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 Says Beechview Grocery Store Negotiations Underway
Pittsburgh, July 16, 2010 – Responding to inquiries from community residents, State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today said that negotiations are underway to bring a grocery store to the Beechview neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh, but cautioned that any...
Fontana Calls for Study on Educating Homeless Children
HARRISBURG, June 18, 2010 -- State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today introduced legislation to form a task force that would study the best possible ways to educate homeless children. “One of the misconceptions about homelessness has always been that it only impacts adults,...
Sen. Fontana offers a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the 1960 World Series Championship
June 15, 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Announces Extension of Rebate Application Deadline
Brookline, June 4, 2010 -- State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced that the deadline to apply for Property Tax/Rent rebates has been extended to December 31. “In these tough economic times, it is important to older Pennsylvanians to make use of every available...
Senate Honors Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Regatta
May 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Bridge Scholarship funding announcement in Pittsburgh
May 6, 2010 - Allegheny County state Senators Wayne Fontana, Jay Costa, Sean Logan and other state lawmakers will join representatives from Bridge Educational Foundation, CSX Transportation, AmeriChoice/Unison Health Plans, and RBC Capital Markets to announce the...
Fontana Reminds Students to Apply for Financial Aid
BROOKLINE, APRIL 26, 2010 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today reminded college students and their families that the deadline for most college-bound students to apply for state grant aid for the upcoming school year is May 1. “Financial aid is what makes higher...
Fontana Designates April 11-17th, 2010 as National Library Week in PA
HARRISBURG, APRIL 12, 2010 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today recognized the importance of libraries on the Senate floor designating April 11th -17th, 2010 as National Library Week in Pennsylvania. First sponsored in 1958, the observance of “National Library Week"...
Fontana: No Need to Pay Anyone to Help You Apply for Rebate
PITTSBURGH, March 25, 2010 - State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today reminded people eligible for the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program that he and his local office staff stand ready to assist people for free. A mailer sent out locally offers to help...
Fontana Opposes Sales Tax on Real Estate Transactions
HARRISBURG, March 24, 2010 – Claiming that it would have a chilling effect on home ownership and the state’s struggling real estate industry, state Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today said he will oppose expanding the sales tax to real estate transactions....
Fontana Backs Jobs Legislation
HARRISBURG, March 23, 2010 -- State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today said he will push for swift action on new state legislation that would fund over 40,000 transitional jobs over a two year period. Fontana said the Senate Democratic jobs proposal would...
Fontana Urges Voters to Register for Upcoming Primary
PITTSBURGH, MARCH 22, 2010 - State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today reminded eligible voters that to participate in the May 18 primary election, they must be registered by April 19. “This is an important election year for Pennsylvanians,” Fontana said. “It is...
Fontana Reintroduces School Child Abuse Bill
PITTSBURGH, March 2, 2010 -- State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) has reintroduced legislation that would protect children from abuse by teachers or other school employees. “It is outrageous that school employees -- individuals students trust and look up to --...
Fontana Announces Grants Available for Autistic Individuals
PITTSBURGH, FEB. 24, 2010 - Children and adults living with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can seek support through state mini-grants, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) announced today. Autism is a neurobiological disorder that affects a person’s ability to...
PA Moment – The numbers show Pennsylvania’s commitment to recycling is producing results.
February 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Calls Rendell Budget a “Good Starting Point”
Harrisburg – February 9, 2010 – Stressing that he will fight to hold the line on taxes and create good jobs, State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today said the governor’s $29 billion budget proposal is on the right track. “Even though the state is currently facing a...
Fontana Says He Will Push for Job Initiatives in State Budget
Harrisburg – February 3, 2010 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today joined fellow Democrats in calling for budget initiatives that would streamline state spending and make job creation and economic development legislative priorities. “It is very important that we...
Fontana: Low-Income Heating Crisis Grants Now Available
BROOKLINE, JAN. 21, 2010 - State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today reminded low-income families facing heating crises that Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) crisis grants are now available. “Many families experience unexpected trouble heating their homes,”...
Be safe using alternate heating sources
January 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Praises Senate Passage of Table Games Compromise
HARRISBURG, JANUARY 5, 2010 – Calling it a good way to create jobs, boost the economy and generate badly revenues, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today praised the Senate’s final passage of the conference committee agreement that would allow table games at...
Fontana Named to Conference Committee on Table Games
HARRISBURG, JAN. 5, 2010 — State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) has been named as the Senate Democratic conferee on the six-member conference committee that is expected to hammer out a final agreement on table games legislation. “I am honored to serve on this key...
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.