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
Los perforadores de gas deben trabajar con nuestras comunidades, no contra ellas
Op-Ed by Senator Wayne Fontana I was disappointed to hear that the Marcellus Shale Coalition is already scurrying into court in an attempt to overturn parts of Pennsylvania’s new gas drilling regulations. The industry needs to understand that our people are entitled...
Fontana Lauds Progress of Lower Hill District Infrastructure Work
Pittsburgh, October 7, 2016 -- State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) today served as master of ribbon cutting ceremonies as officials and community leaders marked the opening of the new connector streets in the city’s lower Hill District. “Reconstructing these...
Fontana anuncia una subvención estatal de 5 millones de dólares para dos proyectos locales
Brookline - 30 de septiembre de 2016 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana anunció hoy la financiación de subvenciones estatales para dos proyectos en Pittsburgh. "Me complace que los dólares estatales complementen estos esfuerzos locales de desarrollo económico y recursos comunitarios", dijo Fontana. "Voy a ...
Fontana Details Steady Progress of Beechview Rail Project
Beechview, September 9, 2016 –State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today said he is pleased with the progress of the Red Line rail project in Beechview and confident it will reopen for riders on Sept. 25 as scheduled. “I have worked and remained in touch with county and local...
Una audiencia legislativa conjunta en Pittsburgh se centra en la erradicación del deterioro urbano
Wilkinsburg, August 4, 2016 – At the request of state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, a joint state Senate-House Democratic Policy Committee hearing was held today on efforts and resources to fight blight within our communities, including the successes and...
Fontana Measure to Mandate Online Posting of School Policies Becomes Law
Harrisburg, July 15, 2016 - Public school districts will soon be required to post additional policies and information on their websites under legislation sponsored by Sen. Wayne D. Fontana's (D-Allegheny) that was amended into the state's school code (House Bill...
Fontana Business Development Legislation Enacted
Harrisburg, July 14, 2016 –Sen. Wayne D. Fontana’s (D-Allegheny) legislation that funds the state’s “Business in our Sites” program has passed the legislature and was signed into law (Act 85 of 2106) by the governor. The Business in our Sites program invests state...
Fontana Wins Expansion of State’s Film Tax Credit Program
Harrisburg, July 13, 2016 – The state Senate today approved legislation backed by Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) that will bolster Pennsylvania’s film and television industry by expanding the state’s film tax credit program. “The state’s film tax credit program...
Fontana Helps Secure State Money for Beechview Revitalization
HARRISBURG, July 1, 2016 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today announced $600,000 in state grant funding to redesign and revitalize part of Broadway Avenue in Beechview. “This project will make that business corridor safer, more attractive and more...
El Senado aprueba el proyecto de ley Fontana para ayudar a las comunidades a subsanar los problemas de colectores de alcantarillado
HARRISBURG, 30 de junio de 2016 - El Senado estatal aprobó hoy por unanimidad la legislación patrocinada por el senador Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) que daría a los gobiernos municipales la opción de establecer políticas y ayudar a los residentes a reparar los laterales de alcantarillado dañados. "Este...
El senador Fontana aplaude el aumento de la financiación de la educación en el proyecto de presupuesto
HARRISBURG, 30 de junio de 2016 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana proporcionó el siguiente comentario ayer por la tarde después de que el Senado estatal votara 47-3 a favor de un presupuesto fiscal bipartidista 2016-17 (Proyecto de Ley del Senado 1073). El proyecto de ley ahora regresa a la Cámara para su consideración. "Como...
El Senado aprueba por unanimidad la reforma de la Autoridad de Cooperación Intergubernamental de Pittsburgh
Harrisburg - 28 de junio de 2016 - La legislación que establece la rendición de cuentas y la transparencia en la Autoridad de Cooperación Intergubernamental (ACI) de Pittsburgh recibió hoy apoyo unánime en el Senado, dijeron los senadores Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) y...
El Comité aprueba la enmienda de Fontana para prohibir la discriminación por orientación sexual en el lugar de trabajo
HARRISBURG, 22 de junio de 2016 - Un comité del Senado estatal aprobó hoy la enmienda del senador Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) que prohibiría la discriminación en el lugar de trabajo basada en la orientación sexual o la identidad de género. "Mi propuesta pone la fuerza de la ley detrás de la discriminación básica...
La Comisión del Senado respalda el proyecto de ley de Fontana para que los compradores de viviendas puedan someterse a pruebas de detección del plomo
HARRISBURG, 22 de junio de 2016 - La Comisión de Asuntos Urbanos y Vivienda del Senado estatal ha aprobado hoy por unanimidad el proyecto de ley del senador Wayne D. Fontana que daría a los compradores de vivienda la opción de solicitar que se analice una posible vivienda para determinar qué nivel de plomo hay en el...
Los enfermeros se manifiestan en apoyo del proyecto de ley de Fontana sobre personal y cuidados hospitalarios
HARRISBURG, 10 de mayo de 2016 - Decenas de enfermeras se reunieron hoy en la Rotonda del Capitolio estatal para mostrar su apoyo a la legislación patrocinada por el senador Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) que mejoraría la dotación de personal y la calidad de la atención en los hospitales de Pensilvania. El proyecto de ley del Senado de Fontana...
La audiencia del Senado estatal en Pittsburgh se centra en el tratamiento de la adicción a los opiáceos
Pittsburgh - 7 de abril de 2016 - A petición del líder demócrata del Senado estatal, Jay Costa, el Comité de Política Demócrata del Senado estatal celebró hoy una audiencia sobre las formas de mejorar el acceso al tratamiento para las personas que sufren adicción a los opiáceos, como la heroína, el opio y...
Fontana y Costa piden la destitución del Director del ICA, Investigación Criminal
Harrisburg, 5 de abril de 2016 - El líder demócrata estatal Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) y el presidente del Caucus Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) pidieron hoy la destitución del director ejecutivo de la Autoridad de Cooperación Intergubernamental (ACI) de Pittsburgh, Henry V. Sciortino, y...
Un proyecto de ley en Fontana permitiría a los compradores de viviendas someterse a una prueba de detección de plomo
HARRISBURG, 23 de marzo de 2016 -El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana ha presentado hoy una ley que daría a los compradores de viviendas la opción de solicitar que se analice una vivienda para determinar qué nivel de plomo hay en el agua. El proyecto de ley de Fontana (Proyecto de Ley del Senado 1176) fue parte de un...
Fontana reelegido Vicepresidente del Consejo de PHEAA
HARRISBURG, 18 de febrero de 2016 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) ha sido reelegido hoy por unanimidad como vicepresidente del consejo de administración de la Agencia de Asistencia a la Educación Superior de Pensilvania (PHEAA). Creada en 1963 por el estado...
Declaración de Fontana sobre el intento de destitución de Kane en el Senado
HARRISBURG, 10 de febrero de 2016 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana ha hecho hoy la siguiente declaración sobre el intento de votación del Senado estatal para destituir a la fiscal general Kathleen Kane. El Senado votó 29 a 19 a favor de recomendar la destitución de Kane. Sin embargo,...
El informe del Auditor General del Estado respalda la petición de Fontana de disolver el ICA
PITTSBURGH, 10 de noviembre de 2015 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) emitió hoy una declaración en respuesta al informe de auditoría emitido por el auditor general del estado Eugene DePasquale. La auditoría concluye que la Autoridad de Cooperación Intergubernamental impuesta por el estado...
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.