I am taking the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency very seriously. Keeping our community safe and healthy is of the utmost priority to me.
COVID-19 VACCINE REGISTRATION INFORMATION
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Congress has enacted several critical pieces of legislation as the first immediate steps with more action to come:
- $8.3 Billion Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Bill that was signed into law on March 6. This robust package provides over $3 billion for vaccine development; $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response; nearly $1 billion for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and to improve medical surge capacity; $435 million to support health systems overseas to prevent, prepare, and respond to the coronavirus; $300 million to respond to humanitarian needs; $61 million to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions; and allows for nearly $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses.
- The Families First Coronavirus Response Act strengthens assistance for Americans in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Signed into law on March 18, this bill widely expands free coronavirus testing, promotes food security for vulnerable populations impacted by the outbreak, provides for paid sick leave for employees, and establishes tax credits for businesses to provide continued worker support.
- The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act - a robust $2 trillion emergency bill providing health and economic stabilization from the coronavirus that was signed into law on March 27. The bipartisan stimulus bill provides: Direct Cash Payments to Lower and Middle-Income Americans; $200 Billion for Our Hospitals, Health Care Workers, and Health Research; $375 Billion in Small Business Relief; $150 Billion State and Local Coronavirus Relief Fund; and $100 Billion in Additional Emergency Appropriations: for transit agencies, child care and development block grants, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Election Assistance, HUD Emergency grants and State and Local Government grants.
- The Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act provides: $310 billion in additional funding for PPP loans, including $30 billion set aside for mid-sized banks and $30 billion set aside for small banks and CDFIs;$75 billion for hospitals and frontline healthcare workers, including for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); and $25 billion for testing, which is the key to reopening the economy and resuming our lives. This includes the establishment of a national testing strategy to fully understand the virus and its movements.
Additionally, I have:
- Launched the Thirteenth Congressional District COVID-19 Resource Guide;
- Hosted a Telephone Town Hall on Coronavirus with Mr. Ashley Bell, White House Policy Advisor on Entrepreneurship and Innovation and U.S. Small Business Administration Southeast Regional Administrator; Commissioner Mark Butler, Georgia Department of Labor; Dr. Colleen Kraft, Emory University Hospital Chief Medical Officer and Georgia Coronavirus Task Force Member; and Ms. Dayna Vidal, Licensed Registered Nurse and National Association for Healthcare Quality Certified Professional.
- Introduced the State Housing Relief Act to establish a $35 billion Housing Assistance Fund to help struggling homeowners impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The bill calls for funding to all 50 states and the U.S. territories to give homeowners relief in the form of: mortgage payment assistance, principal reduction, mortgage reinstatement after forbearance, utility payment assistance, and other activities currently permissible under a state’s Hardest Hit Fund Program.
- Advocated strongly for an immediate, nationwide moratorium on all foreclosures and evictions from properties owned, insured, or overseen by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, and Agriculture;
- Called for the reauthorization of the Hardest Hit Fund Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program; and
- Sent letters to the Administration in defense of some of the most vulnerable populations hit hard by this outbreak, including patients receiving hospice and palliative care and Transportation Security Officers at the world's busiest airport.
- Provided two free COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing and Food Distribution events at Mundy's Mill High School in Jonesboro and Word of Faith Cathedral in Austell. Participants included the Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services, Family Health Centers of Georgia, Cobb and Douglas Public Health, CORE, Atlanta Community Food Bank, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Georgia Association of Broadcasters and Urban League of Greater Atlanta.
- Organized a critical Telephone Town Hall on the latest updates on the COVID-19 Vaccine, along with Dr. Colleen Kelley, Associate Professor at the Emory University School of Medicine - Division of Infectious Diseases & Principal Investigator for Moderna's Vaccine Trial; Dr. Jeffrey Hines, Medical Director with Wellstar Health System's Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity; Dr. Janet Memark, District Health Director for Cobb & Douglas Public Health; Dr. Sudha Reddy, Emergency Services Physician with Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services; and Dr. Lynn Paxton, District Health Director for Fulton County Board of Health.
