Daily Update: April 7, 2020 1 PM

Pennsylvania

• 14,559 confirmed cases, 76,719 tested negative, Deaths 240

Cases by county in the 10-county region per Pennsylvania Department of Health
* case count last updated at 12:00 p.m. on 4/7/2020

State Updates:

• Fulton Bank Joins ‘PA CARE Package’ Initiative: Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that Fulton Bank has agreed to join the ‘PA CARE Package’, Pennsylvania’s consumer relief initiative. By joining these efforts, Fulton Bank, along with the Office of Attorney General, will ensure Pennsylvania consumers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for additional economic relief. Under the ‘PA CARE Package’ initiative, banks and financial institutions are working with the Office’s Bureau of Consumer Protection to both comply with the recently-passed CARES Act and offer additional important protections for consumers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit: https://dingo.telicon.com/PA/library/2020/2020040790.HTM .

Regional Coronavirus Update

City of Pittsburgh

• As Pittsburgh City Council continues meeting remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, the council today will not broadcast or livestream meetings but instead will replay them later. Council Chambers remain closed as a public health measure.  Both the regular and standing committees meetings will be pre-recorded and replayed on City Channel Pittsburgh. All public comment should be sent via U.S mail or email at cityclerksoffice@pittsburghpa.gov.
• A Pittsburgh police officer at the bureau’s training academy has tested positive for COVID-19 and a recruit who interacted with him has shown symptoms of the virus, leading to suspend the current 28-member academy class.  It is unclear how many full-time officers besides the infected firearms instructor might have been exposed, and the police bureau refused Monday to disclose how many officers on the force had been asked to self-isolate.  A mixture of recruits and full-time rank-and-file officers were told to quarantine themselves over concerns of potential exposure.

Southwestern Pennsylvania

• There are now over 1,200+ confirmed coronavirus cases in the southwestern Pennsylvania area.  According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s latest numbers, here is the breakdown:  Allegheny County: 689 cases, 6 deaths; Fayette County: 32 cases, 1 death; Washington County: 57 cases; Beaver County: 116 cases, 9 deaths; Butler County: 107 cases, 2 deaths; Lawrence County: 29 cases, 2 deaths; Westmoreland County: 177 cases; Greene County: 15 cases; Armstrong County: 18; cases and Indiana County: 21 cases.

Beaver County

• The Beaver County nursing home where the number of positive cases and deaths from COVID-19 continues to increase almost daily is now going to presume that all 450 residents and more than 300 staff “may be positive” for the disease. Upon consultation with the Department of Health, and consistent with practices of facilities on the cutting edge of prevention and treatment, it is beginning to shift away from counting test results, and presuming all staff and residents may be positive, according to a press release from Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center.

Federal Coronavirus Update

• The Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter to Senators Toomey and Casey and the Pittsburgh region congressional delegation calling for replenishment of the PPP and EIDL programs without delay given the overwhelming demand. See Attached

United States House of Representatives / United State Senate

• Members of Congress and the White House are looking ahead toward another coronavirus rescue package in addition to the $2.2 trillion stimulus package signed by the president last month.
• Pennsylvania Sens. Pat Toomey and Bob Casey on Monday jointly sent a letter to the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services asking the agency to report back to them within a month about how the federal government is getting the nation’s worst nursing homes to slow the spread of COVID-19 and also stating that it is essential to ensure nursing facilities are prepared to prevent the virus’s spread and treat emerging cases. 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General

• The president on Monday claimed that an inspector general report finding severe shortages of supplies at hospitals to fight the novel coronavirus is just wrong and provided no evidence for why the conclusions of the 34-page report are wrong.  The inspector general report, released earlier Monday, was based on a survey of 323 randomly selected hospitals across the country, found severe shortages of tests and wait times as long as seven days for hospitals. It also found widespread shortfalls of protective equipment such as masks for health workers, something that doctors and nurses have also noted for weeks.  The full report can be found at: https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-06-20-00300.pdf.

Department of Transportation (DOT)

• The DOT has given airlines final approval to pare down services back to minimum flights due to the plunging demand.  The decision comes one day after TSA screened 108,300+ passengers at nationwide airports compared to 2.38 million on the same day last year.

National Coronavirus Update

• The U.S. death toll surpassed 11,000 people. 
• Wisconsin’s Supreme Court blocked Gov. Tony Evers’ order to postpone the state’s primary election today despite his arguments that in-person voting could endanger poll workers and voters because of the coronavirus pandemic.  The United States Supreme Court allowed the vote with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissenting.
• Data has begun to show that African Americans comprise a large number of COVID-19 deaths as this population likely works in essential jobs that can’t be done at home, such as grocery jobs and are disproportionately likely to have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart and lung diseases that would make someone more likely to have severe Covid-19 illnesses. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law on Monday called for the federal government to release racial and ethnic data relating to the pandemic. The group says it wants to ensure that communities of color receive equitable health care and treatment during this crisis.

