Daily Coronavirus Update - April 16, 2020

" We love our rolling hills and majestic mountains here in Almost Heaven. The fact that we're home to rural communities and small businesses is a blessing, but their location can sometimes make them challenging to serve. Small businesses have always been the backbone of our home state and they are in need right now as much as they are anywhere else in the nation. I'm fighting to ensure our rural small businesses, as well as our rural hospitals, get their fair share. "

- Joe

manchin.senate.gov/coronavirus

ATTENTION, BUSINESSES!

Your feedback is needed so that we can provide you with the resources and support you need. The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the West Virginia Development Office, the West Virginia Association of Regional Councils, and the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority to maximize stimulus funds in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two surveys have been created for businesses to help measure the impact and better understand recovery needs.

I encourage West Virginia businesses to fill out the Business Impact Survey to report the issues you are facing because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  I urge businesses who would like to update their opening and closing times to fill out the Business Locator and Operations Survey.  To take the surveys, please click here.

WORKING FOR YOU

MANCHIN: CONGRESS MUST APPROVE MORE FUNDING FOR RURAL SMALL BUSINESSES

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) running out of funding for loans to American businesses and the need for Congress to approve additional funding. 

“West Virginia small businesses are hurting. It’s time to stop the partisan bickering and come together to fix this. Congress must act in a bipartisan way to quickly invest more funding into the PPP and we need to do so in a way that protects small businesses and healthcare providers like those across rural West Virginia. In an analysis of PPP funds approved for distribution, West Virginia ranked 45th out of 50 states. We know our small businesses have as much need as businesses in larger, more populated states and we must ensure there is dedicated funding for small businesses in rural communities like ours,” Senator Manchin said. “Finally, many of our rural hospitals are struggling to stay afloat and we need to allow them to be eligible to apply for SBA loans. We cannot afford to lose a single rural hospital, especially during this healthcare crisis. As a country we have always come together during a crisis and I believe we will do so again and get this funding out the door as quickly as possible.”

MANCHIN HEARS FROM WEST VIRGINIA BROADCASTERS, EDUCATORS AMID CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Charleston, WV –  U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) participated in separate calls with the West Virginia Broadcasters Association and the West Virginia Education Association to hear their concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, West Virginians are relying on local news to inform them of what is going on across the nation and in our state. Students across the Mountain State are relying on their teachers to be innovative and create new ways for their students to learn from home. We are in unprecedented times, and our broadcasters and teachers are stepping up and providing West Virginians and students with vital information and an essential education. Today I heard from both the West Virginia Broadcasters Association and the West Virginia Education Association who shared their concerns with me about the coronavirus. I appreciate the hard work of the members of these organizations and thank them for serving West Virginians every day,” said Senator Manchin.

WV STRONG

I was always taught that if you can count your blessings, you can share your blessings. It's my privilege to share some inspirational stories from those on the ground who are donating their time and energy to helping their fellow West Virginians. These are just a few of the countless acts of kindness happening in our state every single day. Share your stories or recommend someone to be recognized for being WV Strong by emailing WVSTRONG@manchin.senate.gov.

Today’s Better Angels are all of our AmeriCorps volunteers, like Mykaela Handschumacher from Pleasants County (pictured below).

The Coronavirus crisis has left many students feeling frightened, worried and overwhelmed. During this time of need, Education Alliance AmeriCorps Mentors are continuing their service mentoring 900 students in 35 schools across West Virginia.

They are helping by:
-Virtual mentoring, which includes phone calls, emails, video mentoring sessions.
-Mailing home letters to students and families.
-Checking in with students to encourage them to complete homework packets.
-Virtual book reading and shared reading with students.
-Collecting food donations for community food banks.

Thank you to Dana Bryant at Volunteer WV for sharing.

WV 211

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) is encouraging West Virginians to utilize the 2-1-1 program operated by United Way of West Virginia. 2-1-1 connects callers with health and human services resources through trained certified specialists. Anyone can call 2-1-1 to learn about specific programs, intake requirements, eligibility, operation hours and more.

“United Way of West Virginia provides an important service to West Virginians by helping users navigate the vast number of resources available to aid with healthcare issues, food shortages, mental health questions and more. This program is more important now than ever as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic and I commend United Way for continuing to serve their fellow West Virginians through this time,” Senator Manchin said.

“United Way’s new 2-1-1 will make information on a wide variety of local support services more accessible across our entire state,” said United Way of Central WV President, Margaret O’Neal. “Whether it’s information for locating a health clinic, finding child care programs, or getting housing assistance, 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, go-to resource for individuals and families.”

To utilize these resources West Virginians can:

Call 2-1-1
Text your zip code to 898-211
Visit http://www.wv211.org/contact
Call toll-free 1-833-848-9905

RESOURCES

Our office is working diligently to bring you the most up-to-date information as it becomes available. Click the links below for more information. All information regarding resources and more can be found on Senator Manchin's website. 

Unemployment

Veterans Assistance

Basic Needs

Business Assistance

Volunteer

Feeling Ill?

Any new or updated information will be posted below.

• IRS Economic Impact Payment Information Center: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center.  This additional information can be found here on our website.

TESTING / COLLECTION LOCATIONS

Where can I get a test? This is a question my office has received since the beginning of this pandemic. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list; there may be more testing sites out there that are added daily.  In order to provide as much reliable information as possible, I am including testing sites that are verified through an official communication or news release.

I will keep this section of my newsletter and my website as up-to-date as possible.  For any organizations or health care organizations who would like their site listed, or who have updates on their hours or requirements, please email me at common_sense@manchin.senate.gov .

It is recommended that you seek testing only when you begin exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Click here to view the screening criteria. To report your symptoms and be directed to one of the available testing sites, contact your primary care doctor or a designated hotline for your area. Most, if not all, sites require a physician's order before testing. If you have gone through these steps and are still having issues getting a test, please email me at common_sense@manchin.senate.gov and a member of my staff will reach out to you to see if we can assist.

Click here for WV DHHR's latest updates to reported COVID-19 cases

Click here to find a testing site near you.

Any new additions or updates will be included below.

CONTACT US

Email: common_sense@manchin.senate.gov  

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Or call the Charleston Office Toll-Free: (855) 275-5737