Our offices remain closed to the public to help mitigate the risk of exposure to the coronavirus for our staff and constituents. All of our offices, including Smyrna (770-432-5405), Jonesboro (770-210-5073), and Washington, D.C. (202-225-2939), will continue to serve constituents by answering calls, emails and online requests for assistance.
Please call on us if we can help you and be sure to take a look at the important information below on how you can keep your family safe, healthy and prepared.
Georgia COVID-19 Hotline: (844) 442-2681
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Georgia Department of Public Health
Emory Healthcare Guide to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
Georgia COVID-19 Emotional Support Line: (866) 399-8938
COVID-19 Testing - Direct Patient Line
Clayton County Health District | www.claytoncountypublichealth.org | 678-479-2223
Cobb/Douglas Health District | www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org | 770-514-2300
Fayette/Henry District | www.district4health.org | 1-800-847-4262
Fulton County Board of Health | www.fultoncountygahealth.org | 404-613-8150
Federal Resources
Agriculture Resources During COVID-19 Outbreak
CDC Travel Warnings
Emergency Paid Sick Leave
Fannie Mae Mortgage Help
Federal Student Loan Payments and Interest Suspended
Freddie Mac Homeowners Assistance
HUD Suspends all Foreclosure & Evictions for the next 60 days
IRS Delays Tax Payments Due to COVID-19 Outbreak
Medicare Coverage & Payment Related to COVID-19
Passport Operations in Response to COVID-19
SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Georgia Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus
Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans COVID FAQs
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act | Federal Assistance for Independent Contractors
Social Security & Coronavirus | Social Security Offices Will Only Offer Phone Service
Testing Coverage in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Unemployment Insurance and COVID-19 | Unemployment Provisions in the CARES Act
U.S. Census 2020
USCIS Offices Temporarily Closed to the Public
VA Resources for Veterans During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Prevention
Anyone can become sick from this virus, regardless of their race or ethnicity. People who have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or people who live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread are at an increased risk of exposure. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The CDC recommends simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. These include:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Use videoconference/telephone for meetings when possibleWhen using technology for communication is not possible, consider meeting in open, well-ventilated spaces.
- The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
If you are or a member of your family is sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:
- Avoid public areas.
- Stay home when you are sick, except to receive medical care. Call ahead if you have a medical appointment.
- Give sick family members their own room, if possible.
- Avoid sharing common household items with someone thought to be sick.
- Limit contact with pets and animals
- Monitor your symptoms regularly for progression or decline.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, including door knobs, tables, desks, and handrails.
- Limit food sharing and ensure proper cleaning of utensils, dishes, and ingredients before and after usage.
Symptoms
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Treatment
There is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 can seek medical care to help relieve symptoms. If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 or experience the symptoms listed above, then contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Local Resources
Clayton County Public Health Department
Cobb and Douglas Public Health Department
Fayette County Health Department
Fulton County Health Department
Henry County Health Department
GA-13 School Meal Distribution Sites
Clayton County Public Schools Grab-n-Go Meal Services
Cobb County Public Schools & MUST Ministries
Douglas County Public Schools Drive-Thru Meal Service
Fayette County Public Schools Emergency Meal Service
Fulton County Public Schools Food Distribution Sites
Henry County Public Schools Meal Pick Up Service
Food Assistance
Atlanta Community Food Bank - Food Pantry Map Locator or text “FOODFIND to 1-888-976-2232 to find a pantry near you.
American Red Cross Blood Donation Drive
The American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. As a nation, this is a time where we must take care of one another including those most vulnerable among us. If you are healthy and feeling well, please make an appointment now to donate in the days ahead by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Companies Adjusting Payments
Allstate Insurance
Atlanta Gas Light
AT&T
Bank of America Mortgage Payment Assistance
Charter Communications - Call 1-844-488-8395
Clayton County Water Authority
Comcast Cable
Georgia Power
Verizon
