COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources by Florida Blue (English and Spanish)

FIND A TESTING SITE

Vaccination

-State of Florida COVID-19 Vaccination Information

-Fact Sheet For Recipients And Caregivers

County Health Departments are administering COVID-19 vaccine to persons 65 years of age and older.

Emergency Pet Boarding Relief

Need assistance with emergency pet boarding? Visit Redrover for emergency boarding grants.  "The RedRover Relief Emergency Boarding grant program helps animals who need temporary boarding while their owners are hospitalized due to the COVID-19 virus. This grant will cover the cost of up to two (2) weeks of boarding while a pet owner is hospitalized."  For more information, visit: https://redrover.org/relief/emergency-boarding-grants/

RESOURCES:

• Florida Department of Health
• FDA and FTC Warn Seven Companies Selling Fraudulent Products that Claim to Treat or Prevent COVID-19
• Price gouging can be reported by calling 866-9NO-SCAMS or through Florida’s NO SCAMS mobile app
• Analysis of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• COVID-19 Non-Profit Resources Toolkit
• Loans Available for Nonprofits in the CARES Act Chart
  
• U.S. Treasury Department published updated FAQs on the PPP and the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued interim regulations. This guidance provides clarification on many questions nonprofits have been asking about the PPP. The interim regulations clarify that borrowers may only use up to 25% of the forgivable portion of a loan for non-payroll expenses.
• IRS announced that it is extending to July 15 relief to all taxpayers that have a filing or payment deadline falling between April 1, 2020 and July 15, 2020
• Fraud Alert: Robocalls and Stimulus check scams
• The Department of Economic Opportunity continues to increase the capacity of its Reemployment Assistance Program. Over the weekend, DEO rolled out paper applications, available here, and further improved their website to handle traffic-related issues so as to better assist Florida residents

Older Americans Act - Administration for Community Living - ALL NEW UPDATES including information by Statute, NEW information for caregivers and behavioral health resources.

• FAQs and fact sheets to address specific program issues (these also have been sent directly to our grantees):
• Fact sheet: Emergency determination under the Stafford Act
• Letter to Directors of State Units on Aging and FAQ: Presumptive Waiver Approval for Meals Programs
• FAQs for Adult Protective Services and Legal Assistance Programs

CDC's COVID-19 web page includes a number of resources, including specific guidance for:

• People at risk of serious illness from COVID-19
• Preventing spread of COVID-19 in communities
• Getting your household ready in case of an outbreak in your community
• What to do if you or someone in your household is sick
• Businesses and employers
• Dr. Jay Butler, CDC's Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases, talks about what older adults need to know about the virus.
• What Law Enforcement Personnel Need to Know About Coronavirus Disease 2019
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions
• Guidance for Retirement Communities and Independent Living
• This new guidance provides steps to protect employees and prepare small businesses for disruption. A fact sheet also outlines 10 steps small business employers can take now to protect their employees’ health.
• Resources in American Sign Language (videos)

Medicare.gov's COVID-19 page includes information for beneficiaries.  A few key things:

• Medicare covers the lab tests for COVID-19. You pay no out-of-pocket costs.
• Medicare covers all medically necessary hospitalizations. This includes if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and might otherwise have been discharged from the hospital after an inpatient stay, but instead you need to stay in the hospital under quarantine.
• At this time, there's no vaccine for COVID-19. However, if one becomes available, it will be covered by all Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D).
• If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you have access to these same benefits. Medicare allows these plans to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19 lab tests. Many plans offer additional telehealth benefits beyond the ones described below. Check with your plan about your coverage and costs.
• COVID-19 Response News Alert: CMS Issues Frequently Asked Questions on Catastrophic Health Coverage and the Coronavirus.

CMS's COVID-19 web page includes a variety of resources for the networks:

• FAQ for State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Agencies (March 12, 2020).  
• CMS issued revised Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in nursing homes. This included revised guidance for visitation.  
• Home and Community-Based Section 1915(c) Waiver Information

National Institute of Health

• New coronavirus stable for hours on surfaces (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
• To Beat COVID-19, Social Distancing is a Must (NIH Director's Blog)
• Schools, Workplaces & Community Locations
• Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) - Emergency Preparedness for Health Centers

U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs Response to COVID-19

Kaiser Family Foundation

• Coronavirus Puts a Spotlight on Paid Leave Policies
• Private Health Coverage of COVID-19: Key Facts and Issues
• What Issues Will Uninsured People Face with Testing and Treatment for COVID-19? 

Other Information of Interest

• Manage Health and Stress
• Recognize and Manage Stress
• Family Caregiver COVID-19 Prevention Tips
• Why You Should Lead with Values in COVID-19 Crisis. How Communicators Protect Reputations
• On March 16, Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. The application period opens March 17, 2020 and runs through May 8, 2020.
• Find a Foodbank
• Reemployment Assistance Application Guide 
• Reemployment Assistance COVID-19 (coronavirus) Frequently Asked Questions
• Medication early refills - Visit your insurance provider website or call for information.
• Comprehensive and Updated FAQs for Employers on the COVID-19 Coronavirus (Fisher Phillips)
• Crisis Communications – TACOS Method
• 5 Important HR Considerations in the Time of COVID-19
• FEMA has a rumor control page at https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-Rumor-Control. The page addresses the latest myths, giving people the latest facts–versus myths–on the federal response.
• Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Helpline, 866-232-8484, is open seven days a week to speak to you regarding any questions you may have about the coronavirus outbreak, steps caregivers can take, therapeutic activities that can be done at home and staying connected during social isolation.
• Alzheimer's Association - Special Caregiver Tips
• The Florida Senior Legal Helpline’s Call Center is open for business at 1-888-895-7873, and screeners and advocates are ready to assist. This FREE telephone access point to Florida’s legal services delivery system has never been a more critical resource during a time when many, if not most, of Florida’s seniors are homebound. Please continue to promote the Florida Senior Legal Helpline within your community. More information about the Florida Senior Legal Helpline, as well as other legal resources available, can be found online at org
• America's Seniors and Covid-19, City Journal, March 23,2020
• Coronavirus Exposes our Digitally Disadvantaged Older Population, Booming Encore, March 26, 2020

Entertainment to Take Your Mind Off Covid-19

• Virtual Museum Tours
• Metropolitan Opera Live Stream
• Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium
• National Zoo Webcams
• Seated full body workouts (SHAPE)
• Need ideas for phone conversations that are NOT about the virus?  Conversation Starters.
• Create a scavengar hunt with friends or family to stay engaged!
• Develop a list of items to 'find'
• Share the list with your group
• Everyone 'checks in' with their photos of found items (any social media or text group works)
• Talk about it with the online group, and choose a new leader to set the list for the next hunt

Ideas - something green in your house, pet in a funny hat, flowers in your yard, scary face, 5th picture on your phone, what was for lunch, fitbit steps, etc.

En Español

• ¿Qué deben saber los adultos mayores y las personas con discapacidad?
• Directrices del president sobre el coronavirus para los Estados Unidos [PDF – 825 KB]
• CDC: Lo que necesita saber sobre la enfermedad del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) FDA: Preguntas más frecuentes acerca de la Enfermedad del Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

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• California DD Council video series:

  • Episodio 1 - Cómo mantenerse saludable

  • Episodio 2 - Lo que debo hacer si creo que estoy enfermo

  • Episodio 3 - Lo que debo hacer si estoy enfermo

  • Episodio 4 - Lo que debo hacer si mi familiar o persona que me cuida se enferma