While it is still critically important for us to remain at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we as a state and as a nation are beginning to look to the future.

President Donald J. Trump last week issued his guidelines to reopen America. His plan details a phased approach to getting Americans back to work in a safe way.

Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis also announced a task force of government and business leaders to explore how we as a state can re-open in a safe way.  The task force convened for the first time today, and Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of testing.  The state expects to receive a shipment of 100,000 FDA-approved antibody tests this week. 

The members of the Governor's task force will convene daily this week and issue recommendations on Friday.  I know many businesses are anxious to reopen and families desire to return to normal, but we must adopt a safe, thoughtful and data-driven approach so that we don't risk causing more harm than good.

I am glad that our nation's leadership and our state's leadership are working together to create a path for our future.  I look forward to sharing more information, including the task force's recommendations, with you in the near future.

Visit My Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Webpage

For all resources previously shared in these newsletters please visit kathleenpassidomo.com. You will find news, resources and updates on COVID-19 and our state's efforts to support you and your families during this pandemic.  I will continue to share the most recent updates with you in these newsletters. 

Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

As of Monday night, there are 27,058 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) reported in the state of Florida, including 470 in Collier County, 785  in Lee County and 44 in Hendry County.  There are now over 746,625 cases across the United States and more than 2.4 million worldwide. 

While Florida’s testing has increased over the past week, the percent of those testing positive for COVID-19 overall is 10 percent. Of the 10,716 tests performed on April 19, there were 1,081 positive results, or 10 percent.

Here are additional resources from the state and federal level: 

• To find the most up-to-date information and guidance, you can visit the Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) COVID-19 webpage.
• For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.
• For more information about current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State, please visit the travel advisory website.

If you are experiencing symptoms, or have traveled internationally or to a heavily-infected area recently, please contact your local County Health Department.  

Click the button below to view Florida Health's Data and Surveillance Dashboard for Florida-specific data including County-by-County cases.  The department has added new features to its dashboard tool, including the ability to see the number of cases in each individual zip code in Florida.

Reminder: Text FLCOVID19 to 888-777 to Receive Updates

Last week, the Governor announced a new text line where Floridians can text “FLCOVID19” to 888-777 to receive the latest updates on Florida’s fight against COVID-19.

President Trump Released Guidelines for Opening America Up Again

On April 16, President Donald J. Trump released Guidelines for Opening America Up Again, providing a plan for rolling back social distancing measures and reopening the country’s economy in several phases, depending on location.

Under the guidelines, states will need to meet six metrics that include demonstrating a downward trajectory of COVID-19 cases over a 14-day period and a robust system for testing health care workers before they can proceed to a phased opening.

Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) Continues PPE Distribution

The Florida DEM has continued the unprecedented push of PPE to first responders and health care workers. To-date, the Florida Division of Emergency Management has sent out

• 8 million masks, including N-95, procedure and surgical masks
• 5 million gloves,
• 564,000 shoe covers,
• 615,000 face shields,
• 300,000 gowns,
• More than 100,000 containers of hand sanitizer,
• 47,000 goggles,
• 22,000 coveralls.

Distance Learning Extended For Rest of 2019-20 School Year

On April 18, the Governor and Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran recommended that all Florida public and private K-12 schools continue distance learning and keep school campuses closed through the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year.

Senate President Bill Galvano Issues Financial Outlook and CARES Act Update

Florida Senate President Bill Galvano distributed a memorandum to all Senators last week with information on the State and National Economic Outlook as well as information regarding the Federal CARES Act.

National Economic Outlook

Moody's Forecast and IHS Markit both forecast a decline in U.S. GDP in the first and second quarters.  The catalysts for both forecasts are the COVID-19 crisis, turmoil in equity markets, and the decrease in global oil prices. While lower oil and gas prices are good for consumers, from the perspective of economists, the lower energy investments and production negatively impact the national economy.

Moody's Forecast believes aided by the fiscal stimulus and the assumption that COVID-19 infections peak in May and begin to abate by July, GDP growth is forecast to bounce back in the second half of the calendar year, beginning with 15.7% growth in the third quarter (July, August, September).

