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
Fontana aplaude la apertura de nuevos apartamentos para personas mayores en Mt. Washington
BROOKLINE, 13 de julio de 2011 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana ha participado hoy en la gran inauguración de la nueva residencia de ancianos South Hills, de 106 unidades, en Mt. Washington. "Estoy orgulloso de haber desempeñado un papel en el esfuerzo de la comunidad que hizo de este proyecto una realidad",...
Fontana aplaude la Ley de protección de las prestaciones PACE/PACENET
HARRISBURG, 6 de julio de 2011 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana elogió hoy la nueva ley estatal que protege a miles de beneficiarios de PACE/PACENET de perder su elegibilidad debido a pequeños aumentos del coste de la vida de la Seguridad Social. "Los beneficios de medicamentos recetados son demasiado críticos ...
Costa, Ferlo y Fontana anuncian una subvención para camiones de basura a gas natural en Pittsburgh
HARRISBURG, 23 de junio de 2011 - La ciudad de Pittsburgh recibirá una subvención de 500.000 dólares para la compra de cuatro nuevos camiones de basura propulsados por gas natural comprimido (GNC), según anunciaron hoy los senadores estatales Jay Costa, Jim Ferlo y Wayne Fontana. Jay Costa, Jim Ferlo y Wayne Fontana anunciaron hoy. Los fondos fueron otorgados a través...
Los demócratas del Senado luchan por que los funcionarios locales gobiernen
HARRISBURG, 22 de junio de 2011 - State Sens. Wayne D. Fontana, John Blake y Jim Brewster se opusieron hoy a la legislación que permitiría poner en marcha una junta de gestión de 3 miembros en una comunidad de la Ley 47 que no apruebe el plan de un coordinador. Aunque dirigido a la...
Senator Fontana advises you to check with PA 511 before driving
June 2011 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana elogia la reurbanización del ferrocarril de McKees Rocks
HARRISBURG, 20 de junio de 2011 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana ha hecho hoy la siguiente declaración después de que Trinity Commercial Development LLC de Pittsburgh anunciara la reurbanización de la antigua propiedad del ferrocarril Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad en McKees Rocks, un proyecto que...
Fontana anuncia que el PHEAA votará a favor de 50 millones de dólares adicionales para el programa de subvenciones estatales
HARRISBURG, 16 de junio de 2011 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana, que también es vicepresidente de la Agencia de Asistencia a la Educación Superior de Pensilvania (PHEAA), ha anunciado hoy que el Consejo de Administración ha autorizado una contribución de servicio público de 50 millones de dólares por parte de PHEAA para...
Fontana insta a la Cámara de Representantes a tomar medidas rápidas sobre la tasa de transferencia privada
HARRISBURG, 14 de junio 2011 - La legislación presentada por el senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana para prohibir el uso futuro de las tasas de transferencia privada en Pennsylvania aprobó el Senado hoy por unanimidad. Ahora pasa a la Cámara de Representantes para su concurrencia. "Estoy...
Fontana pide al DCED que facilite información sobre la propuesta de Liberty Fund
HARRISBURG, 7 de junio de 2011 - El Senador Estatal Wayne D. Fontana ha enviado la siguiente carta al Secretario del Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario y Económico, C. Alan Walker, solicitando detalles sobre la Propuesta del Fondo de Libertad: 7 de junio de 2011 Estimado Secretario Walker: Este fin de semana...
Fontana lucha por restablecer las partidas para programas de desarrollo económico
HARRISBURG, 26 de mayo 2011 - El senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana (D - Allegheny) anunció hoy que luchará para restaurar partidas separadas para los Centros de Desarrollo de Pequeñas Empresas, Distritos de Desarrollo Local, Centros de Recursos Industriales y...
Sen. Fontana tells what to do if you suspect abuse of an elderly person
May 2011 - Click Here to Listen
House set to vote on budget bill similar to Gov. Corbett’s budget proposal
May 2011 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana califica de insensato el intento de consolidar los programas de desarrollo económico
HARRISBURG, 18 de mayo de 2011 - En una audiencia del Comité de Política del Senado celebrada hoy en el Centro de Artes Padre Ryan en McKees Rocks, el senador estatal Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) y otros miembros del comité escucharon el testimonio de varios programas de desarrollo económico sobre sus...
Fontana aplaude la aprobación del proyecto de ley que prohíbe las sales de baño
Harrisburg, 10 de mayo 2011--State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana dijo hoy que está satisfecho con la aprobación unánime del Senado de la legislación que prohíbe la posesión, uso y venta de las llamadas sales de baño, salvia divinorum y marihuana sintética. Proyecto de ley del Senado 1006, que...
Fontana: Home Heating Assistance Deadline Extended
BROOKLINE, April 4, 2011 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today announced that the deadline to apply for the state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended to April 15. “It has been a long and difficult winter for many families struggling...
Fontana presenta una ley para reconfigurar la Junta de la Autoridad Portuaria
HARRISBURG, March 29, 2011 – Responding to the most recent failure to address issues with the Port Authority of Allegheny County, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) is introducing legislation to reconfigure the Port Authority Board to ensure better...
Senator Fontana says Pennsylvania parents with autistic children can get help paying for care
March 2011 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Says Budget All About Priorities
HARRISBURG, March 8, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny), who serves as Democratic chairman of the Senate Committee on Community, Economic and Recreational Development, today made the following comment on Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget proposal: “This budget...
Fontana Lauds Senate Vote on Private Transfer Fee Legislation
HARRISBURG, March 2, 2011 – Legislation introduced by state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana to prohibit the future use of private transfer fees in Pennsylvania passed the Senate today by a unanimous vote. It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. “I am...
State Senate Democrats announce job creation initiative
February 23, 2011 - Click Here to Listen
Sen. Fontana Spearheads Jobs Initiative
HARRISBURG, February 23, 2011 – Calling it his top legislative priority, state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today joined with fellow Senate Democrats in unveiling a six-point proposal that would help businesses create jobs, rebuild the state’s aging...
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.