Guidelines for Opening Up America Again

President Trump has unveiled Guidelines for Opening Up America Again, a three-phased approach based on the advice of public health experts. These steps will help state and local officials when reopening their economies, getting people back to work, and continuing to protect American lives. Please click here for more information: Guidelines for Opening Up America Again

• Testing Overview (HERE)
• Testing Blueprint (HERE)
• Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools and Homes (HERE)
• CDC guidance for Camps, Child Care Programs, Schools, Mass Transit, Restaurants And Bars, and Workplaces
• CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Plan for Opening America Up Again (HERE)

White House COVID-19 Updates

• Executive Order on Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery (HERE)
• President Trump Holds a Cabinet Meeting (VIDEO)
• President Trump Delivers Remarks on Supporting our Nation’s Farmers, Ranchers, and Food Supply Chain (REMARKS, VIDEO)
• Remarks by President Trump After Senate GOP Policy Lunch | U.S. Capitol (HERE)
• Vice President Pence Chairs the 7th Meeting of the National Space Council (REMARKS, VIDEO)
• Second Lady Karen Pence Highlights Mental Health Awareness at Great Smoky Mountain National Park Second Phase Reopening (HERE)
• Daily 1600: Read President Trump’s letter to the WHO (HERE)

USDA Announces Details of Direct Assistance to Farmers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (HERE)

• U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to this direct support to farmers and ranchers, USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program is partnering with regional and local distributors, whose workforces have been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities, to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat and deliver boxes to Americans in need.

Treasury is Delivering Millions of Economic Impact Payments by Prepaid Debit Card (HERE)

• This week, Treasury and the IRS are starting to send nearly 4 million Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) by prepaid debit card, instead of by paper check.

Testimony by Chair Powell on the Federal Reserve’s Response to the Coronavirus and the CARES Act (HERE)

• The Federal Reserve’s response to this extraordinary period has been guided by our mandate to promote maximum employment and stable prices for the American people, along with our responsibilities to promote stability of the financial system. We are committed to using our full range of tools to support the economy in this challenging time even as we recognize that these actions are only a part of a broader public-sector response.

Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce (HERE)

• CISA’s Identifying Critical Infrastructure During COVID-19 guidance and accompanying list are intended to support state, local, and industry partners in identifying the critical infrastructure sectors and the essential workers. CISA issued the guidance originally on March 19 and has continued to update it based on feedback from the Critical Infrastructure community.  The most recent update on May 19, provides clarity around many individual worker categories and updated language to better reflect terminology used in food and agriculture industries.

Acting Secretary Wolf’s Statement on the Extension of Title 42 (HERE)

• Today, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended Title 42 public health restrictions at the borders until he determines the serious danger from COVID-19 has ceased. This order has been one of the most critical tools the Department has used to prevent the further spread of the virus and to protect the American people, DHS frontline officers, and those in their care and custody from COVID-19.

Acting Secretary Wolf’s Statement on Non-Essential Travel (HERE)

• As I have repeatedly stated – border security is homeland security. Our efforts over the last several months to limit non-essential travel have been successful and now is not the time to change course. The President has made it clear that we must continue to keep legitimate, commercial trade flowing while limiting those seeking to enter our country for non-essential purposes. Non-essential travel will not be permitted until this administration is convinced that doing so is safe and secure.

FDA Collaborations Promote Rigorous Analyses of Real-World Data to Inform Pandemic Response (HERE)

• Today, we are announcing another step in our effort to harness diverse streams of data to understand and respond to COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has entered into an agreement with Aetion to collaborate on advanced analytical techniques to answer urgent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) research questions. 
  • FDA Daily Roundup – May 18, 2020 (HERE)

HHS, Industry Partners Expand U.S.-Based Pharmaceutical Manufacturing for COVID-19 Response (HERE)

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will work with a team of private industry partners led by Phlow Corporation of Richmond, Virginia, to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing in the United States for use in producing medicines needed during the COVID-19 response and future public health emergencies.