Resources from Today’s “COVID-19 Financial Assistance” Webinar (April 3, 2020)

Coming Mon. 4/6 – Part 2 of COVID-19 Financial Relief Webinar (April 3, 2020)

CALL TO ACTION: Help Get Our Kids Back to School (April 2, 2020)

Friday, 4/3/20 Webinar: Small Business-Focused COVID-19 Financial Assistance (April 1, 2020)

Together as Pittsburgh in the Face of a Global Pandemic (March 27, 2020)

Statement from Matt Smith, President, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference, on the House passage of the CARES Act, the Coronavirus Relief Bill (March 27, 2020)

Key Provisions of the Federal Stimulus Package (March 26, 2020)

Join Us for Our Coronavirus Labor and Employment Updates Webinar (March 24, 2020)

Governor Wolf Orders a “Stay at Home Order” for Allegheny County and 5 other PA Counties (March 23, 2020)

State modifies list of “non-life-sustaining” businesses
Matt Smith, president, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference quoted with partner organizations PA Chamber of Business Industry President and CEO Gene Barr and The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia President and CEO Rob Wonderling (Pittsburgh Business Times, March 21, 2020)

URGENT NEED FOR SUPPLIES (March 22, 2020)

This afternoon, the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference, issued a statement jointly with the PA Chamber of Business and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia (March 20, 2020)

Waiver & Clarification: Gov. Wolf’s Non-Life-Sustaining Business Closure Order (March 20, 2020)

COVID-19 Resources for the Pittsburgh Region (March 19, 2020)

URGENT: Manufacturers Needed – Production for COVID-19 Response (March 18, 2020) DEADLINE 12:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, March 18.

Survey – Economic Impact of COVID-19 (March 17, 2020)

Being Safe and Working Smart: a COVID-19 CEO Update (March 13, 2020)

UPDATE as of 4/1/20: Applications for a business seeking a waiver to continue operating in the state of PA during the COVID-19 crisis are due by Friday, April 3, 2020 at 5:00 pm. Businesses can access the application here. Businesses can refer to the Industry Operation Guidance which was last updated 4/1/20 at 4:00 pm.

Sen. Casey announced $170 million for PA in federal funding to address the Coronavirus Pandemic. These funds will be distributed via the Community Development Block Grant Program. Funding has been awarded to several communities in SWPA including: City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Beaver County, Westmoreland County, Washington County. Specific funding levels can be viewed on Senator Casey’s website.

U.S. Department of Labor announced a temporary rule implementing the paid sick leave and family and medical leave provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). More guidance will be provided with a recorded webinar that DOL will post on Friday, April 3.

Internal Revenue Service guidance on Refundable Tax Credits through FFCRA (IRS). IRS issued guidance on the refundable tax credits available to small and midsize businesses that are required to provide paid leave under FFCRA.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Guide To The Employee Retention Tax Credit For COVID-19 For COVID-19 Impacted Employers” The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created a new employee retention tax credit for employers who are closed, partially closed, or experiencing significant revenue losses as a result of COVID-19. Learn more at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Employee Retention Tax Credit webpage

PA Act 10 of 2020 – Extension of Filing Deadline Applies to Trusts/Estates, Partnerships and S Corporations Act 10 of 2020 specifically provides for the extension of the following tax filing deadlines:

• Extends the deadline to July 15, 2020 for declarations of estimated personal income tax.
• Extends the deadline to July 15, 2020 for payments of estimated personal income tax.
• Extends the deadline to July 15, 2020 for the filing of informational returns related to Pennsylvania S corporations and partnerships (Form PA-20S/PA-65), and estates and trusts (Form PA-41).
• Extends the filing date by three months for certain information returns (1099-R, 1099-MISC, and W2-G).

The Department of Revenue is also extending the due date for corporations with tax returns due in May to August 14, 2020.

U.S. Senate Committee on Finance Guidance for CARES Act: Employee Retention Credit FAQs. Developed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, the document answers a wide range of potential questions – including what types of businesses qualify for the credit, how it is calculated and the availability of the credit.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has created a “How to Get a Coronavirus Emergency Paycheck Protection Loan” webpage. Below is an overview provided by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in regards to guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury for the Paycheck Protection Program.

U.S. Department of Treasury Releases Information on Paycheck Protection Program 

The U.S. Department of Treasury shared new information regarding the Paycheck Protection Program. The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Please review the resources provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury below and visit their webpage for additional information.

• A top-line overview of the program can be found here.
• If you’re a lender, more information can be found here.
• If you’re a borrower, more information can be found here.
• The application for borrowers can be found here.

• Wolf Administration Launches Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal was developed through a joint effort between the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Health, the Department of General Services, and the Department of Community and Economic Development to source the most needed supplies for medical providers, emergency responders, and health care professionals.


