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From: FEMA Private Sector
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Sent: Friday, April 10, 2020 8:11 PM To: BEMA@BlackEmergManagersAssociation.org Subject: FEMA Advisory: HHS Letter to Hospital Administrators
FEMA
ADVISORY – April 10, 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
HHS Letter to Hospital Administrators
To follow-up on his letter from March 29, 2020, Secretary Azar just sent
the attached letter and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to hospital
administrators across the country. Today’s letter underscores the importance
of data-sharing and highlights that hospitals are key partners with the
Federal Government as we work to ensure that the Whole of America response to
COVID-19. The data requested included daily reports on testing, capacity,
supplies, utilization, and patient flows to facilitate the ongoing public
health response.
The letter also recognizes that many non-Federal entities may already be
requesting this information from hospitals; therefore, the federal government
has done its best to minimize the burden of sharing this data and to reduce
further duplication of effort.
The FAQ attachment to the letter details the federal government’s data
needs, explains the division of reporting responsibility between hospitals
and states, and provides clear, flexible options for the timely delivery of
this critical information. Our objective is to allow states and hospitals
either to leverage existing data reporting capabilities or, where those
capabilities are insufficient, to provide guidance in how to build on them.
These FAQs will be updated if additional data delivery methods become
available.
It remains critical that all requested information listed in the FAQ is
provided daily to the federal government to facilitate planning, monitoring,
and resource allocation in response to COVID-19.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please
contact FEMA Office of External Affairs, Congressional and Intergovernmental
Affairs Division:
Follow Us
Follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA online, on
Twitter @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA Facebook page
or FEMA Espanol page
and at FEMA YouTube channel.
FEMA
Mission
To help people before, during and
after disasters.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Thompson, DeFazio, Payne, Titus Urge
Trump to Eliminate Cost Share for States Under Coronavirus Disaster
Declarations
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March 24, 2020 (WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G.
Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Peter
A. DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, and Rep. Dina
Titus (D-NV), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public
Buildings, and Emergency Management, sent
a letter to President Trump urging him to, during the coronavirus
pandemic, eliminate the 25 percent cost share that states typically are
required to bear under emergency and major disaster declarations.
“Given the unprecedented nature of this pandemic, SLTT
[state, local, tribal and territorial] governments will not be able to
shoulder the 25 percent cost share under the PA [Public Assistance] program,”
the Members wrote. “We urge you to increase the Federal support and
eliminate the non-Federal cost entirely. Such a cost share adjustment will
enable SLTT partners to dedicate essential resources to outbreak response efforts.
An increase in the Federal cost share is warranted given the magnitude of the
threat facing the nation…”
# # #
Media contact:
(Homeland Security) Adam Comis
(Transportation and Infrastructure) Sandy Bayley
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Thompson, Rose Write DHS on Reports of
Extremists Seeking to Exploit Coronavirus Pandemic
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March 24, 2020 (WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G.
Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Max Rose (D-NY), Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Intelligence and Counterterrorism, sent a letter to
Elizabeth Neumann, Assistant Secretary for Threat Prevention and Security
Policy, at the Department of Homeland Security regarding the Federal
government’s efforts to counter potential homeland security threats from
violent extremists who may seek to take advantage of the current coronavirus
health crisis. Recent reports
have highlighted how white supremacist extremists across the world are
discussing ways to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to advance violent
ends and spread chaos.
“As the
COVID-19 pandemic continues to upend American life in new and unpredictable
ways, we seek an understanding of how DHS is preparing for and mitigating
potential homeland security threats from bad actors, such as violent
extremists in the United States and abroad, who may seek to exploit
vulnerabilities stemming from this metastasizing crisis,” wrote the
Members. “To that end, we would like to know how the Office of Threat
Prevention and Security Policy is coordinating DHS prevention efforts to
account for the evolving threat landscape under the specter of COVID-19.”
# # #
Media contact:
(Thompson) Adam Comis at 202-225-9978
(Rose) Jonas Edwards-Jenks at 202-225-3371
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| Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8597468851455378189 |
Anxiety
is understandably high as we are learning more about the spread of this
disease. There can be fear even if you live in an area where the
disease hasn’t occurred.
The information below may be helpful in
managing the fear you may feel. Resources for up-to-date medical
information and advice about coronavirus are at the end of this message.
Managing Fears
A good way to manage any kind of fear is to become educated about it.
The more
we know about the real dangers, the more we can take effective steps to avoid
or minimize them, thereby putting some fears to rest. Accurate
information is an effective antidote to unrealistic fears.
Monitor your exposure to the news. Media news coverage can arouse emotion
and increase fear. It’s important to get the facts, but it may not
be helpful to hear reports over and over. Be aware of how you and
family members respond to news stories. Limit television or online
coverage if it becomes distressing.
Put your risk into perspective. The risk of contracting coronavirus in
the U.S. is low at this time. It’s important to stay aware and
informed, but try to make sure your level of fear does not exceed your risk
factors. If you have specific concerns, contact your health care
professional
Put this disease in context. The term “pandemic” can
be very scary. It means cases of a new disease are showing up around
the world and may spread rapidly because people don’t have immunity.
However, this term doesn’t indicate how dangerous it’s likely to be.
We’re exposed to health risks every day. The good health habits you use
to reduce the risk of communicable diseases, such as washing hands
frequently, are some of the same precautions recommended for coronavirus.
Focus on what you have control over. News stories and images about the spread
of a disease can make us feel anxious and helpless. Knowing how to
minimize your risk can reduce anxiety. The World Health Organization
(WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have
information about how to reduce your risk of contracting the virus.
They offer advice and directions in the event you must travel to a place
where the virus has been identified. A link to travel information is
included at the end of this article.
Be always aware, but not always fearful. Awareness means paying attention to news
that is specific to where you live and where you may travel. Awareness
is not the same as being fearful. Constant fear that isn’t
reality-based can create stress and be counter-productive. It can be
harder to deal with a true risk when everything seems like a danger. We
want to focus on what is happening, rather than getting caught up in
thoughts of what could happen.
Notice if fear begins to become panic. Ask yourself if unreasonable fear is
changing your behaviors, for example, being afraid to leave your home or
letting children attend school. You might find yourself avoiding places
or people of a certain ethnicity. These may be signs that you could
benefit from additional support.
Take a break from the fears. Try to shift your focus
away from stressful thoughts. Spend time doing things you enjoy that
help you feel calm and balanced.
If children have fears, give them honest information at a level
they can understand. You don’t need to explain everything about the
virus and risk. Give them only as much information as they
request. Encourage your children to talk to you about their thoughts
and feelings. Listen to their concerns, and then reassure them.
For example, point out that the risk in the U.S. and Canada is very
low. Explain that there are steps that everyone can take to protect
themselves. Limit your child’s exposure to news reports. Seeing
repeated coverage can be disturbing. It can be helpful to watch the
news with your child and discuss it afterwards.
If you have no reason to believe you have been
exposed to the virus, you can go about your normal daily activities.
Understand that national and international health organizations are working
diligently to understand the risks, treatment, and keep the public safe.
Resources
for more information
World
Health Organization (WHO):
WHO
travel information:
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
CDC
travel information:
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Amid the mad dash to
develop fifth-generation (5G) wireless technologies, Shirley Bloomfield likes
to remind people that vast swaths of America have other hurdles to clear
first. “As everybody ...
thehill.com
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