Headline News

COVID-19 News Updates for August 3, 2020

CORONAVIRUS (1)

Assistance for American Workers and Families

American Workforce Policy Advisory Board – Call to Action: The American Workforce Policy Advisory Board has released a call-to-action to help the millions of workers who need assistance now, and build the resilient and agile workforce of the future powered by skilled American workers. Specific actions:

Find Something New: FindSomethingNew.orgcan help workers of all ages and backgrounds identify the right path for their career goals by recommending multiple educational pathways, providing aptitude testing, offering a directory of critical resources for child care, food assistance, internet access and more. Educational pathways featured include online learning, professional certification programs, associate’s degrees, and vocational, technical and trades education.

Economic Impact Payments: The CARES Act provides for Economic Impact Payments to American households of up to $1,200 per adult for individuals whose income was less than $99,000 ( or $198,000 for joint filers) and $500 per child under 17 years old – or up to $3,400 for a family of four. More information can be found here.

Preserving Jobs for American Industry: The CARES Act offers meaningful financial support to American businesses and job creators so they can better support employees and be prepared to get back to business as soon as possible. More information can be found here.

Supporting Child Care: The CARES Act provided an additional $3.5 billion to the Child Care and Development Block Grant to support families with child care options during this public health crisis. Additional information and State-level information can be found here.

Dislocated Worker Grants: The U.S. Department of Labor is providing Dislocated Worker Grants to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19. State-by-State data and additional details can be found here.

Assistance for Communities

CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grants: The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA)is awarding CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grants to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. These grants are being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, which provides a wide-range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. For complete information, please visit the recently updated EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance page.

Opportunity Zones: Opportunity Zones were created under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on December 22, 2017, to stimulate economic development and job creation, by incentivizing long- term investments in low-income neighborhoods. During the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump directed the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council to focus on underserved communities impacted by the virus. For more information, visit opportunityzones.gov.

How to Help

Donate COVID-19 Plasma

Donate Blood

Donate Supplies and Equipment

Sell Supplies and Equipment

Developing Medical Countermeasures

Other Forms of Help

For additional information, please visit FEMA’s website: www.fema.gov/coronavirus/how-to-help.

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.

o   The Importance of Reopening America’s Schools this Fall

o   School Decision-Making Tool for Parents, Caregivers, and Guardians

o   Guidance for K-12 School Administrators on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings in Schools

o   Screening K-12 Students for Symptoms of COVID-19: Limitations and Considerations

o   Back to School Planning: Checklists to Guide Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers

o   FAQ for School Administrators on Reopening Schools

o   Washing Hands

o   Wearing Gloves

o   Wearing a Cloth Face Cover

o   Practicing Social Distancing

o   Cleaning and Sanitizing Toys and Child Care Programs

o   Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Homes

o   Staying Safe at Summer Camp

o   Staying Safe at Aquatic Venues

o   Dinning with Friends and Family with Higher Risk for Severe Illness

o   Visiting Friends and Family with Higher Risk for Severe Illness

o   Stopping the Spread of Germs

o   Considerations for Bars and Restaurants

o   Wear a Mask to Protect You and Your Friends

Operation Warp Speed

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White House Updates

Trump Administration Proposes to Expand Telehealth Benefits Permanently for Medicare Beneficiaries beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and Advances Access to Care in Rural Areas (HERE)

Readout from the SBA / Treasury Roundtable Discussion with Minority Depository Institutions (HERE)

In Coronavirus Economy, Trump Administration Pulling Out All Stops to Help Small Business: SBA Administrator (HERE)

Trump Administration Invests $462 Million to Modernize Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in Rural Communities (HERE)

HUD Awards over $74 Million in Grants to Support Affordable Rental Housing for Extremely Low-Income Persons with Disabilities (HERE)

U.S. Department of Labor Hosts Virtual Event to Encourage Recruiting, Retaining Veterans for Contractors and Community-Based Organizations (HERE)

FDA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Daily Roundup August 3, 2020 (HERE)

Made in America: EDA Accelerates U.S. Business Success through Trade Adjustment Assistance Programs, RLFs, Infrastructure, and More (HERE)

U.S. Department of Commerce Continues to Invest Cares Act Funding to Boost Economic Development Programs Critical to Helping Communities Respond to Coronavirus (HERE)

VA, America’s Adopt a Soldier Partner to Help Veterans at Risk of or Experiencing Homelessness Stay Connected (HERE)

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