Coronavirus Response Efforts Update (5/1/2020)

Trump Administration Issues Second Round of Sweeping Changes to Support U.S. Healthcare System during COVID-19 Pandemic (HERE)

• At President Trump’s direction, and building on its recent historic efforts to help the U.S. healthcare system manage the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today issued another round of sweeping regulatory waivers and rule changes to deliver expanded care to the nation’s seniors and provide flexibility to the healthcare system as America reopens.

Federal Reserve Expands Access to its Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (PPPLF) to Additional Lenders, and Expands the Collateral that can be Pledged (HERE)

• The Federal Reserve on Thursday expanded access to its Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (PPPLF) to additional lenders, and expanded the collateral that can be pledged. The changes will facilitate lending to small businesses via the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Over $1 Billion in Grants to 439 Airports in 50 States (HERE)

• S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced today that the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) will award $1.187 billion in airport safety and infrastructure grants. The total includes $731 million in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants and an additional $455 million in Supplemental Discretionary grants. The money will be available for 100 percent of the eligible costs under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

U.S. Department of State Doing Its Part to Keep America Safe, Healthy, and Running during the COVID-19 Pandemic (HERE)

• A new Department resource, [email protected], supports U.S. companies facing foreign government-imposed supply chain interruptions that prevent these companies from addressing the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States

Planning Considerations for Organizations in Reconstituting Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic (HERE)

• In these uncertain times, organizations across the nation are grappling with when and how to resume operations while protecting the well-being and safety of their employees and communities. Many organizations will be returning to a new normal and are asking: When is it safe to bring people back? Do we need to modify how we operate? How do we keep our employees, customers and community safe? How do we maintain a safe and sanitary environment? This fact sheet builds upon the White House guidelines for Opening Up America Again by providing further reconstitution planning recommendations for state, local, tribal, territorial and private sector stakeholders.

Statement by Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia on Unemployment Insurance Claims (HERE)

• “As states begin the process of reopening and Americans return to work, today’s unemployment report reflects once again the hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The President’s actions and policies will continue to support American workers during this crisis. All 50 states are now delivering the $600 additional weekly unemployment benefit provided by the CARES Act. The Department has disbursed more than three-quarters of a billion dollars to States to help them deliver this relief as quickly as possible as Americans follow the guidance of public health officials to ‘slow the spread.’ Looking ahead, as workplaces reopen, we must ensure that individuals transition from unemployment back into the workforce. Key to this process will be workplace safety. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been at the forefront of workplace safety since January, delivering important resources and guidance to businesses to help them keep workers safe, and investigating and responding to worker complaints.”

Veteran Trust in VA Health Care Rises Above 90 Percent for the First Time (HERE)

“These improvements are a testament to not only VA’s investment in patient experience programs but also the dedication of our employees.” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Even during a pandemic, our VA team has continued its steadfast commitment to delivering the highest quality care for our nation’s Veterans.”