HHS Delivers Funding to Expand Testing Capacity for States, Territories, Tribes (HERE)

• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is delivering $11 billion in new funding to support testing for COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide $10.25 billion to states, territories, and local jurisdictions through CDC’s existing Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) cooperative agreement.

U.S. Statement on Taiwan’s Participation at the World Health Assembly (HERE)

• The United States is deeply disappointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) decision to exclude Taiwan from the World Health Assembly (WHA).

NIH-Funded Study to Investigate Pregnancy Outcomes Resulting From COVID-19 Pandemic (HERE)

• The National Institutes of Health has launched a multipronged study to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic during and after pregnancy.

Trump Administration Issues Guidance to Ensure States Have a Plan in Place to Safely Reopen Nursing Homes (HERE)

• Today, under the leadership of President Trump, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new guidance for state and local officials to ensure the safe reopening of nursing homes across the country. 
  •   CMS News Alert – May 19, 2020 (HERE)

COVID-19 Pandemic: Supply Chain Expansion Line of Effort (HERE)

• Manufacturing expansion is one part of a four-pronged supply chain stabilization approach for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic response. The expansion line of effort is focused on increasing manufacturing production capacity of critical medical supplies and equipment needed to defeat the pandemic and make our Nation stronger and better prepared for future needs.

U.S. Department of Labor Adopts Revised Enforcement Policies for Coronavirus (HERE)

• The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has adopted revised policies for enforcing OSHA’s requirements with respect to coronavirus as economies reopen in states throughout the country.

U.S. Department of Labor Offers Fraud Prevention Resources to Enhance Integrity of Unemployment Insurance Programs (HERE)

• The U.S. Department of Labor today has released updated resources for employers, employees, and states to prevent fraud or misuse in the unemployment insurance system, including the new unemployment insurance programs under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Availability of $11.5 Million in Worker Safety and Health Training Grants (HERE)

• The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced the availability of $11.5 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants for nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based organizations, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, Indian tribes, and colleges and universities.

U.S. Department of Labor Offers Fraud Prevention Resources to Enhance Integrity of Unemployment Insurance Programs (HERE)

• The U.S. Department of Labor today has released updated resources for employers, employees, and states to prevent fraud or misuse in the unemployment insurance system, including the new unemployment insurance programs under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Op-Ed by Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross: 3 Factors Why This Economic Bounceback Won’t Mirror 2008 (HERE)

• “The temporary, but severe economic pain brought about by the response to COVID-19 has had a purpose: the sacrifices being made by our workers, families, and businesses are helping to slow the spread of this invisible enemy and save countless lives. But as we look toward the safe reopening of our country, I am confident that the American spirit remains resolute and that our economy has a firm foundation for a rapid rebound”

Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 While Serving Migratory Children (HERE)

• The U.S. Department of Education (Department) understands that, during this COVID-19 national emergency, State educational agencies (SEAs) and local operating agencies (LOAs) may be experiencing challenges in conducting Title I, Part C – Migrant Education Program (MEP) activities in the same manner they are typically conducted.

Texas Man Charged with $5 Million COVID-Relief Fraud (HERE)

• A Texas man has been charged in the Eastern District of Texas with allegedly filing bank loan applications fraudulently seeking more than $5 million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Spangdahlem Firefighters Tame the COVID-19 Flames (HERE)

• With fire and emergency services holding the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services Flight is staying mission-ready by implementing new safety measures to keep members safe while training and responding to calls at a moment’s notice.

Sailors Keep Skills Sharp During COVID-19 (HERE)

• With or without the COVID-19 pandemic, the station’s security forces need to be able to respond to any emergency.

Army Corps of Engineers Helps Montana Prepare for COVID-19 Future (HERE)

• In the three and a half months since the first COVID-19 case was diagnosed in the United States, Montana continues to have the second-lowest number of total cases and the lowest number of cases per capita of any state in the country. Those low numbers did not stop the state’s leaders from enlisting the Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District to prepare for the future fight against the virus.

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

• COVID-19 By The Numbers
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Whole-of-America Response

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