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
Vaccination Clinic
In conjunction with Pathways Wellness Program and the Borough of Dormont, I will be hosting a COVID and Flu Vaccination Clinic on Friday, October 15 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Dormont Rec Center, located at 1801 Dormont Avenue. Attendees can receive a COVID vaccine,...
Sen. Fontana Issues Statement on “Non-Answers” from VisitPITTSBURGH
Allegheny County – September 10, 2021- State Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement after the hearing held this week of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee regarding legislation authorizing new...
Fontana Announces $2.6M in Violence, Drug Prevention Grants
HARRISBURG – September 9, 2021 – Local organizations working to stem the tide of community violence and opiod abuse will receive more than $2.6 million in state grants to fund their work, state Sen. Wayne Fontana announced today. “The groups receiving this funding...
Declaración del senador Fontana sobre el mandato estatal de máscaras
Condado de Allegheny - 1 de septiembre de 2021 - El senador Wayne Fontana emitió hoy la siguiente declaración sobre la acción de la Administración Wolf con respecto a las máscaras en las escuelas: "Al ordenar el enmascaramiento para los estudiantes, maestros y personal de Pensilvania, la Administración Wolf ha tomado una...
El senador Fontana aplaude los premios del USDA a frutas y hortalizas frescas para varias escuelas de la zona
Condado de Allegheny - 4 de agosto de 2021 - Hoy, el senador estatal Wayne Fontana anunció que varias escuelas locales recibirán fondos a través del Programa de Frutas y Verduras Frescas del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA) para el próximo año escolar. El senador Fontana aplaudió la...
Fontana anuncia ayudas estatales para proyectos de mejora comunitaria
Condado de Allegheny - 3 de agosto de 2021 - Tres organizaciones locales han recibido tres cuartos de millón de dólares en subvenciones estatales para proyectos de mejora de la comunidad, anunció hoy el senador Wayne Fontana. Las subvenciones se encuentran entre los 41 proyectos de toda Pensilvania para...
Subvención de 1,1 millones de dólares a la Autoridad de Aguas y Alcantarillado de Coraopolis
Condado de Allegheny - 23 de julio de 2021 - Hoy, el senador del estado de Pensilvania Wayne Fontana anunció una subvención de $ 1,117,000 se ha concedido a la Autoridad de Agua y Alcantarillado Coraopolis (CWSA) de la Autoridad de Inversión en Infraestructura de Pensilvania (PENNVEST). La subvención...
Se aprueban 23,9 millones de dólares para el proyecto de rehabilitación del agua y el alcantarillado de Pittsburgh
Condado de Allegheny - 23 de julio de 2021 - Hoy, los senadores del estado de Pensilvania del condado de Allegheny, incluyendo el líder demócrata del Senado Jay Costa, el senador Wayne Fontana y el senador Lindsey Williams, anunciaron la aprobación de un préstamo de $ 23,970,000 para el...
Los demócratas del Senado de Pensilvania organizan una audiencia sobre la crisis del personal sanitario en Pensilvania
Harrisburg – July 21, 2021 - At the request of Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Sen. Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny), Sen. Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland), Sen. Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny), & House Representative...
Comisión de Política Demócrata del Senado: Audiencia sobre la crisis del personal sanitario
El condado de Allegheny recibe 628.880 dólares en subvenciones estatales para mejoras del tráfico
Condado de Allegheny - 7 de julio de 2021 - Hoy, los senadores del estado de Pensilvania del condado de Allegheny incluyendo el líder demócrata del Senado Jay Costa, el senador Wayne Fontana y el senador Lindsey Williams anunciaron $ 628,880 en subvenciones estatales se han concedido a la zona...
Barreras en Pensilvania para la comunidad transexual
Fontana Lauds Boost for Film Industry Jobs in 2021-22 Budget
HARRISBURG – June 28, 2021 – State Sen. Wayne Fontana today praised the inclusion in Pennsylvania’s final budget changes to the Film Production Tax Credit that will recognize the popularity of short-series streaming shows and help producers apply the tax credits to...
Los demócratas del Senado proponen una ley de recuperación de restaurantes y tabernas
Harrisburg, Pa. - 21 de junio 2021 - Después de que los republicanos no lograron aprobar un proyecto de ley limpio y bipartidista para ampliar las bebidas mezcladas para llevar para restaurantes y tabernas, los demócratas del Senado de Pensilvania están introduciendo una legislación que...
Los defensores de la educación impulsan el programa de ayudas a la matrícula "Nellie Bly" de Fontana
HARRISBURG, 15 de junio de 2021 - Un grupo diverso de defensores de la educación se unió hoy al senador estatal Wayne Fontana para instar a la aprobación de la legislación de Fontana para crear el "Programa de Becas Nellie Bly" destinado a aliviar las cargas financieras para mantener a los estudiantes de Pensilvania en...
Comentarios del Sen. Fontana - Becas Nellie Bly para PASSHE
Fontana destina 3 millones de dólares a la adquisición de viviendas en la región
HARRISBURG, 11 de junio de 2021 - Las organizaciones locales que ayudan a los compradores de vivienda de bajos ingresos a alcanzar su sueño y ayudar a otros a estabilizar sus vidas, recibirán $ 3 millones en fondos estatales para avanzar en sus esfuerzos, anunció hoy el senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana. "La propiedad de la vivienda...
Fontana anuncia 3 millones de dólares en subvenciones para el tratamiento y la prevención de las drogodependencias
HARRISBURG, June 10, 2021 – Drug treatment and prevention efforts in Allegheny County received a nearly $3 million boost today through state grants announced by Senator Wayne D. Fontana. “The battle with addiction was intensified by the isolation and anxiety of the...
Audiencia sobre la mejora de las residencias de ancianos y los centros de cuidados de larga duración
Los demócratas del Senado de Pensilvania celebran una audiencia sobre la mejora de la atención en residencias de ancianos
Harrisburg - 2 de junio de 2021 - A petición de los senadores Wayne Fontana (D- Allegheny), el líder demócrata del Senado Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Jim Brewster (D- Allegheny/Westmoreland), y Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny), el Comité de Política Demócrata del Senado de Pensilvania...
Fontana: La lucha local contra el deterioro recibe un impulso estatal de 600 000 dólares
HARRISBURG, 25 de mayo de 2021 - Los municipios locales con proyectos para luchar contra el deterioro y estabilizar las comunidades recibirán más de 600.000 dólares en subvenciones para financiar sus esfuerzos, anunció hoy el senador estatal Wayne Fontana. "Muchas de nuestras comunidades más antiguas están plagadas de...
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.