COVID-19 News Updates for April 9, 2020:

 

30 Days to Slow the Spread

President Trump announced updated guidelines to continue slowing the spread of Coronavirus in America. This 30-day window will be crucial: If every American does his or her part, the latest model suggests we could save 1 million or more U.S. lives. Please click here for more information: 30 Days to Slow the Spread (Español)

If you are a healthcare worker and would like to volunteer to assist in New York City, please find more information here.

White House COVID-19 Updates

·         President Trump and Members of the Coronavirus Task Force Hold a Press Briefing (VIDEO)

·         President Trump Approves Disaster Declaration for Alaska and Idaho

·         Readout of First Lady Melania Trump’s Call with Mrs. Akie Abe of Japan (HERE)

·         Daily 1600 – Voice of America Spends Your Money to Speak for Authoritarian Regimes (HERE)

·         Adams and Verma: Telehealth Plays Big Role in Coronavirus Cure (HERE)

 

Federal Reserve Takes Additional Actions to Provide Up To $2.3 Trillion in Loans to Support the Economy (HERE)

·         The Federal Reserve on Thursday took additional actions to provide up to $2.3 trillion in loans to support the economy. This funding will assist households and employers of all sizes and bolster the ability of state and local governments to deliver critical services during the coronavirus pandemic.

Federal Bank Regulators Issue Interim Final Rule for Paycheck Protection Program Facility (HERE)

·         The federal bank regulatory agencies today announced an interim final rule to encourage lending to small businesses through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP. The interim final rule modifies the agencies’ capital rules to neutralize the regulatory capital effects of participating in the Federal Reserve’s PPP facility because there is no credit or market risk in association with PPP loans pledged to the facility.

 Treasury and IRS Extend Over 300 Tax Filing, Payment and Administrative Deadlines (HERE)

·         The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today announced they are extending the deadline for many administrative acts under the tax law as well as the tax filing and payment deadlines for fiscal year businesses, tax-exempt organizations and certain estates and trusts.

Treasury Underscores Commitment to Global Flow of Humanitarian Aid in Face of COVID-19 Pandemic (HERE)

·         The Department of the Treasury stands with governments and citizens around the world in the global war against the COVID-19 global pandemic. The United States is committed to ensuring the international flow of humanitarian aid continues through legitimate and transparent channels.

OCR Announces Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Community-Based Testing Sites During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency (HERE)

·         Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS announced that it will exercise its enforcement discretion and will not impose penalties for violations of the HIPAA Rules against covered entities or business associates in connection with the good faith participation in the operation of COVID-19 testing sites during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency.

Interim Guidance for Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Con­firmed COVID-19 (HERE)

·         To ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, CDC advises that critical infrastructure workers may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the community.

FDA Issues Best Practices on Safe Food Handling and Employee Health in Retail Food Settings (HERE)

·         Today, the FDA issued information and best practices for retail food stores, restaurants, and pick-up and delivery services during the pandemic to protect workers and customers.

NIH Clinical Trial of Hydroxychloroquine, a Potential Therapy for COVID-19, Begins (HERE)

·         A clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 has begun, with the first participants now enrolled in Tennessee.

FEMA Announces Rent Suspension (HERE)

·         This temporary suspension eases the financial burden on disaster survivors in California, Florida, North Carolina and Texas due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension applies to rent only; rent collection is expected to resume July 1.

CISA: Trusted Internet Connections 3.0 Interim Telework Guidance (HERE)

·         As federal civilian agencies respond to the COVID-19 situation, the number of federal agency employees working remotely has increased dramatically. In order to support agencies as they respond to this surge in teleworking, CISA is issuing this interim Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) guidance1 to help agencies leverage existing resources to secure their networks.

Secretary DeVos Rapidly Delivers More Than $6 Billion in Emergency Cash Grants for College Students Impacted by Coronavirus Outbreak (HERE)

·         Secretary DeVos announced today more than $6 billion will be distributed immediately to colleges and universities to provide direct emergency cash grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak.

FAQs Related to the Use of Grant Funds from the U.S. Department of Education (HERE)

·         This fact sheet responds to frequently asked questions related to the use of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Education during the novel COVID-19 with respect to compensation, travel, and conference costs that are otherwise allowable costs under applicable program statutes and regulations.

USDA Launches New Program to Feed Kids in Michigan (HERE)

·         Secretary Perdue today announced the first state, Michigan, has been approved to operate Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer, a new program authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Act, signed by President Trump, which provides assistance to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals dealing with school closures.

USDA Announces Loan Maturity for Marketing Assistance Loans Now Extended to 12 Months (HERE)

·         Agricultural producers now have more time to repay Marketing Assistance Loans as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020. The loans now mature at 12 months rather than nine, and this flexibility is available for most commodities. (HERE)

·         This waiver is in response to COVID-19 outbreaks and the immediate risk they present to public health, safety, and welfare. A number of States are experiencing greater than normal employee absences or have closed offices of their State Driver Licensing Agencies in response to the guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to use social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

OSHA: COVID-19 Guidance for Retail Workers (HERE)

·         OSHA is committed to protecting the health and safety of America’s workers and workplaces during these unprecedented times. The agency will be issuing a series of industry-specific alerts designed to help employers keep workers safe. If you are an employer in the retail industry (e.g., pharmacies, supermarkets, and big box stores), these tips can help reduce your employees’ risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

Statement by Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia on Unemployment Insurance Claims (HERE)

·         “Today’s report continues to reflect the purposeful sacrifice being made by America’s workers and their families to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The Trump Administration is swiftly implementing the historic relief program the President signed into law last month, providing unprecedented support to American workers and small businesses during these challenging times.”

EPA’s New England Region Transfers Personal Protective Equipment to Federal Emergency Management Agency (HERE)

·         Today, the EPA New England regional office announced that it has transferred more than 11,500 pieces of personal protective equipment to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be distributed to state and local agencies across New England battling COVID-19.

 Corps of Engineers Makes Way for Thousands of Hospital Beds (HERE)

·         The Army Corps of Engineers is making significant progress in providing thousands of hospital beds for the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic in facilities built to handle patients with and without the virus.

Corps of Engineers Rapidly Assessing, Building Hospital Spaces (HERE)

·         At the request of mayors and governors from multiple states and territories, Army Corps of Engineers personnel are assessing or building structures for both non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 hospitals.

DOD Ramps Up COVID-19 Response Efforts From Coast to Coast (HERE)

·         The coronavirus pandemic is slowing down a lot of things, but not the Defense Department’s medical apparatus, which is now operating from coast to coast to bring its medical expertise and capacity to bear on the medical crisis around the nation.

Guardsmen Remain Adaptable in Face of Coronavirus (HERE)

·         More than 28,000 National Guardsmen are helping to fight the coronavirus across America, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said.

Mobility Airmen Transport Medics, Supplies in COVID-19 Fight (HERE)

·         Air Force Reserve mobility airmen from California answered an urgent request to deploy medical personnel to New York to help combat COVID-19.

 Despite COVID-19, U.S. Military Remains Ready to Fight (HERE)

·         The Defense Department is doing a lot to combat the spread of COVID-19 across the nation, but its primary mission — the defense of the nation and its interests — continues unabated, Deputy Defense Secretary David L. Norquist said.

For the most up-to-date information, please see the CDC’s website: www.coronavirus.gov.

 

 

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