Coronavirus (COVID-19)
However, if this is an immediate medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
If you have the time or resources to help others during this crisis, click here.
Vaccines
San Antonio: For vaccine information including testing sites, availability, and eligibility please visit: https://covid19.sanantonio.gov/
Austin and Travis County: Please visit https://www.austintexas.gov/covid19-vaccines for up to date information regarding vaccines in Travis County.
- Register for the vaccine with Austin Public Health: https://covid19.austintexas.gov or call 311.
Bexar County: For more information, click here.
Comal County: For more information, click here.
Hays County: Please visit https://hayscountytx.com/covid-19 for up to date Covid-19 vaccination information.
Caldwell County: For information on vaccinations in Caldwell County please visit: https://www.caldwellcountync.org/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccinations
Veterans can contact their local VA clinic for details.
- Austin: Vaccine appointments for the Austin VA Outpatient Clinic are currently Available for eligible veterans, their spouses, and their caregivers. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-423-2111
- You can visit https://www.va.gov/central-texas-health-care/locations/austin-va-clinic/ for more information.
- You can visit https://www.va.gov/central-texas-health-care/locations/austin-va-clinic/ for more information.
- San Antonio: South Texas Veterans Health Care System enrolled Veterans can schedule an appointment for vaccination at the Balcones Heights Clinic by calling 210-949-9705.
- Enroll in South Texas VA Healthcare here: https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction or call 800-698-2411.
- Visit https://www.va.gov/south-texas-health-care/ for more information
CVS Pharmacy has begun distributing the vaccine in Central Texas. The vaccine is free and is available to all who are eligible. To schedule an appointment with CVS, visit: https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
To find comprehensive vaccination information for the United States visit https://www.vaccines.gov/
Federal Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
For current information regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
For current information on coronavirus tax relief, please visit the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) website.
Travel Advisory Information
For current travel advisory information related to the coronavirus visit the CDC's website, or for more general information about international travel, visit the U.S. Department of State's website.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
For veterans seeking public health information related to the coronavirus, visit the Veterans Affairs' (VA)website.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
For current information about government assistance programs for small businesses affected by the coronavirus, visit the Small Business Administration's (SBA) website. Please be aware that the SBA is unable to accept new applications for COVID-19 relief loans or grants. They continue continue to offer PPP loan forgiveness and EIDL increases
CARES Act Guidance
Guide to all three coronavirus relief packages in English.
Guía acerca de los paquetes de asistencia económica para el coronavirus en español.
Frequently asked questions about the CARES Act rebate can be found here on the IRS website.
The IRS has issued all first, second and third Economic Impact Payments. Most eligible people already received their Economic Impact Payments. Securely access your IRS online account to view the total of your first, second and third Economic Impact Payment amounts under the Tax Records page.
The best way to get current information and answers to a number of frequently asked questions, is to visit the Economic Impact Payment Information Center on the IRS website by clicking here. Please continue to reach out to our office and share any issues you are having so we may be of assistance.
New applications for COVID-19 relief programs or grants are closed, but PPP loan forgiveness and EIDL increases continue, click here for more information.
The Federal Government's Disaster Distress Hotline can be reached via telephone call at: 1 (800) 985-5990 or by texting 'TalkWithUs' to 66746.
Texas Information
For current information from the State of Texas.
For current information from the State of Texas, visit https://www.texas.gov/covid19/. Information is updated weekly.
Current information for parents and child care providers impacted by the coronavirus can be found on the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC) website.
Local Information
San Antonio
For current information about the coronavirus and testing, visit the San Antonio Metro Health website.
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has opened a COVID-19 hotline for anyone with a question concerning the virus. The hotline is available in English and Spanish. Call 3-1-1 and select option 8.
El Distrito de Salud Metropolitano de San Antonio ha creado una línea directa para que para cualquier persona que tenga una pregunta sobre el virus. La Linea directa esta disponsible en ingles y espanol. Llame a 3-1-1 y luego seleccionne 8.
RENTAL/MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE
Funding is still available. Applications can be found and submitted on-line at www.sanantonio.gov and assistance to fill out the application can be provided by calling 210-207-5910
NOTICE: The online application will ask you to upload digital copies of required documents. Click here for a list of documents required for assistance.
ASISTENCIA DE RENTA Y HIPOTECA
La financiaon todavia esta disponible. Las solicitudes se pueden encontrar y enviar en linea en www.sanantonio.gov y se puede proporcionar asistencia para completar la solicitud llamando a 210-207-5910
La aplicación en línea le pedirá que cargue copias digitales de los documentos requeridos. Haga clic aquí para obtener una lista de los documentos necesarios para recibir asistencia.
Austin
For current information about the coronavirus, including current testing sites visit the Austin Public Health website. The website includes information on testing as well as educational print materials in multiple languages. Additional community resources can be found on the City of Austin's website.
Para información sobre COVID-19 haga clic aquí.
The Central Texas Food Bank’s social services team is continuing to assist clients with applying for SNAP (along with Medicaid, TANF, Healthy Texas Women, Medicare Savings Program, CHIP and CHIP Perinatal). Offices are located at 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin, Texas 78744.