The IHS forecasts that the third quarter will remain negative, but improved but does not expect GDP growth to turn positive until the fourth quarter.  This also reflects the view that activity will not begin to change materially until new US cases of COVID-19 are significantly driven down. 

Moody’s forecast assumes a significant increase in the unemployment rate during the second quarter, averaging 12.5% for the quarter, while IHS Markit sees a peak unemployment rate of 10.3% in the fourth quarter.

Health Care Emergency Relief Funds

Maintaining emergency capacity to accommodate COVID-19 patients has resulted in significant revenue loss to Florida's hospitals.  This is related to most outpatient procedures being canceled, as well as significant reductions in inpatient stays and the significant costs preparing for COVID-19 by purchasing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ventilators and establishing of drive-through testing facilities.

The federal CARES Act provides $100 billion for hospitals and health care providers across the country.  Federal Health and Human Services is distributing $30 billion to hospitals and physicians with the majority going to hospitals.  Funds will be provided as direct grants, allocated based on provider Medicare billings.

These federal funds provided directly to hospitals and health care providers are separate from the additional federal funds that will be distributed to the state due to the increase in the federal match for Medicaid.

Governor’s Emergency Relief Funds

Under the CARES Act, Governor DeSantis will receive an estimated $174 million in discretionary funds that can be allocated as emergency support grants to school districts and institutions of higher education (IHEs) that have been most significantly impacted by the coronavirus.

 K-12 Education Emergency Relief Funds

Under the CARES Act, Florida will receive an estimated $770 million in grant funds to support K-12 education.  The funds are allocated to the states based on the proportion of funds received under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in the most recent year.  Under the Act, 90% of the funding is intended for local school districts. The remaining 10% will be utilized for emergency needs as determined by the State Department of Education.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds

Under the CARES Act, Florida Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) will receive an estimated $792 million in emergency relief to help respond to the coronavirus. 

Institutions must use at least 50% of their funds to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

Institutions may use the remaining funds to defray other expenses or costs associated with the coronavirus outbreak, such as lost revenue and technology costs associated with a transition to distance education courses and programs.

Student Financial Aid and Loan Borrowers Relief

The CARES Act also includes loan and grant duration limits.  The law exempts semesters that students cannot complete due to COVID-19 from the maximum period during which students may receive Federal Subsidized Direct Loans or Pell Grants.  For students who have borrowed loans, the law additionally suspends payments and interest accruals on Federal Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loans through September 30, 2020.

Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) Updates

On April 14, AHCA issued Emergency Order AHCA 20-002 to temporarily suspend nursing home and Intermediate Care Facility assessment payments for March 2020 to help alleviate financial burdens.  This EO suspension aims to alleviate financial burdens incurred at these facilities due to COVID-19.

AHCA has also created new temporary Personal Care Attendant program to help long-term care facilities fill staffing shortages.  The program provides 8-hour training on assisting with direct care so that personal care attendants can temporarily perform additional duties.

Governor DeSantis Forms Re-Open Florida Task Force

Governor DeSantis officially launched the Re-Open Florida Task Force.  On April 20, the Governor hosted a conference call to announce the task force and provide a briefing on the state’s economic outlook by economists from the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce presented statistics relating to the state’s economy.  The Chamber’s economists provided an overview of the state's economic performance prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, and a summary of the challenges ahead. 

The Governor's task force consists of elected officials, as well as leaders in health care, education, utilities and business. The task force will convene daily and provide recommendations to the Governor by the end of this week. 

Executive Order 20-104: Emergency Temporary Action Related to Unemployment Compensation - COVID-19 (April 16, 2020)

The Executive Order suspends the biweekly “actively seeking work” reporting requirements by claimants. View Executive Order 2020-104 here.

Find the Latest on Local Distance Learning 

Governor DeSantis extended distance learning through the end of the school year, and families can find  announcements and additional information from local school districts. 

