COVID-19 Resources
To California's 7th Congressional District,
As a doctor and your Member of Congress, my number one priority is keeping Sacramento County families safe and healthy. I understand the health and economic concerns that many families have over the spread of COVID-19 in the United States. Families are facing difficult choices about how to make ends meet as many experience reduced income or even job loss due to the economic impact of coronavirus.
As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread, it's important for you to have the most accurate and up-to-date information. Please consult the below health and economic resources. Please know that I will continue to work with federal, state, and local governments to ensure Sacramento County receives all the necessary resources to keep our communities safe and prepared. As always, if you have any questions please give my office a call at (916) 635-0505. Please also join my email updates for the latest information.
Together we will overcome this pandemic.
Be Well,
Background on COVID-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
Symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Call your healthcare professional if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19.
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Prevention
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
People can help protect themselves from respiratory illness with everyday preventive actions.
- 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. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
- Getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids, eating healthy foods, and managing your stress helps you stay healthy.
- Practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet.
- Wearing a cloth face covering when out in public.
- Stay home.
Testing
There are several FREE coronavirus community and drive-thru testing sites throughout Sacramento County. Click here to find a COVID-19 testing site near you.
Vaccinations
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and the best way to keep you and your loved ones protected from this virus. The vaccines also help protect you from severe illness and hospitalization. Click here to find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic near you.
Additional Resources and Contact Information
State: https://covid19.ca.gov/
- State of California Coronavirus Response with information and resources.
Governor's office (916) 445-2841; or online at https://covid19.ca.gov/
- Executive "Stay at Home" Order https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/
Unemployment: https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/filing_a_claim.htm
COVID-19 EDD: https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
How You Can Help
Blood Donations: https://www.vitalant.org/Home.aspx
Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/local/california/gold-country.html
HandsOn Sacramento: https://www.handsonsacto.org/covid-19
California Volunteers: https://californiavolunteers.ca.gov/get-involved/covid-19/
Donate 4 Sacramento: https://www.sierrahealth.org/donate4sacramento
- Public, private, labor and nonprofit leaders throughout the Sacramento region have joined forces to raise both awareness of what we as a community are confronting and resources that will be dedicated to help vulnerable populations and small businesses.
Economic Impact Payments to Individuals and Families
I helped pass the historic and bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provides economic relief to families and individuals during these unprecedented times. The CARES Act directs the Department of the Treasury to make a one-time direct payment to individuals to help them recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who is eligible for the economic impact payment?
Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible.
How will the IRS know where to send my payment?
The vast majority of people do not need to take any action. The IRS will calculate and automatically send the economic impact payment to those eligible.
For people who have already filed their 2019 tax returns, the IRS will use this information to calculate the payment amount. For those who have not yet filed their return for 2019, the IRS will use information from their 2018 tax filing to calculate the payment. The economic impact payment will be deposited directly into the same banking account reflected on the return filed.
The IRS does not have my direct deposit information. What can I do?
In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.
I am not typically required to file a tax return. Can I still receive my payment?
Yes. People who typically do not file a tax return will need to file a simple tax return to receive an economic impact payment. Low-income taxpayers, senior citizens, Social Security recipients, some veterans and individuals with disabilities who are otherwise not required to file a tax return will not owe tax.
How can I file the tax return needed to receive my economic impact payment?
IRS.gov/coronavirus will soon provide information instructing people in these groups on how to file a 2019 tax return with simple, but necessary, information including their filing status, number of dependents and direct deposit bank account information.
I have not filed my tax return for 2018 or 2019. Can I still receive an economic impact payment?
Yes. The IRS urges anyone with a tax filing obligation who has not yet filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019 to file as soon as they can to receive an economic impact payment. Taxpayers should include direct deposit banking information on the return.
Where can I get more information?
The IRS will post all key information on IRS.gov/coronavirus as soon as it becomes available.
Help for small businesses
- Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.