The Coronavirus: What You Should Know

The best way to receive up-to-date coronavirus information from my office is to sign up for my regular email updates. Click here to subscribe.

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This page serves as a resource for western Pennsylvanians seeking more information on COVID-19. I want to ensure that you have the information you need as this situation develops.

Health Resources

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Pennsylvania Department of Health

Coronavirus Guidelines for Americans from the White House

Guidance from the White House Coronavirus Task Force

Legislative Resources

Continuous Updates from House Ways and Means Committee Republicans

• The committee set up a website that oulines legislative action to combat coronavirus and support workers and businesses.

Worker Resources

Workers who have been laid off in the wake of coronavirus are eligible for unemployment compensation

• File an Initital Unemployment Claim here.

Coronavirus Tax  Relief

• The Federal tax filing deadline has been postponed to July 15. This will not slow tax refunds however, so if you are owed money by the IRS, you are encouraged to file as soon as you are able.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue also postponed the state personal filing tax deadline to July 15.

U.S. Department of Labor Guidance on Paid Sick Leave

• When Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, it provided paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for all americans employed at businesses with fewer than 500 employees. More information on paid leave rights can be found on this Fact Sheet for Employees.

Business Resources

Governor Tom Wolf Has Ordered All Non-Life Sustaining Businesses to Close in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

• Click here for the list of essential and non-essential businesses as defined by the governor.
• The state has provided a waiver process: Waiver Process for Keeping Physical Locations Open Form.

**Note: the state has informed my office that businesses may not operate while they wait for a decision on their waiver application.

Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans are Now Available

• The SBA approved Pennsylvania's request for a disaster declaration, which made Economic Impact Disaster loans available to small businesses in our state. Visit these links for more information about the loan program and the three step process for aid.
• Apply for disaster assistance at this link.

Business Loans are Also Available through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

U.S. Department of Labor Guidance on Paid Sick Leave

• The Families First Coronavirus Response Act requires certain employers to provide paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.  More information on employer paid leave requirements is available on this Fact Sheet for Employers

Information on Coronavirus Related Scams

Be aware that criminals are attempting to exploit COVID-19 worldwide through a variety of scams.  There have been reports of:

• Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud.
• Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
• Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations.

The public is urged to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or by e-mailing the NCDF at disaster@leo.gov.

Additional Information:

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) COVID-19 Consumer Warnings and Safety Tips: https://www.fcc.gov/covid-scams
• FBI sees rise in fraud schemes related to COVID-19: https://www.ic3.gov/media/2020/200320.aspx
• Department of Justice (DOJ) COVID-19 Fraud: https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
• Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefit Suspension Scam: https://oig.ssa.gov/newsroom/news-releases/march20-advisory?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
• Federal Trade Commission ftc.gov/coronavirus

Periodic Updates from my Offices

I am sending regular updates with new information as it becomes available. Sign up for those newsletters here.

In case you missed them, updates sent previously are below.

March 4, 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update #1

March 9, 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update #2

March 11, 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update #3

March 12, 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update #4

March 17, 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update #5

March 19, 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update #6

March 23, 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update #7

April 1, 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19) update #8