I was invited today to be on a conference call with the White House on a COVID-19 Briefing Call. I serve on the Health Committee with NACo and was invited through that. I expected to not know any of the speakers on the call and knew it would be a call for listening only. What I didn’t expect was for Vice-President Mike Pence to be on the call. I can’t say enough for how communicative and informative these professionals were. They truly care about all Americans and what we are facing. They referred several times that for things to flow as they should it needed to be federally funded, state managed and locally executed. VP Pence said he was called on to lead because as a former governor he understands the necessity for our governors to be leaders and managers for the whole state. He said the people on the front lines are the true heroes. He said that the federal government is supporting not just all the health initiatives but are here to support small businesses and American families too. Here are some takeaway facts from the call.
1. Funding is in place so that all corona virus testing will be free to the public.
2. FEMA has been activated in every region and there will be a video conference tomorrow from them. Level 1. Colocating staff into regions. Eligible non-profits could get access to this funding. HHS has funding for public emergencies in relation to this virus. Reimbursements available.
3. To manage the emergency people need to understand the risk factors and you could be a carrier without have any symptoms. You could carry the virus to someone with health conditions.
4. The COVID-19 virus is three times more infectious than the normal flu.
5. Special raised standards need to be practiced for all nursing homes and retirement centers with particular attention to the screening of all employees in place and no visitors if possible.
6. We are here to support you with all the resources you need to respond appropriately.
7. We are now more aware of all the issues surrounding this virus.
8. 10 counties in the United States with extremely high counts.
9. Starting early eliminates the pressure on the ER rooms and makes more care available where it needs to be.
10. Test were shipped yesterday and today and more on the way. All text should be prioritized and given to those with real symptoms.
11. HSS is exploring the use of more simple test that individuals can do on their own. Those are not ready to roll out just yet.
12. You will see a dramatic increase in numbers in the next 3-4 days and it’s because of the backlog in getting test results of samples tested. Need to be aware of what the numbers are that we are seeing.
13. Expanded all Medicare patients to have tele-healthcare from the own homes with no co-pay. Attempting to keep all normal health issues dealt with from inside people’s homes instead of risking going to the ER or doctors office and getting this virus. 62 million people are on Medicare.
14. HHS is spending $500 million on respirators over the next 18 months.
15. Increasing regular federal funding matches 6.2%.
16. Spending over 45 billion to develop a vaccine and supplies from HHS.
17. Secretary of Homeland security warned of hacking schemes using corvid-19 to get access into your personal and businesses.
18. They are striving to ensure our critical infrastructures are maintained with continued resilience. Watch for SMS text messages being sent to you by hackers on your phones alleging nationwide quarantines and other untrue things. Go to the source to get your information.
19. Assistant to Sonny Perdue Joby Young said our food supply chain is remaining strong. Nutrition programs and partnerships are being formed with private vendors to deliver 1 million meals a week out to rural areas. Looking for more vendors to join. Congress considering more funding to feed more. Access info at singlesourceoffeedingkids@USDA.gov and
foodsupplychain@USDA.gov
21. Frank Brogan@ed.gov Assistant Secretary of Education elementary and secondary.
22. US dpt. of Labor -
servicelocator.org unemployment benefit finder. They expect more to come.
Lots of information but good to know that they are aligning things to help people with the impacts of this virus. I took notes as fast as I could trying to relay the information to all of you. I hope it helps someone.
Also, Georgia has been given a SBA Disaster Declaration. Additional information from Governor Kemp is contained here.