• *UPDATED* 5:45pm, March 21, 2020 – Industry Operation Guidance – this is the updated list related to Governor Wolf’s order to close non-life sustaining businesses.


• The U.S. Department of Labor is hosting a national online dialogue, Providing Expanded Family and Medical Leave to Employees Affected by COVID-19, to help employers and workers understand their responsibilities and rights, respectively, under the FFCRA. For more information and registration click here.


• The PA State Police issued a guidance document for their enforcement of non-essential businesses. It can be found here.


• NAM: National Association of Manufacturers State-by-State Resources. See the latest snapshot of state and local restrictions on mass gatherings and their implications for manufacturers.


• Allegheny County Health Department Facebook page.


• Allegheny County Health Department on Twitter.


• Allegheny County Health Department online message form
  (Please check the COVID-19 box, and your inquiry will be sent directly to ACHD’s epidemiology team)
  Allegheny County Health Department phone line: 412-687-2243


• Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald social media accounts: You can also follow Rich on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.


• Rumors and misinformation can be destructive and can even cause harmful behaviors that increase personal and public health risks. While we cannot realistically respond to every rumor, Allegheny County Health Department has created a page dedicated to addressing rumors about COVID-19.
  
  
• COVID-19 Business Resources (PA Dep’t of Community and Economic Development Business Resources)


• For national updates, visit the CDC’s coronavirus website for updates, resources and FAQ series. Also, the CDC launched a Self-Checker.


• Pennsylvania’s Department of Health’s coronavirus website includes information on positive cases throughout the Commonwealth, including the number of reported and confirmed cases in each county.


• Allegheny County Health Department – Check out the latest news and sign up for press releases and alerts.

US Treasury Guide to the Paycheck Protection Program

• Paycheck Protection Program Guidance
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has created a “How to Get a Coronavirus Emergency Paycheck Protection Loan” webpage. Below is an overview provided by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in regards to guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury for the Paycheck Protection Program.
• The U.S. Department of Treasury shared new information regarding the Paycheck Protection Program. The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Please review the resources provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury below and visit their webpage for additional information.
• A top-line overview of the program can be found here.
• If you’re a lender, more information can be found here.
• If you’re a borrower, more information can be found here.
• The application for borrowers can be found here.
• SBA Payment Protection Program Standard Operating Procedures

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• PPE/Supplies – Donations & Requests, Regional Contacts


• Wolf Administration Launches Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal was developed through a joint effort between the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Health, the Department of General Services, and the Department of Community and Economic Development to source the most needed supplies for medical providers, emergency responders, and health care professionals.

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General loan opportunities – low or no interest loans and grants
• US Chamber of Commerce guide to the CARES Act Your questions answered on eligibility, what lenders are looking for, how much you can borrow and loan forgiveness
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Guide to SBA’S Economic Injury Disaster Loans” The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act expands the Small Business Administration’s long-standing Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL). The EIDL program was created to assist businesses, renters, and homeowners located in regions affected by declared disasters. Learn more at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce EIDL webpage
• Apply for a SBA Disaster Loan – Steps for SBA loan applications. Please note:
• No collateral required for up to $25K in loan amount
• Collateral for $25K+ but lower threshold for what is considered collateral
• Tech community, patents, IP and AR can be considered for collateral
• Everything You Need to Know About SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans
• Bridgeway Capital Loans for COVID-19 Response Fund – Bridgeway also offers technical assistance for small businesses through the Entrepreneurship Hub
• PA Department of Community and Economic Development – Regular updates on loans and business assistance, as available
• Information for ACED borrowers – Receive deferment of existing loans with no accrued interest
• Apply for loans from the Honeycomb Small Business Relief Fund – Community-sourced loans for impacted businesses
• Apply for loans from the Hebrew Free Loan Association of Pittsburgh – Nonsectarian interest-free loans for small business/residents
• Apply for Kiva’s 0% interest loans up to $15,000 – Community-sourced loans for impacted small businesses
• Please note the COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program is no longer receiving applications due to depletion of funds.

