I will continue sending out updates regarding the efforts being made at the local, state, and federal levels to combat COVID-19. I will also continue working with my colleagues in Congress and our partners in Nevada to mitigate the economic disruptions and losses individuals and businesses are encountering. Please keep reading to learn more about some of the action we’ve taken so far:
QUICK HITS: LATEST UPDATES
STATE ACTION:
Governor Sisolak has ordered the closure of all of Nevada’s K-12 schools through April 6. The Governor also ordered the statewide closure of all non-essential businesses for 30 days, effective through April 16. If you have questions regarding the Governor’s response efforts, please phone his Carson City office at (775) 684-5670, his Las Vegas office at (702) 486-2500, or visit his website at www.gov.nv.gov.
For those affected by school closures, the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) announced a two-tier response to address school meal interruption. CLICK HERE for meal locations and pickup times broken down by each county.
Despite being ordered to close their doors, many Nevada employers are maximizing their efforts by doing everything within their power to take care of their employees. Hats off to them. Please know Congress is also continuing to do everything within its power to make sure employers of all sizes have the resources they need to take care of their employees and keep their businesses viable.
Click through the links below for additional state updates:
For more information, please visit the “Nevada Health Response” website specifically dedicated to Nevada’s COVID-19 response efforts. In case you missed it, the website recently added a COVID-19 dashboard feature to give Nevadans valuable information in one centralized location.
FEDERAL ACTION:
What has Congress Done in the last 14 days?
- On March 6th, President Trump signed H.R. 6047, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, into law. The bill provides $8.3 billion in emergency support for our state and local partners to initiate a comprehensive medical response to the outbreak in the United States.
- H.R. 6201, the second Coronavirus bill, was signed into law by President Trump on March 18th. This legislation expands testing for all Americans, provides paid sick leave for workers impacted by COVID-19, and gives small businesses the flexibility they need to care for their employees. CLICK HERE to learn how this legislation helps small businesses, seniors, and workers.
On March 19, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced the third coronavirus response bill, S. 3548, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Majority Leader has stressed the Senate will not leave Washington until they pass a bill, and invited Senate Democrats to begin negotiating with their Republican colleagues on his proposal. The legislation focuses on:
- Direct financial help for the American people;
- Rapid and additional relief for small businesses and their employees;
- Significant steps to stabilize our economy and protect jobs; and
- More support for our healthcare professionals and the patients who are fighting the coronavirus on the front lines.
As work continues on the economic recovery bill, we will continue to update you with information as it comes out. CLICK HERE to read the full text of S. 3548.
What has the Administration done in the last 14 days?
The White House continues making important announcements on a daily basis as a result of the Coronavirus Task Force. Learn more about these efforts below:
- The President announced his Administration is taking steps to empower certain qualified laboratories to use validated coronavirus tests while their Emergency Use Authorization requests are under review. This action would empower states to authorize tests developed and used within their borders.
- The President also announced the Department of Housing and Urban Development would be suspending evictions and foreclosures, and said the U.S. and Canada made the mutual decision to close the border to non-essential travel. Cross-border trade has been exempted from this.
- Vice President Pence shared the Department of Health and Human Services would allow doctors and medical professionals to practice across state lines to meet the needs of hospitals that may arise in adjoining areas.
- The Treasury Department has also issued further guidance that will allow taxpayers to defer tax payments. CLICK HERE for more.
CD-2 ACTION:
OUTREACH EFFORTS
In addition to supporting efforts being made at the federal level, my staff and I are making a point to be in constant contact with our state and local partners on the ground here in CD-2.
- On the economic side, we’ve reached out to chambers of commerce, major industries including the gaming and tourism industries which account for a majority of Nevada’s state revenue, small business owners, and others we foresee being impacted.
- On the public health side, my staff and I have been in close contact with relevant local, state, and federal health authorities, and have worked to facilitate requests for needed supplies, highlight Nevada’s unique priorities to the federal departments of jurisdiction, and will continue to be a resource for all partners as further measures are being taken to tackle COVID-19 and safeguard the health of all Nevadans.
Overall, our goal is to help facilitate the flow of information coming from the federal level, communicate priorities and requests, and help bridge any gaps. These efforts are aimed at getting everyone on the same page. Combating COVID-19 will require a team effort on everyone’s part.
While the situation remains fluid and we’ve had to slightly alter our typical office protocol out of an abundance of caution, all three of my offices remain open during regular business hours to maintain CD-2 operations, ensure Nevada’s medical providers have the tools they need to respond to the threat facing us, and to minimize the economic impacts to businesses and individuals, so please do not hesitate to call if you need assistance.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
SMALL BUSINESSES
The Small Business Association is currently working to bolster their services as they prepare to deal with a high volume of cases from people needing immediate assistance. Click through the links below for helpful information from the Small Business Association:
WELFARE SERVICES:
For those needing assistance or to apply for welfare services through the Department of Health and Human Services Division of Welfare and Supportive Services, CLICK HERE.
- The Division of Welfare and Supportive Services provides food assistance benefits (SNAP and WIC), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, cash assistance), and medical and child care assistance through ACCESS NEVADA.
- Please call (775) 684-7200 to be connected with a representative from the Northern Nevada offices.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:
CLICK HERE to file an unemployment claim. This service is available online to Nevadans 24-hours a day. The Nevada Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) has extended the hour of its unemployment lines from 8 AM PT to 8 PM PT Monday through Friday.
- Northern Nevada: (775) 684-0350
- Rural Nevada: (888) 890-8211
FOOD SERVICES:
As schools, businesses, and restaurants comply with new operating requirements around the state, I want to ensure you and your family have access to all resources – local, state, and federal -- should your access to meals be disrupted.