Local COVID-19 Testing Locations

NCH Healthcare System, Lee Health, and Florida Community Health Centers, Inc. (FCHC) are offering COVID-19 testing by appointment only.  For the latest updates on testing locations and how to schedule an appointment visit the links below.

Reminder: Reemployment Assistance Applications Available At Collier County Public Library Locations

Collier County Public Library is assisting The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) with the distribution of unemployment application forms and mailing envelopes to Florida residents.  The applications will be available in English, Spanish and Creole.

Residents can pick up an application along with a mailing envelope at an unstaffed table outside the following seven library entrances from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday until further notice.

• Everglades City Branch Library, 102 Copeland Avenue N., Everglades City, Phone: (239) 695-2511
• Golden Gate Branch Library, 2432 Lucerne Road, Naples, Phone: (239) 252-4542
• Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, Phone: (239) 252-7350
• Immokalee Branch Library, 417 N. First Street, Immokalee, Phone: (239) 252-7073
• Marco Island Branch Library, 201 S. Heathwood Drive, Marco Island, Phone: (239) 252-7064
• Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Avenue, Naples, Phone: (239) 252-5135
• South Regional Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples, Phone: (239) 252-7542

Completed applications should be mailed to:
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
P.O. Box 5350
Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350

Applicants may drop off the sealed envelope at one of the following FedEx stores offering free mailing:

• 2367 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, Phone: (239) 566-7108
• 890 Neapolitan Way, Naples, Phone: (239) 643-4477
• 5420 Juliet Boulevard, Naples, Phone: (239) 451-3180
• 9885 Collier Boulevard, Naples, Phone: (239) 351-5457

A special thanks to Joe Paterno and our local Careersource offices who as of last week have been able to reset over 3,000 PINs of local residents applying through the Connect System.

Hendry County to Host Virtual Commission Meeting Next Tuesday

The Hendry County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

In response to the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the restrictions imposed by Executive Order Number 20-91 issued by the Governor relating to personal interactions, the meeting will be held via communications media technology (CMT) and the public will not be allowed to physically attend the meeting.

The meeting will be available for viewing via Facebook live stream.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Provides Reemployment Assistance Daily Update and Launches State Reemployment Assistance Claims Dashboard 

Beginning April 20, the Florida DEO will provide daily updates on the efforts made to address the challenges to Florida’s Reemployment Assistance program in response to COVID-19. This includes a new State Reemployment Assistance Claims Dashboard that will be updated daily to reflect the total number of Reemployment Assistance Claims submitted, verified, processed, and paid. 

As of April 19: 

• 170,407 payments to Floridians in reemployment Assitance Benefits have been made
• 162,039 claims have been processed and receive monetary determination
• 649,314 claims are currently under review through the four-step verification process
• DEO in total has received 1,533,723 applications for Reemployment Assistance from March 15 through Sunday, April 19. This number includes individuals filing directly through CONNECT, online and by paper. DEO is currently identifying duplicates and triplicates in the application process.

Over the weekend, DEO conducted necessary upgrades to enhance the performance capability of CONNECT. These upgrades are allowing the system to process claims faster so that individuals filing for Reemployment Assistance can be paid as soon as possible.

DEO will be conducting nightly maintenance to the CONNECT system to help with processing claims. CONNECT will only be available from 8:00 a.m. – 7:59 p.m. daily.

CareerSource Florida Launches 'Help is Here' Initiative

CareerSource Florida has launched an integrated public and business outreach campaign, Help is Here, a comprehensive resource for employment and business services for impacted Floridians.  The interactive webpage that can connect Floridians with their local CareerSource offices and assist them.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs COVID-19 Response 

Veterans who are concerned they may have symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), flu or cold should contact the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center at 1-877-741-3400 (toll-free) before coming to a VA facility.

Clinical staff are available to provide 24/7 virtual care and support, including nurse advice and triage. This service is available at no cost to Veterans enrolled for care in VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8). 