For information about health care services during COVID-19, visit Integral Care's website and contact their 24/7 helpline at (512) 472-4357.
The City of Austin created a one-stop site with resources to help those affected by, or requesting more information on the pandemic. Visit ATX Recovers to see more.
Bexar County
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has opened a COVID-19 hotline for residents to ask questions about the virus. The hotline is available in English and Spanish. Residents can call 3-1-1 and select option 8.
Comal County
https://www.co.comal.tx.us/Public_Health has the County's up-to-date response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including resources for those affected.
Hays County
Hays County Local Health Department & City of San Marcos, established a COVID-19 FAQ page with resources for those impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Travis County
Travis county has an updated website with all Covid-19 protocols, as well as a virtual surveillance board with FAQ's concerning Travis County's response to Covid-19. Please visit https://www.traviscountytx.gov/
Health Coverage
If you need help enrolling in an insurance plan visit EnrollSA.com or call (210) 977-7997.
Or
Foundation Communities at enroll@foundcom.org or (512) 381-4520.
Call Central Health's Eligibility Hotline at (512) 978-8130 for information on the Medical Assistance Program (MAP) or MAP-Basic for those with no health insurance and/or change in healthcare coverage status.
Click here to learn whether you qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Haga clic aquí para saber si califica para medicaid o el programa de seguro de salud para niños (CHIP).
Resources for Seniors
For current information regarding the coronavirus for seniors and people at higher risk, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC)website.
For additional resources regarding coronavirus from leading seniors groups, visit their websites here:
AGE of Central Texas Resources has a library of at-home activities, videos, virtual tours and webcams for seniors who are staying at home. Additionally, they have resources to help family caregivers during this trying time.
Additional Resources
- The Alzheimer's Association has a 24/7 helpline at (800) 272-3900and a coronavirus Tip Sheet linked here.
- Domestic Violence, which has been on the upswing since the advent of Shelter in Place, is forcing many victims to remain with their abusers at home. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, The National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) is available 24/7 at1 (800) 799-SAFE (7233).
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Central Texas (@NAMICentralTX) has programs and resources for those seeking support for mental health, including a free mental health education series. Learn more here.
- Workforce Solutions Capital Area offers assistance with job searches, unemployment insurance, and business assistance. Residents in Hays and Caldwell Counties can find similar assistance with Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area.
My Guest Editorials
You can read my guest editorials on this public health crisis, by clicking on the text below:
August 20, 2020 Austin American-Statesman: Doggett: Safeguarding the post box and the ballot box
April 23, 2020USA Today: The corrupt tax provision in the CARES Act
April 2, 2020 San Antonio Express News:Trump fails the COVID-19 response test
February 29, 2020San Antonio Express-News: Supporting San Antonio on the front lines of coronavirus
Oversight Actions
March 15, 2021 letter to CMS regarding Texas bonus payments to nursing homes during COVID-19
December 28, 2020 letter to Zoom on assuring equal access to consumers with disabilities
November 6, 2020 letter to HHS regarding COVID-19 hospital data
October 30, 2020 letter to CMS regarding reinstatement of nursing home staff training
August 27, 2020letter to the CDC regarding testing guidance
August 20, 2020 letter concerning taxpayer investments in Moderna vaccine
August 12, 2020 letter to Postmaster General DeJoy to Reverse Assault on Postal Service
August 6, 2020 letter to Vice President Pence regarding the Administration's COVID-19 vaccine plan
July 7, 2020 letter to CMS regarding COVID-19 nursing home data
May 29, 2020 letter to HHS on mishandling of Provider Relief Fund
May 20, 2020 letter to the Federal Reserve demanding accountability in corporate bailouts
May 13, 2020 letter to HHS regarding remdesivir clinical trial data and distribution plan
May 4, 2020 letter to Gilead CEO regarding supply chain and pricing plan for remdesivir
April 30, 2020 letter to Secretary Azar regarding taxpayer R&D investments in remdesivir
April 29, 2020 letter to FDA regarding accuracy of antibody tests.
April 21, 2020 letter to leadership regarding the protection of Medicaid during the crisis
April 9, 2020 letter to FDA regarding accuracy of COVID-19 tests
April 9, 2020 letter to Trump Administration on massive tax giveaways slipped into COVID relief bill
April 1, 2020 letter to Treasury and IRS urging that rebates to seniors be made automatic
March 20, 2020 letter to Governor Greg Abbott regarding COVID-19 testing for the uninsured
March 13, 2020 letter to HHS Secretary Azar regarding establishing a Special Enrollment Period.
March 6, 2020 letter to HHS Secretary Azar regarding test kits
March 6, 2020 letter to FDA Commissioner Hahn regarding test kits
March 2, 2020 letter to Commerce Secretary Ross regarding needed medical supplies being exported
March 2, 2020 letter to Chairman Frank Pallone calling for E&C oversight investigation
February 20, 2020 letter to President Trump regarding vaccine affordability
February 13, 2020 letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar regarding Lackland AFB concerns
My District offices in San Antonio and Austin will be adopting a shelter in place policy. My staff and I are still working to serve you, remotely. Should you need assistance, you can contact my San Antonio office at (210) 704-1080, my Austin office at (512) 916-5923, or send me an email.