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
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...
Fontana and Solobay Introduce Non-Profit Services Fee Bill
HARRISBURG, JAN. 5, 2010 — State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana and Rep. Timothy J. Solobay have introduced legislation that would allow for the imposition of an “essential services fee” on tax-exempt organizations that own property within a municipality. The lawmakers said...
Committee to Hold Public Hearing on “Essential Services Fee” Proposal for Non-Profit Orgnizations
January 5, 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Senate Passes Table Games Legislation
January 5, 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Paying your heating bills
December 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Reminds Seniors of Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline
BROOKLINE, DECEMBER 7, 2009 - State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today reminded homeowners and renters that Dec. 31 is the deadline to apply for the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for seniors and residents with disabilities. The rebate program benefits...
Fontana, Solobay Introduce Non-Profit Essential Services Fee Bill
HARRISBURG, NOV. 23, 2009 — State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana and Rep. Timothy J. Solobay began circulating a co-sponsorship memo today to colleagues urging their support of legislation that would amend the Institutions of Purely Public Charity Act to allow political...
Fontana Letter Urges Grant to Fund Libraries
HARRISBURG, November 18, 2009 — State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana has sent the following letter to the Pittsburgh City Council in support of legislation being considered today that would provide a $600,000 “bridge” grant to the Carnegie Library: November 17, 2009 Dear...
Fontana, Solobay Introduce Non-Profit Essential Services Fee Bill
November 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Pennsylvania honors its veterans
November 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Joins Learning Express Toys in Robinson For Ribbon Cutting
State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) will join Jennifer Palashoff and Julie Toussaint, owners of the Learning Express of Robinson, for the new franchise’s ribbon cutting. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, November 5th at 1 p.m. at...
Home Heating Program Will Open on Nov 2
HARRISBURG, October 27, 2009 -- Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today reminded citizens that Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) will open for the 2009-10 heating season on Nov. 2. LIHEAP operates by providing cash grants to help...
Fontana Applauds RAD Board’s Vote to Audit Library System
HARRISBURG, OCT. 22, 2009—State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today applauded the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) Board for its approval yesterday of the recommendation of its auditing committee to order a special audit of the library system. “There are a lot of...
Fontana Requests that Carnegie Board Delay Branch Closures
HARRISBURG, OCT. 21, 2009—State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana yesterday continued his fight to keep open four branches of the Carnegie Library in the City of Pittsburgh by requesting the members of the Carnegie Library Board of Trustees to delay the planned closures, mergers...
Fontana Urges RAD Board to Move Forward with Carnegie’s Audit
HARRISBURG, OCT. 19, 2009 — State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today continued his fight to keep open four branches of the Carnegie Library in the City of Pittsburgh by urging the members of the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) Board to follow the recommendations of...
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.