Coronavirus Resources

As Americans across the country continue to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, I want to continue providing you with updated information on our national response. Scientists, doctors, local officials, and more are working around the clock to find treatments and cures, and address the effects of COVID-19 while also helping Americans move forward through these challenging times.

This page will be updated as information becomes available; however, I invite you to also follow my social media channels on Twitter and Facebook and sign up for my e-newsletter for more updates.

For resources regarding plasma donation, click here.

Economic Impact Payments

The CARES Act provides direct relief payments to most taxpayers, providing cash immediately to individuals and families. Individuals are eligible for checks up to $1,200 and married couples filing jointly are eligible for checks up to $2,400, with an extra $500 for each child. This phases out beginning at $75,000 for individuals/$112,500 head of household/$150,000 for joint filers. Eligibility will be based on 2018 and 2019 tax returns. For Social Security beneficiaries, including retirement and disability, eligibility will be based on information from the Social Security Administration. The IRS will post updates on the direct relief payments made available by the CARES Act here. Please continue to check the website for updates instead of calling the IRS.

Federal Resources

For up-to-date information, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a number of resources regarding COVID-19.

What you should know:

· Workplace, School, and Home Guidance

· People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19

· How COVID-19 Spreads

· Symptoms

· Steps to Prevent Illness

· Testing

· Frequently Asked Questions

· What to Do If You Are Sick with COVID-19

· What You Need to Know

· Facts about COVID-19

· Information for People at Higher Risk and Special Populations

Situation Updates:

· Situation Summary

· Cases in the U.S.

· Global Locations with COVID-19

· Risk Assessment

· CDC in Action: Preparing Communities

Information for Businesses:

· Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

· Information for Communities, Schools, and Businesses

· Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations – Community Facilities

· SBA: COVID-19 Resources

· DOT: COVID-19 Resources

· DOL: Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for Coronavirus

· DOL: OHSA Resources for Workers and Employers on COVID-19

· WHO: Get Your Workplace Ready for COVID-19

· CISA: Risk Management for COVID-19

· EPA: Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19

Information for Community Events and Gatherings:

· Interim Guidance for Mass Gatherings and Large Community Events

· Interim Guidance for Community- and Faith-Based Organizations

· EPA: Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19

Information for Families and Households:

· Information on COVID-19 for Pregnant Women and Children

· Interim Guidance for Household Readiness

· Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for U.S. Households

· Guidance for Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Homes and Residential Communities

· FAQ: COVID-19 and Children

· EPA: Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19

Information for Healthcare Providers, First Responders, and Research Facilities:

· Information for Healthcare Professionals

· Resources for State, Local, Territorial and Tribal Health Departments

· Resources for Healthcare Facilities

· Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with COVID-19 or Persons Under Investigation in Healthcare Settings

· Information for Laboratories

· Resources for First Responders

· Guidance for Public Health Professionals Managing People with COVID-19 in Home Care and Isolation Who Have Pets or Other Animals

· FAQs and Considerations for Patient Triage, Placement and Hospital Discharge

· What Law Enforcement Personnel Need to Know

· Guidance for Homeless Shelters

· Guidance for Hemodialysis Facilities

· CMS: Information on COVID-19 and Current Emergencies

· CMS: Guidance for Hospice Agencies

· CMS: Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act Requirements and Implications Related to COVID-19

· CMS: FAQs for State Survey Agency and Accrediting Organizations

· EPA: Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19

Information for Military Response:

· DOD: Department of Defense Coronavirus Response

Information for Schools and Childcare Providers:

· Interim Guidance for Administrators of U.S. Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools

· Resources for Institutes of Higher Education

· Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations – Community Facilities

· USDA: USDA Makes It Easier, Safer to Feed Children in California Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

· DOEd: Resources for Schools and School Personnel

Information for Travel and Transportation:

· Information for Travel

· Guidance for Ships

· Guidance for Airlines and Airline Crew

· State: Travel Advisories

· State: Traveler’s Checklist

· State: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

· DOT: FAQs from FTA Grantees Regarding COVID-19

Local Resources

The Ohio Department of Health has a number of resources regarding COVID-19, including a call center at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634) where you can speak with licensed nurses and infectious disease experts anytime between 9:00AM and 8:00PM daily.

State of Ohio COVID-19 Dashboard

Coping With COVID-19 Anxiety:

· Setting a New Routine COVID-19 Checklist

· Resources for Adults Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic

· National Institute of Mental Health: Coping With Coronavirus: Managing Stress, Fear, and Anxiety

· Child Mind Institute: Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus

· Wexner Medical Center: How to talk to your children about the coronavirus and ease their anxiety

· Family Activities to Try During COVID-19 Closures

· COVID-19 and Reducing Panic

· COVID-19 and Anxiety

· Kids and COVID-19

· Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event

· Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation

Health Alerts:

· Warning on Use of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine

How You Can Respond:

· Together Ohio

· Be Kind - Help guard against any COVID-19-associated stigma

· Resources for Adults Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic

· Lab testing for COVID-19

· Social Distancing: This is Not a Snow Day

· Working and Learning Online

· COVID-19 Community Spread

· When to Contact Your Provider

Latest Developments

· Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted Thank FDA for Approval of Use of Battelle Technology

· Governor DeWine Makes Plea to FDA; Releases List of Needed PPE

· Slides from 3/27 Press Conference

· Director’s Order to Close Facilities Providing Child Care Services

· Together Ohio

· Requests for our Federal Partners

· Public Health Orders

· Donate Blood - American Red Cross

· BMV Closures

· Find your local Health District

Resources for Economic Support:

· Individuals

o In demand jobs

o Unemployment

o Food, case, and medical assistance

o School meals

o Internet connection

o Existing DSA Programs

o Injured worker temporary telehealth policy

o Medicaid provisions for uninsured

o Maintaining Health care Coverage for families

o Assistance for Lost Insurance Coverage

o Utility Assistance

· Businesses and Nonprofits

o Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

o Liquor buyback

o Publicly-Funded Daycares

o The Ohio Department of Transportation

o Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

o Grace Period for Health Insurance Premiums

o Keeping Essential Good Moving

o Learn new tech skills

o Pay benefits for reduced work hours

· Layoff Alternatives

· Banking Updates

Resources for Local Health Districts, Local Governments, and Providers:

· For Healthcare Workers

o Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine Information for Providers and Public Health Officials

o Warning on Use of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine

o Guidance for COVID-19 Exposure Management

o Use of Ventilators and Other Respiratory Devices

o Emergency Preparedness in Long-Term Care Facilities

o Preserving Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

o Lab testing for COVID-19

o COVID-19 Information on Non-Essential Medical Procedures

o Social Distancing: This is Not a Snow Day

o Care for Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19

o Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure in a Healthcare Setting to Patients with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

o Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points

o World Health Organization Technical Guidance

o CDC Publications

· For Local Health Districts

o Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine Information for Providers and Public Health Officials

o Warning on Use of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine

o Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has been awarded in $15,620,977 in federal funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a result of the passage of the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. The funding is intended to be used to carry out surveillance, epidemiology, laboratory capacity, infection control, mitigation, communications, and other preparedness and response activities to combat the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Of the awarded amount, ODH will distribute nearly $10.2M to the state’s local health departments (LHDs) to provide services related to Coronavirus/COVID-19 monitoring, investigation, containment, and mitigation.

o State Funding Support for Local Health Departments The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is distributing $1,000,000 from various state funding sources to the state’s 113 local health departments (LHDs) to aid in the fight against Coronavirus/COVID-19. This funding will be used to assist LHDs in providing services related to Coronavirus/COVID-19 monitoring, investigation, containment, and mitigation.

o Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program $15.6M – Awaiting federal guidance from CDC – this is the funding that was in the first federal supplemental passed last week: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/03/11/cdc-funding-information.htm

o Lab testing for COVID-19

o CDC Information and Guidance About Global Travel on Cruise Ships, Including River Cruises, Due to COVID-19: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2020/han00430.asp]

o ODH Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Resource Management

o CDC Updated Guidance on Evaluating and Testing Persons for COVID-19: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2020/han00429.asp

o ODH Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Evaluation and Risk Assessment

o CDC Update and Interim Guidance on Outbreak of COVID-19: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2020/han00428.asp

o Social Distancing: This is Not a Snow Day

o COVID-19 Guidance for Primary Care and Outpatient Providers

o CDC Interim Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of People with Potential 2019 Novel Coronavirus Exposure in Travel or Community Settings

o World Health Organization Technical Guidance

o CDC Publications

· Local Government (Counties, Cities, Townships, Villages, etc.)

o Ohio Emergency Operations Center Local governments should connect with their local county emergency management agency should they need resources, have questions, and to stay connected to the event. County emergency management agencies coordinate with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and can request support as needed. The Ohio Emergency Management Agency also provides information and resources on their website at https://ema.ohio.gov/

o A federal emergency disaster was declared on March 13, 2020 which opened up the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program to Ohio’s local governments, state agencies, and eligible nonprofit organizations responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ohio Emergency Management Agency administers this program for the state, and more information can be found by logging on: https://ema.ohio.gov/Recovery_covid19.aspx

o The Supreme Court of Ohio is announcing a special one-time funding opportunity focused on the purchase of equipment necessary to quickly facilitate remote access for local courts. This funding opportunity is due to the emergency need caused by the COVID-19 pandemic:http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/grants/remoteTechnology/default.asp

Stay At Home Information

· Essential Travel COVID-19 Checklist

· Protecting Children COVID-19 Checklist

· Staying Safe at Home

· Director’s Order to Stay at Home

Latest Congressional Action

On March 27, the House passed, and the President signed into law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which sends direct aid to families, workers, and business across the nation.

You can find more detailed analyses of the CARES Act:

· Tax provisions

· Health provisions

· Unemployment provisions

· Small business provisions

· Section-by-section summary

· Topline Points

· Full bill text

· FAQ on the CARES Act

· FAQ on the CARES Act 2