Welcome
Families First COVID-19 Resource Guide
I believe Americans deserve a coordinated, comprehensive, whole-of-government response to prepare for the spread of coronavirus. Our collective first priority must be public safety, and we must govern responsibly to meet the challenges facing our nation and its public health. Click here to learn more about the coronavirus, including tips for how you can stay safe.
I want you to know that my office is working with the local, state, and federal public health officials to assess our preparedness and ensure that we have the resources necessary to meet this challenge head-on. As always, my office is here to assist you with any questions, concerns, or issues you may be facing with federal agencies, and we will continue to share information with you as it becomes available. To receive more updates directly to your inbox, you can subscribe to my newsletter here.
Below are some important reminders from local public health officials, the State of California, and the Centers for Disease Control on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus. CDC en Español link here.
Legislative Updates
On March 6th, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act was enacted, providing $8.3 billion in emergency funds for prevention, preparedness, and response efforts; for the development of treatments and a vaccine; and for low interest SBA loans to support small businesses that have been affected.
On March 18th, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law. This legislation aims to take away economic disincentives for doing the right things to help stop the spread of the virus. It ensures that testing for coronavirus is free, provides for emergency paid sick leave and paid family leave so workers can stay home instead of putting their co-workers at risk; and ensures that school meals remain available for children whose schools closed because of coronavirus.
On March 27th, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted to provide further economic assistance to families facing lost income and industry sectors whose employees are bearing the brunt of this public health crisis, including direct payments to families, expanded unemployment assistance, and help for small businesses to retain their workers.
On April 24th, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act was signed into law to provide additional emergency small business relief and funding for hospitals, health care workers, and testing.
On May 15th, House Democrats passed the Heroes Act, legislation to honor the personnel on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic by providing critical funding for state, local, and tribal governments; establishing hazard pay fund for essential workers; supporting testing and contact tracing measures while also ensuring Americans can access free treatment; providing an additional round of economic impact payments for families, and other priority measures to protect Americans and their families during this crisis.
For more information on how these bills are providing relief to families and workers across the country, visit here.
Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control:
Do your part to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Follow these guidelines to help slow the spread:
- Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
- If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
- If your children are sick, keep them at home. Do not send them to school. Contact your medical provider.
- If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.
- If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.
- If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk. Stay home and away from other people.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- 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.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Experts have been working hard to understand this new strain of the coronavirus. Because new information is coming out every day, please visit the CDC's website to stay up to date.
Travel Recommendations
Traveling during the COVID-19 outbreak should be avoided as much as possible, particularly international travel. If you absolutely need to travel and are unsure what to do, visit the State Department’s website for more information.
If you are stuck overseas and having trouble getting assistance from the U.S., there are several important things you should do.
- Register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
- Complete this privacy release for assistance from my office and email it to huffman.cascheduling@mail.house.gov.
- Remain in possession of your U.S. passport
- Adhere to local laws
- Shelter in place
On March 11, the president signed a proclamation suspending certain travel to and from Europe. Additional guidance and updates on travel for U.S. citizens and non-citizens can be found here.
The CDC recommends travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China, South Korea, Iran and most of Europe.
While these recommendations are in place, it is important to also work together to eliminate the stigma and misinformation surrounding coronavirus that is affecting the Asian American community. The Asian American community is not at a higher risk of getting or spreading COVID-19.
State and County Resources
Marin
https://www.marinhhs.org/coronavirus/
Public number: (415) 473-4163
Sonoma
http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Health/Information-About-Coronavirus/
Public number: (707) 565-4567
Mendocino
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/government/health-and-human-services-agency/public-health
Public number: (707)-472-2600
Humboldt
https://humboldtgov.org/2018/Humboldt-Health-Alert
Public number: (707)445-6200
Trinity
https://www.trinitycounty.org/communicable-disease
Public number: (530)623-1265
Del Norte
http://www.co.del-norte.ca.us/departments/health-human-services/public-health
Public number: (707) 464-0861