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
Table Games Legislation
September 16, 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Comments on Budget Compromise
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 11, 2009 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement on today’s proposed budget compromise agreement. “While I am encouraged by this overdue compromise agreement, I still intend on thoroughly reviewing all of...
Fontana Reminds Voters of Registration Deadline
PITTSBURGH, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 - State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today reminded eligible voters that to participate in the Nov. 3 election, they must be registered by Oct. 5. “Voting is not only a right in Pennsylvania, it’s a responsibility,” Fontana said....
Learn how to prevent, detect and respond to identity theft
August 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Commends Local Radio Stations for Years of Broadcasting
Laments Loss of Pittsburgh Urban Community’s Voice HARRISBURG, JULY 28, 2009—State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today recognized a local radio station for its years of broadcasting in the Pittsburgh region. According to Fontana, WAMO-FM, Pittsburgh’s only urban radio...
Fontana Commends Local Radio Stations for Years of Broadcasting
July 28, 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Advocates Additional Funding Sources for Restoration of Programs Critical to PA’s Fiscal Health
HARRISBURG, JULY 22, 2009 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today called on his colleagues to look at other ways to restore or retain programs that are critical to Pennsylvania’s fiscal health, without increasing the personal income tax (PIT). “I am not...
Fontana Blasts GOP for Stalling Unemployment Benefits Extension
HARRISBURG, July 20, 2009 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today criticized Senate Republicans for blocking bipartisan legislation that would use federal money to extend unemployment benefits for jobless workers. He said 1,330 workers from Allegheny...
Sen. Fontana speaks out against a newly-amended House Bill 1416
July2009 - Click Here to Listen
Insurance companies must pay for the treatment of autistic children
July 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Senate committee makes major changes to the gaming reform law
June 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Help is available for personal finances
June 2009 - Click Here to Listen
New Program Helps Fund Alternative Energy Projects
HARRISBURG, MAY 27, 2009 - Pennsylvania homeowners and small business owners seeking to reduce their electric bills through alternative energy projects can find assistance through a new rebate program, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana said today. The PA Sunshine Solar...
SB 850 Floor Remarks
May 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Pennsylvania Homeowners: Get help with your mortgage
May 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana: Property Tax Rebate Status Now Available Online
HARRISBURG, MAY 14, 2009 - A new Web resource will allow individuals who apply for state-granted Property Tax or Rent Rebates to check the status of their applications online, according to state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana. The new Web site, www.papropertytaxrelief.com,...
Fontana encourages all residents to visit the library during National Library Week
April 2009 - Click Here to Listen
All children under the age of 8 should be in a car seat
April 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Reminds Voters of Monday Registration Deadline
BROOKLINE, April 17, 2009 – Senator Wayne D. Fontana today reminded area voters that the voter registration deadline for the May 19 primary election is this Monday, April 20. “This year’s primary will feature numerous local, county and statewide judicial races,’...
Fontana Announces Launch of Child Advocacy Center Website
PITTSBURGH, April 2, 2009 - State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today joined representatives of Allegheny County’s Child Advocacy Center - A Child’s Place - to announce the launch of a new website to assist individuals working with child abuse victims, both...
Senate Approves Legislation Reauthorizing Health Care Cost Containment Council
HARRISBURG, MAR. 24, 2009 –The Pennsylvania Senate today passed legislation authored by Sens. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York) and Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) reauthorizing the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4). Under Senate Bill 89, PHC4 would...
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.