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
Military Personnel: Apply for Persian Gulf Conflict Bonus
March 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Allegheny Lawmakers Propose Tax Credit for Mass Transit Riders
March 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana: Adoption Photo Gallery Visits Region
HARRISBURG, MAR. 12, 2009 -State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced that a photo exhibit featuring Pennsylvania children waiting to be adopted is visiting Pittsburgh. According to Fontana, the Pennsylvania Heart Gallery, a traveling display featuring professional...
Fontana Supports State Film Production Tax Credit
HARRISBURG, March 5, 2009 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today provided the following statement in support of Pennsylvania’s Film Production Tax Credit: “In light of some proposals from my colleagues who are calling for the suspension of the Film...
Fontana: Home Energy Saving Rebates & Loans Available
HARRISBURG, MAR. 3, 2009 -State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today said assistance is now available in the form of rebates and low interest loans to Pennsylvania families who wish to make their homes more energy efficient Rebates of up to $500 or low-interest loans are...
Allegheny Lawmakers Propose Tax Credit for Mass Transit Riders
PITTSBURGH, February 27, 2009 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana and Rep. Nick Kotik are proposing a state tax credit of up to $100 for taxpayers who use mass transit. “Mass transit use eases traffic congestion, diminishes highway and bridge wear and tear, reduces...
Help is available to help pay heating bills
February 2009 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Honors Late Lt. Gov. Knoll on Senate Floor
HARRISBURG, February 9, 2009 – State Senator Wayne D-Fontana today gave the floor remarks during a state Senate ceremony honoring the late Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll: “I am very honored today to offer this resolution and to pay tribute to former Lt. Gov. Catherine...
Fontana to Host Financial Aid Seminar
PITTSBURGH, FEB. 1, 2009 - State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana is inviting college-bound students and their families seeking information about the financial aid process and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to a Financial Aid Seminar he is hosting. The...
Fontana Unveils E-mail Briefings
BROOKLINE, January 30, 2009 - Calling it a direct and timely way to communicate with more people, state Senator Wayne D-Fontana today introduced a free new e-mail briefing. “The ‘Fontana News and Views’ e-briefing gives me an additional way to reach out to...
Fontana Announces Re-Launch of I-CAN™ E-FILE on Website and Reintroduction of EITC Information Act
PITTSBURGH, January 21, 2009 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today announced the re-launch of the I-CAN!™ E-File button through his state website. The program allows low to moderate income tax filers to electronically file their state and federal income taxes and...
Vacant School Finds New Life
URA approves sale and financing of the former South Hills High School (PITTSBURGH) January 15 - The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Board of Directors authorized today the sale of and financing for the former South Hills High School on Mount Washington for a $22.5...
Fontana Says Emergency Volunteer Tax Credits Now Available
PITTSBURGH, January 15, 2009 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today said active volunteer firefighters, ambulance and rescue personnel can now file the “PA Schedule OC-V” form with their 2008 state income tax return to get the new $100 state income tax credit. Fontana...
Fontana to Serve as Democratic Chair of the Senate Committee
HARRISBURG, December 18, 2008 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) has been appointed to serve as Democratic Chair of the Senate Committee on Community, Economic and Recreational Development. “This committee post will give me a greater opportunity to steer...
Fontana Commends Expansion of Unemployment Compensation Service
HARRISBURG, DEC. 12, 2008—State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today commended the Department of Labor and Industry for expanding unemployment compensation services in an effort to accelerate assistance to Pennsylvanians who have lost their jobs. “The Department has taken an...
Vance, Fontana Push for Longer-Term Reauthorization of Health Care Cost Containment Council
HARRISBURG, November 20, 2008 – Sens. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York) and Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today thanked Gov. Ed Rendell for extending the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council’s (PHC4) work, but called on him to help address the issue...
Fontana Remembers Lt. Governor Knoll
November 13, 2008 —State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today released this statement regarding the death of Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll. Senator Fontana was honored to serve as the Lt. Governor’s State Senator and represent her as she was a resident of the...
Fontana Announces Opening of Home Heating Assistance Program
PITTSBURGH, OCT. 31, 2008 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana announced today that the Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, will open on Nov. 3 for individuals and families who need help paying their heating bills this winter. LIHEAP helps...
Fontana: State Election Site Helps Voters Prepare for Election Day
PITTSBURGH, OCT. 30, 2008—With the General Election less than a week away, state Sen. Wayne Fontana is encouraging Pennsylvania voters to visit VotesPA.com, the Department of State’s interactive voter education Web site. “It is important that all Pennsylvanians...
Fontana: Consulting Service Available for Small Business Owners
HARRISBURG, NOV. 24, 2008 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today announced that the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is now offering monthly office hours at his Kennedy Township Office to serve local small business owners. “I am pleased...
All Children Now Have Access to Health care
October 2008 - Click Here to Listen
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.