• Urban Redevelopment Authority – URA halting small business loan payments for URA borrowers — see “Resources for Businesses” section for information and additional support
• URA actions to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on Pittsburgh’s small businesses March 30, 2020 press release
• Greene County Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Business Resources
Indiana county business updates
• Indiana county business updates
• Indiana County SBA assistance form – email byronjr@ceo.co.indiana.pa.us or mhilliard@indianacountychamber.com
• Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce
• Lawrence County contact for small business assistance at the Duquesne University Development Center: Paul Bucciarelli bucciarellip@duq.edu
• Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce Small business loan recommendations
• Washington County Chambers of Commerce COVID-19 Resources
• Westmoreland County COVID-19 Resources for Business

Advice for small businesses
• Contact your local SBDC or an SBA Local Assistance partner for individual guidance on your business needs.
• Free telephone counseling to assist with SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) through the Chatham Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship.
• The University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence Resources, technical assistance and webinars for impacted businesses
• National Minority Supplier Development Council – Information to mitigate COVID-19’s impact on the suppliers, including free webinars
• “Business as Usual” daily webinars from the Pittsburgh Technology Council – Learn directly from state representatives, local CEOs and others experts about ways to keep up with more of a sense of “business as usual” throughout the COVID-19 crisis

Entrepreneurial community connections
• Mentorship for local founders Regional database matching founders with established mentors for virtual office hours
• Carnegie Mellon Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship Start-up and entrepreneurial resources
• Innovation Works Virtual assistance for start-ups. Inquiries and questions can be made to info@innovationworks.org
• “What Pittsburgh Founders Need to Know” Weekly, free webinars beginning Thursday April 2 with “Insights on the Current VC Environment.”

Workforce issues – Connections for upsizing and downsizing
• Partner4Work Resources for businesses; workers, job seekers, and youth
• Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board Helping employers and job seekers throughout Washington, Greene and Beaver counties
• Staffing agencies – click here for listing
• Virtual tip jar— CMU-created resource to help support industry service workers
• Unemployment compensation – Expedited procedures, including suspension of the “wait week” for claimants and waiving the work search and work registration requirements

• Create Your Crisis Management Plan (ACCE) Tactical and practical resources for internal chamber crisis management and resources.


• Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist (CDC/HHS) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed the following checklist for large businesses.


• Lead Your Business Through the Coronavirus Crisis (Harvard Business Review) The Harvard Business Review has distilled the following 12 lessons for responding to unfolding events, communicating, and extracting and applying learnings.


• 8 Questions Employers Should Ask About Coronavirus (Harvard Business Review) The Harvard Business Review outlines eight questions that companies should ask as they prepare for — and respond to — the spread of the virus.


• Coronavirus Response Toolkit (US Chamber of Commerce) The U.S. Chamber has compiled CDC’s coronavirus recommendations for businesses and workers across the country.


• COVID-19 Business Resources includes updates from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.

• Guidance for Businesses and Employers (CDC) This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).


• Combating the Coronavirus (US Chamber) This is intended to inform and equip businesses with the most important and up-to-date information to prevent the spread of the virus and prepare businesses for the near and long-term impact.


• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 This contains recommendations as well as descriptions of mandatory safety and health standards.


• Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the ADA (EEOC) This technical assistance document provides information about Titles I and V of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and pandemic planning in the workplace.


• 2020 Employer Response to the Coronavirus Webinar, March 19 (PA Chamber) The Pennsylvania Chamber Educational Foundation is presenting a free 1½ hour webinar as a public service to review the facts, legal aspects and the many employment considerations that surround the potential of employee exposure to the coronavirus.

• COVID-19 hotline – ACHD has partnered with United Way 2-1-1 to offer a 24/7 hotline to address questions and concerns about COVID-19. Please call 888-856-2774 to speak with a representative. Language services are available.


• Free Food Distribution Map A map that’s continuously updated with the most current information of where free food distributions are occurring in Allegheny County.


• Harbor Freight decided to donate their entire supply of the personal protective equipment items, including N95 Masks, Face Shields and 5 and 7 mil Nitrile Gloves to front line hospitals with 24 hour emergency rooms in the communities served by our stores. Please see link to access these resources


• United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania – The Heinz Endowments, the Pittsburgh Foundation, the Richard King Mellon Foundation and The Hillman Family Foundation announced $10 million in immediate resources to the community through grants to the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.


• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank – The Food Bank is committed to making sure all of our neighbors have access to enough food during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

Pittsburgh Public Schools Remote Learning Fund
Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) is set to launch PPS Remote Learning for students April 16. Moving instruction for 23,000 students from brick and mortar classrooms to remote “at home” learning via online. While the district will provide instructional packets for those students who do not have access to technological devices, there is a need to bridge the digital divide and level the playing field.

To date, the District has invested $1.5 million in its Laptop Lending Initiative for students and staff, but the needs are much greater. Results from the District’s Home Technology Survey indicate that an additional 7,500 devices are needed to meet the needs of the District’s families, including another 800 families who do not have access to the internet.

• The Pittsburgh Foundation Emergency Action Fund Immediate contributions are needed to meet childcare, aging, homeless, homeless/out-of-housing quarantine, and more.


• The Allegheny County Department of Human Services issued an immediate call for items to address supply chain issues, specifically there is a need for donations of the following items: masks (particularly N95s), gloves, thermometers, and cleaning supplies and equipment. Please contact Marc Cherna, Director, Allegheny County Department of Human Services, marc.cherna@AlleghenyCounty.US.