The Florida Veterans Foundation has teamed up with the American Legion of Florida to create the COVID-19 Project Vet Relief Fund.  This will help with emergency assistance for those veterans who are affected by this pandemic around the state of Florida.  Veterans in need of assistance will find the application form, requirements and guidelines listed on the website at www.HelpFLVets.org. 

Vet Centers Open for Counseling Services

All Vet Centers in Florida, which provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to veterans and families, are open and implementing ‎enhanced screening ‎protocols.  At this time, veterans may appear in person or opt-in advance for an optional ‎phone consultation. 

Veterans and their families are encouraged to get connected to counseling services by calling the 24/7 Vet Center Call Center at 1-877-927-8387.  Most Vet Centers are currently utilizing telehealth services through VA Video Connect and can also speak to individuals via phone to reduce any barriers to seeking necessary help.

Department of Education Increases Access to Child Care Services 

The Florida Department of Education’s (DEO) Office of Early Learning (OEL), in coordination with local early learning coalitions, has prioritized and increased access to child care services for first responders and health care professionals. These services will be authorized for three months, and the continued need for child care will be reevaluated prior to the end of services.

Currently, over 50 percent of Florida’s child care facilities are closed due to COVID-19. Many essential professionals, first responders and health care professionals rely on this care for their children, especially those working extended hours to provide medical care to those in need.

OEL has created a referral process, in partnership with employers and statewide early learning coalitions to swiftly provide priority access and expedited referrals for children of first responders and health care professionals.

First responders and health care workers needing help finding a child care provider should contact their local early learning coalition for assistance.

DOE Provides Spanish Language Resources for Florida Students

To access educational resources available on the DOE website in Spanish, visit the link below.

Florida Healthy Kids COVID-19 Response 

Healthy Kids has taken several proactive steps to remove barriers and ensure access to care. The steps enacted will remain in place at least through April 30.  Unless otherwise specified, these measures apply to children enrolled in MediKids (ages 1-4; full-pay and subsidy), Florida Healthy Kids (ages 5-18; full-pay and subsidy), and the Children’s Medical Services Managed Care Plan (ages birth-18 with special medical needs).

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) launches COVID-19  Impact Survey

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has launched surveys to identify the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s agriculture and marine industries. We ask that if you are an agriculture producer that you please fill this survey out or that if you know any agriculture producers that you forward this information to them and ask them to participate.

The Florida Department of Health remains the best and most up-to-date resource for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in our state.

Florida Department of Health (DOH)

• http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19
• https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/
• COVID-19 Confirmed Cases Dashboard: https://arcg.is/0Hfi5O 
• COVID-19 Call Center: 1-866-779-6121
• Email: COVID-19@flhealth.gov 
• Twitter: @HealthyFla

Local County Health Department Offices

Collier County 

• Immokalee Office: 239-252-7300
• Naples Main Office: 239-252-8200

Hendry County

• Clewiston: 863-983-1408
• LaBelle: 863-674-4041

Lee County 

• Main Office - Michigan Clinic: 239-332-9501
• Pondella Clinic: 239-461-6100 (for appointment)
• WIC - Bonita Springs: 239-344-2000 (for appointment)
• WIC - Lehigh Acres: 239-344-2000 (for appointment)

Emergency 

• Dial 911
• Emergency Hotline: 311 or 239-252-8444 
• City of Naples Emergency Services: 239-213-4844
• American Red Cross: 239-596-6868

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• CDC COVID-19 Homepage
• Frequently Asked Questions

White House National Updates

• coronavirus.gov

World Health Organization (WHO)

• https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/novel-coronavirus
• https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

I hope you find this newsletter as a suitable resource for COVID-19 updates and access to state resources.  As you remain "safer-at-home", please be sure to follow social distancing guidance to keep you and your household healthy.  I will keep my constituents updated as we continue to learn more.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance
 
Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Passidomo

Senate Majority Leader
State Senator, District 28

Not paid for at taxpayer expense.

Paid political advertisement paid for by Working Together for Florida P.C., 133 South Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285.