Rep. Greg Walden COVID-19 info update for April 13

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., released an update on COVID-19 for Monday, April 13.

The latest on the coronavirus:

Help is On The Way

As soon as the middle of April, most Americans will receive a payment of $1,200 per individual, $2,400 per couple, and $500 per child directly to their bank account via direct deposit thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

Expanding Connectivity

Starting today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will begin accepting applications for the $200 million COVID-19 Telehealth Program.  The funds will help healthcare providers purchase the connectivity and devices they need to care for patients remotely in response to COVID-19.  More here.

NIH Begins New Study:

NIH has begun recruiting for a new study to quantify undetected cases of COVID-19.  In this “serosurvey,” researchers will collect and analyze blood samples from as many as 10,000 volunteers to provide critical data for epidemiological models, helping to illuminate the extent to which the virus has spread undetected in the United States.  People interested in joining this study should contact clinicalstudiesunit@nih.gov. 

Clinical trial information is here. 

More Funding for Oregon:

The first $30 billion in funding for hospitals and health care providers that was included in the CARES Act was delivered. This resulted in $291 million for Oregon. As part of the CARES Act, there is still $70 billion to be disbursed to hospitals and health care providers in order to combat the effects of COVID-19. Read more here.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded over $23 million to Community Health Centers in Oregon, including 11 in the Second District. Read more here. 

The CDC also awarded $2.6 million to Oregon to support the COVID-19 response. The funding awarded will support numerous activities including lab equipment, supplies, staffing, shipping, infection control, surge staffing, monitoring of individuals, and data management. The funding will also support the Emerging Infections Program (EIP) to enhance surveillance capacities.

Mitigating the Spread:

CDC is advising the use of simple cloth masks to slow the spread of the virus. Surgical and N95 masks should be reserved for health care workers. Learn more here.
 

Application Now Open for Paycheck Protection Program:

Businesses can now apply through their local lender for the Paycheck Protection Loan Program that will provide  businesses with up to eight weeks of funding to keep employees on the payroll. The Treasury Department released useful information for lenders and borrowers, and a copy of the application here.

As of Saturday night: 

• More than 800,000 loans have been distributed to small businesses
• More than $200 billion in loans have been processed 
• Nearly 4,500 lenders have participated
• The program is also estimated to have saved over 15 million jobs

Checks for Social Security Recipients:

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that Social Security recipients who do not normally file tax returns will automatically receive their coronavirus relief checks. Additionally, he said they will not have to file tax returns to receive their checks. Read more here.

Watch out for COVID-19 Scams:

Both the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission are reporting a spike in coronavirus related scams including home testing kits, fake cures, and other malicious attempts to prey on COVID-19 fears. Read more here.

Resources to Know and Share: Here are some helpful resources and information on COVID-19.

Helpful Resources on PPE:

CDC updated the PPE Burn Rate Calculator, a spreadsheet-based model that will help health care facilities plan and optimize the use of PPE for response to COVID-19.  More here.

You can now see PPE shipments to Oregon counties here.

ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE
If you’re a lender, more information can be found HERE
If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE
The application for borrowers can be found HERE

Other resources on the Paycheck Protection Program:

• Coronavirus.gov Small Business Resources Page
• Treasury Department Overview On The Paycheck Protection Program
• SBA.gov/Coronavirus Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources Page

INFORMATION FOR AMERICANS ABROAD:

The State Department has repatriated over 25,000 Americans from 52 countries.

The State Department is making efforts to bring home Americans, including through commercial flights, chartered flights, and military transport.  Any American abroad who needs assistance should contact their local U.S. embassy and register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), available here or by calling 1-888-407-4747.

If you decide to travel abroad or are already outside the United States:

• Consider returning to your country of residence immediately using whatever commercial means are available.
• Have a travel plan that does not rely on the U.S. Government for assistance.
• Review and follow the CDC’s guidelines for the prevention of coronavirus.
• Check with your airline, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
• Visit travel.state.gov to view individual Travel Advisories for the most urgent threats to safety and security.
• Visit Embassy webpages on COVID-19 for information on conditions in each country or jurisdiction.
• Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United  States

ASSISTANCE FROM HHS AND FEMA:

HHS and FEMA have fielded many requests to assist or partner with the Federal Government in response to the COVID pandemic.

• Organizations or individuals seeking to contract with the federal government to import or manufacture medical products to aid the U.S. response submit information to FEMA through a Request for Proposal, available here.
• Organizations or individuals that wish to donate medical supplies or equipment can submit that information here.
• Other inquiries from organizations or individuals, including individuals who want to volunteer or organizations that want to produce a product related to the COVID response, among other inquiries, can be referred to https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/how-to-help. 

How to schedule a blood donation appointment:

• Visit RedCrossBlood.org. Click on “Schedule an Appointment” under the “Donate Blood” tab. From there you can enter your zip code to find a blood drive near you.
• Red Cross Blood Donor App
• Call 1-800-RED-CROSS
• Use Amazon Alexa Blood Scheduling Skill