Coronavirus Update for Wednesday, March 25

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update for Wednesday, March 25

In an effort to keep TN-09 constituents up to date on the coronavirus situation, I will share updates with important information. I hope you'll take some time to look at this information. As always, if you need to reach my office please call 901-544-4131 for the Memphis office and 202-225-3265 for the D.C. office. Updates will be posted on my website: www.Cohen.House.Gov.

Tennessee has 784 cases of coronavirus infection, including 170 in Shelby County.

Stay-at-home orders

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris have issued executive orders requiring non-essential workers to stay home. Both orders went into effect at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

Food Distribution Plan Re-Established

On Friday, Shelby County Schools announced that the food distribution planned to begin this week was being suspended due to a nutrition worker testing positive for the coronavirus. Over the weekend, the YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South, including partners like the City of Memphis, The Redwing Group, Southwest Community College,FeedWells, and the Mid-South Food Bank stepped up and will be providing free meals. Here is a list of distribution sites and hours: https://www.ymcamemphis.org/covid-19/emergency-meal-sites/

WIC Benefits

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act gives USDA authority to waive the requirement for individuals to be physically present in order to be certified or recertified to receive Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits. Today, Tennessee was granted the ability to waive these requirements through May 31, 2020 and can now automatically load monthly benefits onto a WIC card. See details here: https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/fhw/wic/redirect-wic/wic-clinics.html

SNAP Benefits

The USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS) is implementing a provision of the recently enacted Families First Coronavirus Response Act with a two-month Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotment for Tennessee.

Consider Take-Out

The Memphis Alcohol Commission voted Saturday to allow restaurants to sell beer and wine for delivery and takeout. On Sunday, Governor Bill Lee issued an executive order allowing beer and wine sales statewide. With in-house dining banned during the coronavirus outbreak, one way you can help keep these businesses stay afloat, and their employees working, is to consider ordering take-out. However, be sure to follow social distancing precautions if doing so, and tip generously.

Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) travel restrictions, fare waiver

MATA has set new rules for ridership in an effort to comply with social distancing goals. No more than ten riders will be permitted on fix-route buses and trolleys. Riders are encouraged to keep their distance from other riders. MATA recently announced that fares are being waived through March 30 as a precaution against spreading the virus.

Beware of Disinformation

Bad actors are spreading false rumors and tales in an effort to confuse and scare us. Be attentive to the source of information in your evaluation of its truth and accuracy. Information passed long by friends and family is often presumed to be true, but check it out. Be skeptical of what appears to be improbable and we will all get through this.

CDC Guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on Covid-19 can be foundat Coronavirus.gov. The CDC issued guidance this week that gatherings of 50 or more people should be postponed or canceled for the next eight weeks.

Please follow the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at Coronavirus.gov.

That guidance includes:

• Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds

• If soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer that is 60 percent alcohol

• Put a physical distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and other people

• Avoid physical contact with other people

• Stay home if you're sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough

• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

Shelby County Health Department Updates

The Shelby County Health Department's latest updates on the Coronavirus outbreak can be found athttps://insight.livestories.com/s/v2/shelby-county-health-department-covid-19/db01f01b-3f9d-460a-9548-1db37ed0ccbd

The Health Department's Covid-19 Call Center can be reached at 833-943-1658. This line is open 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday through Sunday.

Shelby County Schools Update

All schools and district offices of Shelby County Schools are closed through April 6 due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Learning Guides and online resources during this period can be found here: https://www.scsk12.org/instructionalresources/index

According to its website: The Parent Welcome Center can still be reached by phone during regular business hours at (901) 416-5300. The Office of Student Records can be reached at (901) 416-5830. All other in-person and phone support will not be available during the closure.

Social Security Administration Update

The Social Security Administration has provided guidance for beneficiaries during the virus outbreak here: https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/. Please note that local Social Security offices are not able to offer in-person assistance during the ongoing public health emergency.

IRS Guidance

The Internal Revenue Service last week announced it has moved the tax filing deadline from April 15 to July 15. Additional guidance related to the IRS response to the coronavirus outbreak can be found here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-operations-during-covid-19-mission-critical-functions-continue

Student Loan Repayment

The U.S. Education Department announced last weekthat it will allow student loan borrowers to suspend payments for 60 days without penalty. This postponement is not automatic, and you must call your loan provider.

Driver Guidance/Automobile Emissions Testing

Tennessee Driver Services has suspended issuing REAL ID through May 18, 2020. Emissions testing requirements have been waived through May 18.

Applying for Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance Loans

The Small Business Administration (SBA)'s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact. The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75 percent. For detailed information about how to receive support, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

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