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trao Apr 02, 2020

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

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April 1, 2020

WHAT TO KNOW NOW: FEDERAL UPDATE

by Derek Harley

Administration:

Internal Revenue Service (IRS):  The Treasury Department and the IRS announced that the distribution of economic impact payments will “begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. However, some seniors and others who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the stimulus payment.”  More details about the economic impact payments authorized under the CARES Act can be found here. 

Department of Labor (DOL): Today, April 1, 2020, the DOL released much-anticipated guidance regarding implementation of the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) enacted on March 18 (e.g. the second coronavirus stimulus measure).  The DOL Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted a temporary rule issuing regulations pursuant to the new law, effective today, April 1.

Department of the Treasury (Treasury): The Department of the Treasury has a helpful website at https://home.treasury.gov/cares with information on various programs authorized under the CARES Act, including the small business loans and tax credits for businesses, as well as the recently-issued guidance on the financial assistance to airlines.  You can also find an important warning about potential COVID-19 scams, and a link where you can report potential fraud.  Importantly, Treasury warns that if “you receive calls, emails, or other communications claiming to be from the Treasury Department and offering COVID-19 related grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, or an advance fee, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, please do not respond.  These are scams.”  Again, please see here for more information.

If you have any questions about this update, or would like additional details, please contact the Shumaker hotline at: 1.800.427.1493.

WHAT TO KNOW NOW: OHIO UPDATE

by Jared Holt

Coronavirus in Ohio by the numbers:

The state has 2,547 confirmed cases as of 2pm Wednesday.

Number of Confirmed Cases: 2,547

Number of Ohioans Hospitalized: 679

Number of Ohioans in ICU: 222

Number of Deaths: 65

Number of Ohioans tested for COVID-19: 29,000

Expected number of cases during the peak: 10,000/day

Expected peak: Late April

Supplies Received from the Strategic National Stockpile:

N95 masks: 271,450

Surgical masks: 672, 100

Face shields: 131,808

Gowns: 107,670

Pairs of gloves: 483, 575

Coveralls: 552

Impacted Counties: 

Coronavirus cases in Ohio are now being reported in 73 counties, including, Franklin, 391; Cuyahoga, 589; Medina, 59; Stark, 52; Delaware, 47; Butler, 41; Trumbull, 58; Lake, 48;  Mahoning, 177; Lucas, 181; Summit, 144; Miami, 60; Lorain, 85;  and Hamilton, 154.

Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19

Governor DeWine announced the creation of the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19, a public-private partnership to fight the growing pandemic. The governor is asking that all manufacturers who are capable help in the production of good and supplies to help curve the virus. Some of the larger partners in the effort are: the Ohio Manufactures Association, the Ohio Hospital Association, the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network, JobsOhio, the Ohio Department of Administrative Services and the Ohio Department of Health. For manufactures who believe they have the capability to create materials and or products more information can be found here. 

Governor’s Executive Orders:

To help speed up testing in private labs, Health Director Dr. Amy Acton issued an executive order mandating that Ohio hospitals without testing labs send their COVID-19 tests to certain testing facilities, such as OSU Wexner. The order, which can be found here, allows for quicker turnarounds on COVID-19 test kits.  

During today’s press conference, Governor DeWine issued an executive order urging commercial lenders to not start the eviction and foreclosure process on small business properties and rental properties owned by individuals or companies. The order will help small business owners and individuals continue to function during the unprecedented pandemic that is sweeping the state. 

An additional extension of the stay-at-home order is expected to come tomorrow. Speculation has grown around the expansion since President Trump extended the federal order last week. Concerns pertaining to mass gatherings, especially at church service, prompted the governor to speak out during this afternoon’s press conference.

Food Stamp Recipients:

Ohioans who receive food stamps can now use their EBT debit cards to shop and buy groceries online for curbside pickup. If certain grocery stores do not offer online payment, groceries can be ordered online and purchased using the EBT card in the store.

Ohio’s Major Disaster Declaration:

President Trump approved Ohio’s request for a major disaster declaration late Tuesday evening. The state, local governments and some non-profits now qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance in fighting the COVID-19 outbreak. Money coming from the federal government will cover up to 75% for virus preparedness and the expansion of hospital bed capacity.       

COVID- 19 Test Kits and Supplies:

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is increasing their testing from 200/day to more than 1,000/day. This expansion is made possible due to the work of researchers at Battelle and their production of a new rapid test for COVID-19.

A reminder that the state is still requesting donations of unused medical supplies. The top ten needed items are:

  • Surgical gowns (all sizes)
  • Face/surgical masks (adult and pediatric)
  • Gloves (nitrile, vinyl or butyl)
  • N-95 particulate respirators
  • Isolation gowns
  • Face shields
  • Tyvek coveralls
  • Thermometers
  • Foot coverings
  • Ventilator tubing

The state is asking residents and businesses who can donate any of this equipment, or any other essential service or resource to aid the pandemic, to email together@governor.ohio.gov.

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