Coronavirus Response Efforts Update (04/28/2020)

Treasury, IRS Announce Significant Enhancements and Updates to Get My Payment App (HERE)

• The U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS today announced significant enhancements to the “Get My Payment”app to deliver an improved experience for Americans eligible to receive Economic Impact Payments.

U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA and CDC Issue Interim Guidance to Protect Workers in Meatpacking and Processing Industries (HERE)

• The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have releasedjoint coronavirus-related interim guidance for meatpacking and meat processing workers and employers – including those involved in beef, pork and poultry operations. The guidance includes recommended actions employers can take to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Continues to Ensure Availability of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Addresses Safety Concerns (HERE)

• Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provided an update on its efforts to ensure the availability of alcohol-based sanitizer to help meet the demand for hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the agency’s significant flexibility, more than 1,500 additional manufacturers have registered with the agency to produce hand sanitizer. At the same time, the agency is addressing safety concerns related to products being sold that are not in line with the FDA’s policy and others being marketed with unproven claims.

Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers’ Hands Felt at Every Level of the Response to COVID-19 (HERE)

• MRC units are assisting with call center operations; community education and outreach (e.g., assisting elderly and vulnerable community members with well check calls, temperature monitoring, errands, food distribution, medication pick-up); logistics support (e.g., inventorying and distributing personal protective equipment, setting up drive-through tents and mobile field hospitals); patient case and contact investigations; patient monitoring; community screening and testing operations; and surge support at long term care facilities, health care facilities, and alternate care sites (including emergency isolation shelters).

FCC and U.S. Department of Education Promote Remote Education so Students Can Continue Learning (HERE)

• The Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Education today announced efforts to promote the use of $16 billion in funding from the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act’s Education Stabilization Fund for remote learning. The agencies will work with governors, states, and local school districts as they leverage funding to best help students learning from home during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.