GENERAL RESOURCES & INFORMATION:
- CLICK HERE for information about the USDA’s Food Nutrition Service’s (FNS) efforts.
- CLICK HERE for information from the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.
- CLICK HERE for a comprehensive list of local food pantries in your area. (This list includes multiple food pantries for counties across CD-2).
- The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has also announced a feeding program partnership in rural areas in response to COVID-19. CLICK HERE for more information.
SCHOOL CHILDREN:
- CLICK HERE for meal locations and pickup times from the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) and from individual districts. If the meal sites were to be shut down, the second tier implements USDA foods through the Emergency Food Assistance program, supplying household foods instead of prepared meals.
- CLICK HERE for a comprehensive list of school’s food pickup locations broken down by county.
SENIORS: Meals on Wheels will continue operating. We will keep you updated if we learn of any changes regarding their operation. See below for specific information regarding Meals on Wheels and where seniors can access food in their area:
- Washoe County: Seniors will have access to meals through the home delivery service or from a drive-up pickup site through April 6.If you would like to refer a senior to the Home Delivered Meals program, click here for the referral form. If you have additional questions, please contact Meals on Wheels at: (775) 328-2575.
- Carson City: Seniors will have access to on-site lunches via drive-thru, M-F, 11-2pm. Delivery services will operate as normal and case management will be available by phone appointments. Please call the Carson City Senior Center at (775) 883-0703 for more information.
- Churchill County: Seniors can schedule a meal pick-up or by calling the William N. Pennington Life Center at 775-423-7096. Meals will be available for pick-up M-F from 11:00-12:30pm at the front of the Center. If you need meals delivered, contact the Center at 775-423-7096 to be placed on the Meals on Wheels Program.
- Douglas County: To sign up for Meals on Wheels delivery, you will need to call the Douglas County Senior Center at 775-783-6455 and complete a brief phone assessment. Please check back or call 775-782-5500 ext. 1 for more information on how services will continue to be provided.
- Elko County: The Terrace at Ruby View, Senior and Active Lifestyle Center is hosting a drive by meal to replace their congregate meal effective March 16, 2020 until further notice. Elko residents who normally ride the bus to the congregate meal program will be moved to Meals on Wheels until further notice. For questions, contact 775-738-3030.The Open-Door Senior Center in Carlin is going to deliver meals to replace their congregate meals effective March 16, 2020 until further notice. For questions, contact 774-754-6465. The Silver Sage Senior Center in Wells will be delivering meals and can be reached at 775-752-3280.
- Eureka County: The Senior Centers will continue serving the senior citizens by delivering meals during this time. Please call the Fannie Komp Senior Center to learn more about how they will accommodate pick-up and delivery of meals at 775-468-0466. The Eureka Senior Center is delivering meals to all seniors and can be reached at 775-237-5597 for more information.
- Humboldt County: The Pleasant Senior Center will continue delivering meals to senior until April 6th. Please call 775-623-6211 or visit their Facebook page HERE for more updates.
- Lander County: The Senior Citizens Center in Battle Mountain is still delivering meals and operating a drive-up system and can be reached at 775-635-5311. The Austin Senior Center will be operating a drive-thru for meals and can be reached at 775-964-2338 for more details.
- Lyon County: Senior Centers located in Dayton, Fernley, Silver Springs, and Yerington are temporarily closed, but meals will still be provided via delivery or drive by meal pick-up. Dayton Senior Center can be reached at 775-246-6210, Fernley Senior Center can be reached at 775-575-3370, Lyon County Senior Services can be reached at 775-577-5009, Silver Springs Senior Center can be reached at 775-577-5014, and Yerington Senior Center can be reached at 775-463-6550.
- Pershing County: The Pershing County Senior Center will be closed until March 30th, but they will continue to deliver meals to congregate clients at home. If you need help arranging meals, please call the Center at 775-273-2291.
- Storey County: Both the Virginia City Senior Center and Lockwood Community/Senior Center are operating their Meals on Wheels program as usual and operating drive-thru service at both locations. The Virginia City Senior Center can be reached at 775-847-0957 and the Lockwood Community/Senior Center can be reached at 775-342-2840.
GOOD NEWS
In a bit of encouraging news this week, federal agencies and business leaders in our region and nationwide are taking steps to address demand needs while also creating employment opportunities. Learn more about this news below:
AMAZON
On Monday, Amazon announced 100,000 new full and part-time position openings across the U.S., as well as a more than $350 million investment in increased compensation for current hourly employees in the U.S., Europe, and Canada through April 30. These employees will see an increase of $2/hour. With a fulfillment center located in Reno, this will have a direct and positive impact on CD-2.
For more information, click here. To apply for job openings, please click here.
CVS
There is also positive news coming out of Massachusetts this week where CVS has officially launched a pilot drive thru coronavirus testing site. CLICK HERE to learn more about those efforts. We will be sure to follow this program and keep you apprised of any updates and when we might expect to see a similar system expand to chain drug stores here in Nevada.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA)
- The FDA recently announced a new coronavirus test that will speed up by tenfold the ability to test patients, helping resolve a significant obstacle that has previously impeded efforts to contain the virus.
- The FDA is also providing more regulatory relief during outbreak and continues to help expedite availability of diagnostics. CLICK HERE to learn more.
- Additionally, the FDA has issued diagnostic emergency use authorization to Hologic and LabCorp. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Finally, in case you missed it, I’ve recently sent out a separate update about where to find reliable sources of information when you need it most. CLICK HERE to read it. Part of our job is to provide you access to the accurate information, especially when making important individual, family, and business decisions – whether they be health or financially related – and we will continue to do so.
As always, thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on the issues you care about most. For additional information, please visit my website at amodei.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760, or Elko office: (775) 777-7705. To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and in Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
