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 Opening of New Senior Citizen Apartments in Mt. Washington
BROOKLINE, July 13, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today took part in the grand opening of the new 106-unit South Hills Retirement Residence in Mt. Washington. “I am proud to have played a part in the community effort that made this project a reality,” Fontana...
Fontana Applauds PACE/PACENET Benefits Protection Law
HARRISBURG, July 6, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today lauded the new state law that protects thousands of PACE/PACENET recipients from losing their eligibility due to small Social Security cost of living increases. “Prescription drug benefits are too critical...
Costa, Ferlo and Fontana Announce Grant for Natural Gas-Powered Refuse Trucks in Pittsburgh
HARRISBURG, June 23, 2011 - The City of Pittsburgh will be awarded a $500,000 grant to purchase four new refuse trucks powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), state Sens. Jay Costa, Jim Ferlo and Wayne Fontana announced today. The funds were awarded through the state...
Senate Democrats Fight for Local Officials to Govern
HARRISBURG, June 22, 2011 – State Sens. Wayne D. Fontana, John Blake and Jim Brewster today opposed legislation that would allow a 3-member management board to be put in place in an Act 47 community that does not approve a coordinator’s plan. Although aimed at the...
Senator Fontana advises you to check with PA 511 before driving
June 2011 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Lauds Redevelopment of McKees Rocks Railroad Site
HARRISBURG, June 20, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today provided the following statement after Trinity Commercial Development LLC of Pittsburgh announced that it was redeveloping the old Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad property in McKees Rocks, a project that...
Fontana Announces PHEAA Vote for Additional $50 Million for State Grant Program
HARRISBURG, June 16, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), announced today that the Board of Directors has authorized a $50 million public service contribution by PHEAA to...
Fontana Urges Quick House Action on Private Transfer Fee Legislation
HARRISBURG, June 14, 2011 – Legislation introduced by state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana to prohibit the future use of private transfer fees in Pennsylvania passed the Senate today by a unanimous vote. It now goes to the House of Representatives for concurrence. “I am...
Fontana Calls on DCED to Provide Information on Liberty Fund Proposal
HARRISBURG, June 7, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana has sent the following letter to Department of Community & Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker asking for details on the Liberty Fund Proposal: June 7, 2011 Dear Secretary Walker: This weekend, I...
Fontana Fighting to Restore Line Items for Economic Development Programs
HARRISBURG, May 26, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D – Allegheny) announced today that he will fight to restore separate line items for the Small Business Development Centers, Local Development Districts, Industrial Resource Centers and Industrial Development...
Sen. Fontana tells what to do if you suspect abuse of an elderly person
May 2011 - Click Here to Listen
House set to vote on budget bill similar to Gov. Corbett’s budget proposal
May 2011 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Calls Effort to Consolidate Economic Development Programs Senseless
HARRISBURG, May 18, 2011 – At a Senate Policy Committee hearing today at the Father Ryan Arts Center in McKees Rocks, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) and other members of the committee heard testimony from several economic development programs about their...
Fontana Applauds Passage of Bill to Ban Bath Salts
Harrisburg, May 10, 2011—-State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today said he is pleased with the Senate’s unanimous passage of legislation that would ban the possession, use and sale of so-called bath salts, salvia divinorum and synthetic marijuana. Senate Bill 1006, which...
Fontana: Home Heating Assistance Deadline Extended
BROOKLINE, April 4, 2011 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today announced that the deadline to apply for the state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended to April 15. “It has been a long and difficult winter for many families struggling...
Fontana Introducing Legislation to Reconfigure Port Authority Board
HARRISBURG, March 29, 2011 – Responding to the most recent failure to address issues with the Port Authority of Allegheny County, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) is introducing legislation to reconfigure the Port Authority Board to ensure better...
Senator Fontana says Pennsylvania parents with autistic children can get help paying for care
March 2011 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Says Budget All About Priorities
HARRISBURG, March 8, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny), who serves as Democratic chairman of the Senate Committee on Community, Economic and Recreational Development, today made the following comment on Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget proposal: “This budget...
Fontana Lauds Senate Vote on Private Transfer Fee Legislation
HARRISBURG, March 2, 2011 – Legislation introduced by state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana to prohibit the future use of private transfer fees in Pennsylvania passed the Senate today by a unanimous vote. It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. “I am...
State Senate Democrats announce job creation initiative
February 23, 2011 - Click Here to Listen
Sen. Fontana Spearheads Jobs Initiative
HARRISBURG, February 23, 2011 – Calling it his top legislative priority, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today joined with fellow Senate Democrats in unveiling a six-point proposal that would help businesses create jobs, rebuild the state’s aging...
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.