduct. “I am honored to serve on the ethics panel because I know how important the committee is and the role that it...
Senator Fontana’s “Skills for Success” Career Workshops Begin Again this Month
BROOKLINE, March 6, 2012 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced a series of seven free career workshops that will get underway on March 19.
The program “Skills for Success – The Fontana Series” is being presented by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh with funding secured by the senator. Rachel Masilamani and Georgiana Deming are the presenters. They have over 10 years combined experience assisting library visitors with job hunting, online applications and resume writing.
Fontana Prods Corbett Administration for Long Term Bipartisan Transit Solution
HARRISBURG, February 23, 2012 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) has enlisted the support of state Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch in his efforts to broker a lasting bipartisan solution to the state’s transportation funding crisis.
Senate Democrats: Use Settlement to Halt Foreclosures, Stabilize Communities
HARRISBURG, February 15, 2012 — State Senate Democrats today called on the state Attorney General to earmark a significant portion of funds from the national $25 billion settlement with the nations largest mortgage servicers to fund a state program to prevent foreclosures.
Fontana: Corbett Budget Proposal Is ‘Groundhog Day’
HARRISBURG, February 7, 2012 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2012-13 state budget proposal: “Less than a week after we celebrated Groundhog Day, Pennsylvanians had a ‘Groundhog Day’ moment of...
Fontana: Corbett Budget Priorities Out of Whack
HARRISBURG, January 25, 2012 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) issued the following statement after joining with his Senate Democratic colleagues to unveil this year’s budget priorities. “Right now it is more important than ever to continue the fight to...
Fontana Asks Judge to Halt Allegheny County’s Reassessment “Fiasco”
Brookline, January 10, 2011 -- Citing the current reassessment process in Allegheny County as “unworkable, burdensome, expensive and inaccurate,” state Senator Wayne D. Fontana today asked county Judge R. Stanton Wettick, Jr. to delay its implementation. In his letter...
Fontana Reminds Constituents of Full-Service Offices
BROOKLINE, January 6, 2012 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today reminded constituents in the current 22nd House District that he is available to assist with state business as the current district is moved to Lehigh County.
Fontana Comments on Fitzgerald Reassessment Announcement
BROOKLINE, January 5, 2012 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement concerning Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald’s reassessment announcement: “I was proud to stand with the County Executive today as he announced the...
Fontana Unveils New and Improved Website
BROOKLINE, December 19, 2011 – Stating that the Internet is a good and easy-access means to provide a wide range of information to citizens, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today unveiled his new Internet website.
Fontana Reminds Seniors of Dec. 31 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Filing Deadline
HARRISBURG, December 13, 2011 – Sen. Wayne D. Fontana is urging eligible senior citizens to make sure they file their state property tax/rent rebate application by the Dec. 31 deadline.
Fontana Introduces Legislation to Raise Awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit
HARRISBURG, December 7, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana has introduced legislation requiring employers to post and provide written notification to employees of their potential eligibility for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Fontana Bill Would Motivate Non-Profits to “Do the Right Thing”
PITTSBURGH, November 30, 2011 – – After attending today’s Senate Banking and Insurance Committee hearing on the dispute between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and Highmark, Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Pittsburgh) again stressed the need for legislative action to address non-profit organizations that are clearly driven by profit.
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.