For some of us, staying at home is this strange, oxymoronic pleasure, for others it is a true struggle. I am honored at how the Blount community has come together to help each other; and in some cases, help others 1000 miles from home. My office remains open to serve as a resource for you during these challenging times. As I shelter in place, armed with your concerns and challenges, I am actively in contact with the Governor’s office, House Leadership, local government officials, and businesses of all sizes and types.
I’ve also spoken to countless advocates and associations who are already in the trenches, working with you through this historic pandemic. To that end, I’ve taken the time to go through all the information sent to me by these advocates, and have amassed a resource list for your ready use. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to be added to this list of resources contact my office. I will also continue to put out a legislative update via my email. With life changing daily, thank you for entrusting me with a great responsibility.
Resources & Links
Federal
The President’s Coronavirus Task Force daily press briefings can be viewed each day at 4:00 PM CST here White House Live Feed
For information on COVID-19 at the federal level in general, visit this Link
- The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) https://www.coronavirus.gov/smallbusiness
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
- Lamar Alexander https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/
- Marsha Blackburn https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/
- Tim Burchett https://burchett.house.gov/
- IRS https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments or 1-800-829-1040
- Economic impact payments: What you need to know
- Social Security Recipients Will Automatically Receive Economic Impact Payments
- The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 and Form RRB-1099 to generate $1,200 Economic Impact Payments to Social Security recipients who did not file tax returns in 2018 or 2019. Recipients will receive these payments as a direct deposit or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits. this is available for at this link or visit gov.
- CDC https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- The World at a glance:
- John’s Hopkins Resource Center map of Covid-19 https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
- WHO https://www.who.int/
State
Who is considered an essential service https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19/essential-services.html
- Gov. Daily Bulletins https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19/covid-19-daily-bulletin.html
- Gov. Media Briefings https://sts.streamingvideo.tn.gov/Mediasite/Catalog/catalogs/mediasiteadmin-covid-19-media-briefing
- Gov. Executive Orders https://sos.tn.gov/products/division-publications/executive-orders-governor-bill-lee
- Unified Command https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19/unifiedcommand.html
- Health https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19.html
- Mental Health TA resources for the field related to COVID-19. https://samhsa.gov/coronavirus
- Prevention Hotlines
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 http://tspn.org/
- Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- TN Crisis Line (Mental Health): 1-855-274-7471
- Helen Ross McNabb https://www.mcnabbcenter.org/
- Remote Testing Sites: https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19/remote-assessment-sites.html
- File for Unemployment https://www.tn.gov/workforce.html
- TN Talent Exchange/ Jobs 4 TN https://www.tn.gov/workforce/covid-19/jobs.html
- Department of Revenue https://www.tn.gov/revenue/news—events/hot-topics-main/hot-topics/covid-19-updates.html
- Department of Human Services https://www.tn.gov/humanservices.html
- Family Assistance https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/news/2020/3/25/financial-aid-available-for-certain-families-that-lost-employment-due-to-covid-19.html
- Daycare Assistance https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/Guidance-FAQs-3.17.20.pdf
- Guidance FAQ’s https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/Guidance-FAQs-3.17.20.pdf
- Governor’s Grants https://www.tn.gov/finance/governor-s-local-government-support-grants.html
- DMV/Real ID
- Effective immediately, the Department of Safety is waiving its requirement that citizens appear in person and have a new photograph taken through October 1, 2021. This will allow many customers with expiring credentials to renew online and not visit in person.
- All Driver Licenses, Learner Permits, Commercial Driver Licenses, Photo Identification Licenses (ID), and Handgun Carry Permits that would expire between March 12, 2020, and May 19, 2020, will be extended for six (6) months from the original expiration date. The Department will issue a letter of extension to the individuals affected. Affected individuals will be required to keep the letter with them during the extension period.
- The federal government has delayed the Oct. 1, 2020 deadline to acquire a Real ID. The new deadline is Oct. 1, 2021.
- At this time, all emissions testing requirements have been waived through May 18, 2020.
- Education
- Update https://www.tn.gov/education/health-and-safety/update-on-coronavirus.html
- FAQ’s https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/education/health-&-safety/FAQ%20for%20High%20School%20Programs_CCTE.pdf
- PBS Education https://www.tn.gov/education/pbsteaching.html
- ReadyRosie https://readyrosie.com/en/tn/?mc_cid=636e02acc6&mc_eid=e6624a3c8b for 0-3rd grade
- Khans academy https://www.khanacademy.org/
Local
- Blount County https://www.blounttn.org/1684/COVID-19-Information
- United Way Call 211 http://tn211.mycommunitypt.com/
- Blount County Partnership https://www.blountchamber.com/coronavirus/
- Blount County Community Action Agency Programs https://www.blountcaa.org/programs/
Includes Smiles, financial home assistance, food program and more. - Blount County Library https://www.blounttn.org/197/Public-Library
- Alcoa City Schools https://www.alcoaschools.net/
- Blount County Schools http://www.blountk12.org/
- Maryville City Schools https://www.maryville-schools.org/
- Daily Times https://www.thedailytimes.com/covid19/
Please Donate
National Organizations
- Lilly Insulin Value Program https://www.lilly.com/
- The American Diabetes Association. https://www.diabetes.org/coronavirus-covid-19
- American Dental Assn https://www.ada.org/en
- American Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNGUSA or the option to submit a question online.