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 is opposed to gas drilling in state parks and forests
February 2011 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Warns of Student Aid Scams
Pittsburgh, February 17, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today warned students and their families about student financial aid scams. With so many students seeking school aid at this time of year, they and their families can become the target of scam...
CHIP proporciona seguro médico a los niños
February 2011 - Click Here to Listen
Sen. Fontana supports legislation to better manage sports related concussions
January 26, 2011 - Click Here to Listen
Help paying heating bills
January 2011 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Offers Help to Homeowners on Homestead Exemption
Pittsburgh, January 12, 2011 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today announced that his office stands ready to assist property owners in determining whether they need to do anything further to receive property tax relief. Recent news reports have indicated...
PA Moment – The arrival of cold weather means firing up the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or space heater. Senator Fontana reminds you to be safe when you turn up the heat.
December 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Senator Fontana reminds senior citizens that the Property Tax & Rent Rebate deadline is soon
December 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Urges Jobless to Keep Filing Claims
BROOKLINE, Dec. 10, 2010 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today said people whose unemployment compensation benefits expired before the 99 week limit should continue filing claims. “While Congress debates extending unemployment benefits for those looking for work, folks...
Information that may help you pay your mortgage
November 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Announces State Funding to Assist New Beechview IGA
Pittsburgh, November 18, 2010 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today announced that he has secured $250,000 in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) that will be added to funding that he had previously secured from the state for the new Beechview...
Fontana Lauds Senate Vote on Private Transfer Fee Legislation
HARRISBURG, October 14, 2010 – Legislation introduced by state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana to prohibit the future use of private transfer fees in Pennsylvania passed the Senate today and now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. “This is a true consumer...
Fontana Homeless Children Education Bill Moves from Committee
HARRISBURG, September 21, 2010 – Legislation introduced by State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana to form a task force that would study the best possible ways to educate homeless children was unanimously reported today out of the Senate Education Committee and now goes to the...
100th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall
September 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Senator Fontana’s Resolution Designates October as Realtors Reach-Out Month
September 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Senate panel looking for ways to help neighborhoods and business districts control criminal activity
September 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Keep Pennsylvania’s highways clean, beautiful and safe
September 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana recuerda a los votantes el plazo de inscripción
BROOKLINE, Sept. 14, 2010 – State Senator Wayne D. Fontana today reminded local citizens that new voters must register by October 4 if they plan on voting in the November 2 general election. “Your vote is your voice,” Fontana said. “Voting is your responsibility and...
Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program Addresses Behavioral Health
August 25, 2010 - Click Here to Listen
Fontana Announces New Program for High-Risk Uninsured Relief
August 4, 2010 - State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today announced the implementation of a new program that enables uninsured individuals with pre-existing conditions to receive first-rate healthcare through the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. “Federal...
Fontana to Introduce Beechview to its New Grocer
Pittsburgh, July 29, 2010 – State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (D-Allegheny) today announced a community meeting for Wednesday, August 11th at 7 p.m. in Beechview to introduce residents of the community to their new grocer. “I am absolutely thrilled that we have been able to...
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.