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
La Comisión de Asignaciones Demócratas del Senado celebra una audiencia sobre la ampliación de Medicaid
Pittsburgh, 8 de marzo de 2013 - Los miembros demócratas del Comité de Apropiaciones del Senado estatal celebraron hoy una audiencia en Pittsburgh para recibir el testimonio de funcionarios locales y expertos en atención médica en relación con la opción de Pensilvania de ampliar la cobertura de Medicaid bajo la Ley Federal de Cuidado de Salud Asequible.
Declaración del senador Fontana sobre el alcalde de Pittsburgh, Luke Ravenstahl:
"I have been a state Senator working to advance the City of Pittsburgh with Mayor Ravenstahl for the last seven years. By working together with his Administration, I was proud to advance the revitalization and transformation of many of the communities in my district,...
El Senador Fontana reelegido Vicepresidente de la Junta de PHEAA
Harrisburg, February 21, 2013 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today was unanimously re-elected to serve as the vice chairman of the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). “I am gratified by the unanimous vote...
Sen. Fontana Lauds Kane for Rejecting Lottery Privatization Contract
Pittsburgh, February 14, 2013 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following statement in reaction to Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s decision to reject the Lottery privatization contract on Constitutional grounds: “I applaud Attorney...
Fontana’s Business Investment Tax Credit Bill Wins Committee Nod
Harrisburg, February 13, 2013 – The state Senate Finance Committee today approved Sen. Wayne D. Fontana’s (D-Allegheny) legislation that would provide tax credits for those who invest in start-up Pennsylvania businesses. “This measure is about generating private...
Sen. Fontana Says State Budget Light on Economic Development, Creating Jobs
Harrisburg, February 5, 2013 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today provided the following reaction to Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2013-14 budget proposal: “While I am pleased that after largely ignoring the state’s biggest problems and challenges for the past two...
Fontana to Serve as Democratic Chairman of Key Senate Committee
Brookline, January 8, 2013 -- State Senator Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) has been re-appointed to serve as Democratic chairman of the Senate Committee on Community, Economic and Recreational Development. “I am pleased with this appointment and will continue my...
El senador Fontana sigue presionando a Corbett para que preste servicios de identificación de votantes a las comunidades
BROOKLINE, December 6, 2012 – Following is the text of the letter State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) sent today to Gov. Tom Corbett, reiterating his request to make the voter ID process more simple and convenient for citizens seeking the necessary photo...
Sen. Fontana Urges Action on Child Protection Recommendations
PITTSBURGH, November 27, 2012 – Pleased that the state Task Force on Child Protection’s report today supported his call provide additional protections for school students who are abused by school employees, state Senator Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) today urged that...
Senate Democrats Elect Leadership Team for 2013-14 Session
Harrisburg, November 14, 2012 – Members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today elected leaders for the upcoming 2013-14 legislative session, with Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) reelected for a second term as Democratic Leader.
Judge Blocks Portion of Voter ID Law
October 2, 2012 — Earlier today, Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson stayed the mandatory requirements of the Voter ID law (Act 18) for at least the 2012 general election. This means that the state of the law reverts to what it was during the primary where voters...
Facilitar la obtención de documentos de identidad
Elected officials should be able to issue them at their offices Op-ed By Sen. Wayne D. Fontana Act 18, signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett in March, requires all Pennsylvania voters to show an acceptable photo ID at the polls prior to casting a vote. Since its...
Fontana expresa su decepción por la decisión de la Administración de no llevar los servicios de identificación electoral a los barrios
HARRISBURG, 17 de septiembre de 2012 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) dijo hoy que está "decepcionado" por la decisión de la Administración Corbett de no llevar los servicios de identificación de votantes a los barrios. "Me decepciona que la Administración no reconozca la...
Fontana pide a los líderes del Senado que presenten un proyecto de ley que refuerce las leyes contra el maltrato infantil
HARRISBURG, 29 de agosto de 2012 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) pidió hoy a los líderes del Senado que hagan avanzar la legislación que fortalecería las leyes de Pennsylvania sobre la denuncia de abuso infantil. "Cada día que mi proyecto de ley del Senado 549 (SB 549) no es ley es otro día ...
El Senador Fontana pide al Gobernador que lleve los servicios de identificación de votantes a las comunidades
HARRISBURG, 17 de agosto de 2012 - El siguiente es el texto de la carta que el senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) envió hoy al gobernador Tom Corbett instándole a hacer el proceso de identificación de votantes más simple y conveniente para los ciudadanos que buscan la identificación con foto necesaria para...
Fontana pide al Gobierno de Corbett que lleve los servicios de identificación de votantes a las comunidades
HARRISBURG, 15 de agosto de 2012 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana (D-Brookline) pidió hoy a la Administración Corbett que establezca centros de barrio convenientes para ayudar a las personas a obtener la identificación con foto necesaria para votar. Lea la declaración del Senador Fontana del 17 de agosto de 2012....
La financiación de las escuelas públicas centra la sesión del Senado
Monroeville, 14 de junio de 2012 - Expertos en educación, líderes sindicales, administradores de escuelas de la zona y miembros de la junta escolar expusieron hoy los desastrosos problemas financieros en una audiencia del Senado estatal sobre el impacto de los recortes en la financiación de las escuelas públicas estatales. Celebrada en el senador Jim Brewster...
Avanza la enmienda contra el maltrato infantil en Fontana
HARRISBURG, 12 de junio de 2012 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) anunció hoy que su proyecto de ley 549 del Senado, que añadiría requisitos más estrictos para los empleados escolares que reportan sospechas de abuso infantil, ha avanzado como una enmienda a la...
Fontana anuncia la prórroga del plazo de presentación de la devolución del impuesto de bienes inmuebles/alquileres
HARRISBURG, 5 de junio de 2012 - El senador estatal Wayne Fontana anunció hoy que el plazo de presentación para el Programa de Reembolso de Impuestos a la Propiedad/Renta del estado para personas mayores y discapacitadas se ha ampliado hasta el 31 de diciembre. "Esta ampliación del plazo da a la gente más tiempo para aplicar",...
El senador Fontana considera que el plan presupuestario del Senado es un primer paso positivo
HARRISBURG, 9 de mayo de 2012 - El Senado del Estado de Pensilvania aprobó hoy una versión revisada del plan de gastos del estado fiscal 2012-13: "Aunque todavía considero este plan de gastos un trabajo en progreso, he votado a favor de este presupuesto mejorado (Proyecto de Ley del Senado 1466), ya que hace...
Fontana, Kotik Secure Funds for Kennedy Township Water Line Extension
BROOKLINE, May 1, 2012 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana was pleased to present a check, along with Rep. Nick Kotik, to the Kennedy Township Board of Commissioners on April 9, at the Kennedy Township Municipal Building. The $150,000 check for Kennedy Township was...
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.