May 11, 2020

manchin.senate.gov/coronavirus

 

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 Chris Iames and his wife Pam, of Mineral County. Chris is the owner of Med-A-Save Pharmacy in Keyser and Pam is a certified respiratory tech. Together, they teamed up with a winery in Cumberland to make and distribute hand sanitizer to local and state police, EMS stations, and healthcare facilities. This is an outstanding example of having the resources and ability to do something good and then taking action for the betterment of your community.

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WORKING FOR YOU

MANCHIN BILL TO HELP SERVICEMEMBERS AND FAMILIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced a bipartisan bill to expand the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to provide additional legal protections for servicemembers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SCRA provides legal protection to servicemembers to prevent them from being taken advantage of while on duty or deployed, and can postpone or suspend financial or civil obligations – including preventing foreclosures, evictions or repossession of a vehicle under the right circumstances. The Senators’ legislation expands SCRA protections to servicemembers who were previously issued orders to change duty stations but, due to the global pandemic, received a stop movement order and may have a housing or car lease in two different locations.

“Our servicemembers and their families sacrifice every day to keep our nation safe, and during the COVID-19 pandemic we must do everything possible to ensure those impacted by the pandemic are taken care of. Many military families lives’ have been put on hold while orders to move to new stations are halted and plans are suspended. This bill will help those families with leasing issues and other assistance, and I look forward to working with my bipartisan colleagues to pass this legislation to help our military families,” said Senator Manchin.

MANCHIN HEARS FROM MAIN STREET FAIRMONT, MARION COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AMID CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) participated in a call with Main Street Fairmont and the Marion County Chamber of Commerce to hear their concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“In West Virginia our Main Streets are the lifeblood of our communities and they are hurting due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused many businesses to close their doors. Our small and local businesses need help to stay afloat during this pandemic and while Congress has allocated funding to help our small businesses, the funding is still not reaching many who need it. Today I spoke with Main Street Fairmont and the Marion County Chamber of Commerce and listened to their concerns about the effects of the pandemic on their businesses and communities. Our efforts in Washington should be benefitting Main Street not Wall Street and I will continue fighting for the mom and pop shops in West Virginia to ensure they receive the help they need,” said Senator Manchin.

MANCHIN, ERNST TO INTRODUCE BILL TO GIVE NATIONAL GUARDSMEN RESPONDING TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC TRANSITIONAL HEALTHCARE BENEFITS

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced they will introduce the Support Our National Guard Act next week. This bill will provide transitional healthcare benefits to National Guard servicemembers who have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic under Title 32 502(f) orders.

When a National Guard servicemember deploys on an operation abroad, the federal government provides that Guardsman with transition benefits when they return home to ensure there is no lapse in healthcare coverage. However, National Guardsmen serving on Title 32 502(f) orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic do not receive those same benefits. The Support Our National Guard Act will provide National Guard servicemembers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with those benefits because of their efforts on the front lines of the crisis.

“As we fight the COVID-19 pandemic, our National Guard servicemembers are on the front lines, providing support for unemployment programs, feeding members of their communities, and ensuring hospitals receive essential PPE and other medical supplies. That’s why I successfully fought to extend National Guardsman Title 32 502(f) deployment orders to 31 days to ensure they received healthcare coverage while working on the front lines of the pandemic. Every day they put themselves at risk to take care of their fellow West Virginians, and I am proud to introduce bipartisan legislation with Senator Ernst to ensure our servicemembers receive the transition benefits they deserve. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation for our brave servicemembers,” said Senator Manchin.

MANCHIN, CAPITO ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $9.8 MILLION TO EXPAND COVID-19 TESTING IN HEALTH CENTERS ACROSS WEST VIRGINIA

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $9,833,557 to support 28 health centers in expanding their capacity for coronavirus testing. This funding is made as part of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump at the end of April.

“As states across America prepare to slowly reopen, we must work to expand COVID-19 testing capabilities across the country and in West Virginia to ensure we can safely open our businesses and communities,” said Senator Manchin. “Our health centers are on the front lines of the pandemic and continue to provide rapid COVID-19 testing for many West Virginians across the Mountain State. I will continue fight for our healthcare providers to ensure that they have resources they need to expand rapid testing and care for their fellow West Virginians.”

 

U.S. SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINATIONS

I know that despite these difficult times, many students still have their hearts set on applying to one of our U.S. Service Academies: West Point, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy. I am so pleased to have the honor of nominating West Virginia students to enter these prestigious schools once again. Below you will find additional information about the upcoming deadline as well as a link to the service academy page on my website. You are encouraged to submit all your information entirely online during this time but exceptions can be made if necessary. Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks.

  • Please be sure to complete the entire online application process.
  • Please make sure all the radial buttons have been selected in order to officially submit your application.
  • In order to be considered for a nomination, all application materials (including your online questionnaire) must be received and officially submitted online by 11:59 p.m., on Friday, October 2, 2020.
  • Once your application has been submitted, you cannot make changes; however, you may submit additional information.  If you must make any changes, please notify the Charleston office immediately by calling (304) 342-5855 , toll free at (855)-275-5737 , or by email at academy@manchin.senate.gov.

Click here for more information and to view the applications.

 

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

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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 & Direct Payments

Veterans Assistance

Basic Needs

Business Assistance

Volunteer

Feeling Ill?

 

Any new or updated information will be posted below. All information is updated daily on manchin.senate.gov/coronavirus.

             

 

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

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