Working to Keep Georgians Safe During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Federal Response
The federal government has declared a public health emergency and urges all Americans to exercise caution. In Congress, we have passed two bills to address this crisis. And I'm going to Washington, D.C. right now to vote on the third – a $2 trillion stimulus that will save lives and help support families, workers and small businesses.
The first bill, the Coronavirus supplemental, or H.R. 6074; provided $8.3 billion in emergency federal funding to help states, federal agencies and public health providers. Text of H.R. 6074, is available HERE. The bill includes:
• More than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
• $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response, $950 million for state & local health agencies.
• Nearly $1 billion for prescriptions & medical supplies to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers.
• $1.25 billion to address the coronavirus abroad to help keep Americans safe here at home.
• $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses.
Congress has also passed The Families First Coronavirus Response Act:
• Free Coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test, including the uninsured.
• Paid emergency leave with both 10 days of paid sick leave and up to 3 months of paid family leave.
• Enhanced unemployment benefits.
• Strengthened food security initiatives, including SNAP, student meals, seniors' nutrition and food banks.
• Increased federal funds for Medicaid, as states face increased costs.
The House will vote Friday morning on the third bill, which seeks to provide economic stimulation in the form of payments for individuals and small businesses. I will have a full report on the bill during my telephone town hall next Thursday and on more reports via this e-letter and on my website.
FDA Continues to Facilitate Development of Treatments: The Food and Drug Administration has been working closely with other government agencies and academic centers that are investigating the use of the drug chloroquine, which is already approved for treating malaria, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, to determine whether it can be used to treat patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 to potentially reduce the duration of symptoms, as well as viral shedding, which can help prevent the spread of disease. Studies are underway at the FDA to determine the efficacy in using chloroquine to treat COVID-19. For more information, click HERE.
FAQs for Catastrophic Health Coverage from CMS: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released an FAQ document that clarifies coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 by catastrophic health plans. The FAQs align with guidance the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released, which provides flexibility to high deductible health plans to provide health benefits for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 without application of a deductible or cost-sharing. The FAQs can be found HERE.
CDC: Children and COVID-19: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released Tips to Keep Children Healthy while School's Out. You can view those tips HERE.
Updates from Emory Healthcare
• On March 16, Congressman Johnson held a telephone town hall on COVID-19.
• Emory hosted a live webinar with one of their foremost infectious disease experts, Dr. Colleen Kraft.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
What additional resources are available? Below are links to several resources. Emory Healthcare will continue to work with Congressman Johnson to provide updates as more details become available:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
• World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• Emory University COVID-19 Updates: http://www.emory.edu/coronavirus/
Resources in our community
Please see these additional Resources that were shared for families, the elderly and unemployed/underemployed workers:
• Electric Service/Bills: Georgia Power has suspended shutoffs until at least April 14.
• Free Access to High Speed Internet via Comcast | 1-855-846-8376.
• United Way/Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta – have partnered to create the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund 404-527-7200.
• Verizon pledges to keep customers connected during COVID-19.
• AARP is providing information and resources to help older people and caregivers protect themselves from the virus and prevent its spread.
• SBA Emergency Loans: Georgia is authorized to apply for these loans.
• Economic Injury Disaster Small Business Loan Program: Georgians are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loans.
Georgia Department of Health: The State of Georgia has a new COVID-19 hotline. If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, please contact your primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic. The department asks that you please not show up unannounced at an emergency room or health care facility. They have also established a hotline at: 844-442-2681.
Food Pantries for those in need
• Community Food Pantry — 7125, Turner Lake Circle, Covington, GA. 770-784-0037
• Willing Helpers Food Pantry — 8111 Brown Ridge Road, Covington, GA. 678-342-3434
• Covington First UMC — 113 Conyers Street, Covington, GA. 770-786-7305.
• Atlanta Food Bank — http://www.acfb.org or text FindFood to 888-976-2233.
• Overcomers House — 678-615-7714. http://www.myovercomershouse.com/
• Berean Christian Church. 770-593-4421. https://bereanchristianchurch.org/
• Rockdale County Emergency Relief Fund. 770-922-0165. https://www.rockdaleemergencyrelief.org/
• Covington First UMC. 770-786-7305. https://www.covingtonfirst.org/
• Conyers 7th Day Adv Church. 770-483-0764. https://www.conyerschurch.org/
• Emanuel Community Church. 678-413-3603. https://emmanuelconyers.com/
• Excel Christian Church. 678-712-5685. https://www.excelchurch.tv/