The pandemic caused by coronavirus COVID-19 is having a major impact on the 7th Senatorial District. Montgomery County is the epicenter of the outbreak in Pennsylvania, and officials have recommended Philadelphia and its suburban counties shutdown all non-essential businesses and services.  

Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website on coronavirus COVID-19 for the latest on the virus.  

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Recommendations from the CDC on how to address coronavirus 

What is closed:

• Businesses statewide
• Schools
• PennDOT Centers (Note: Driver licenses, photo ID cards, learner’s permits, vehicle registrations, safety inspections, emissions inspections,  Persons with Disabilities Parking Placards scheduled to expire from March 16 through March 31, 2020, the expiration date is now extended until April 30, 2020.) 

Updates from Senator Hughes

Workers’ Compensation (WC) Benefits

Two filing options: 

• If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19 in your workplace, you may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation (WC) by either: 

• Notifying your employer to file a typical “disease-as-injury” WC claim, which requires you to provide medical evidence that you were exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace 

• Notifying your employer to file an “occupational disease” WC claim, which requires you to show that COVID-19 is occurring more in your occupation/industry than in the general population 

Claims: 

• All WC claims (including COVID-19) are thoroughly reviewed, and decisions are made based on the facts and merits of each claim and the law 
• If your COVID-19 claim is denied, you may file a petition with the WC Office of Adjudication 
• Learn more about Workers’ Compensation and the Injured Worker 

Find Food Locations

The school districts of Montgomery County and Philadelphia are making meals available for students during the week. Local food banks, kitchens and nonprofits are stepping up to help as well, follow the link to Philabundance’s website, enter your zip code and find locations.

• Montgomery County
• Philadelphia
• Philabundance

City, School District, and Charters Announce Changes in Free Student Meal Distribution Sites

PHILADELPHIA – In light of the City and State emergency closures, the City, School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Housing Authority and several charter schools have created a new list of schools and community sites that are distribution points for student meals. These additions also come with changes to the days in which meals will be available for distribution. 

School meal sites and schedules will change beginning Monday, March 23. In addition, Parks & Recreation sites are no longer distributing student meals beginning March 23.

All meal sites will continue to be open from 9 a.m. until noon, but the locations and frequency of distribution are changed. Revisions to the meals distribution program include:

• School District sites (49 total) will be open Mondays and Thursdays only. Families can pick up three grab-and-go bags per student/child on these days. 
• School District sites will continue to make available the K-12 Learning Guides, optional resources to help reduce learning regression while students are out of school due to efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 throughout the Philadelphia region. 
• Charter school sites (25 total) are also open from 9 a.m. until noon. Families are encouraged to check the charter schools websites for days of meal distribution.
• Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) community centers (6 total) are also open from 9 a.m. until noon. Families are encouraged to visit http://www.pha.phila.gov/ for days of meal distribution.

The following 80 schools and Philadelphia Housing Authority locations are distributing meals, beginning March 23, 2020:

District schools open Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. – noon.

Families will receive six meals per student—3 breakfasts and 3 lunches

Charter school locations open on varying days from 9 a.m. to noon. (contact schools or visit their websites for exact days): 

The Philadelphia Housing Authority has six community centers open for “grab-and-go” meals for breakfast and lunch from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon beginning on March 23.

A list and interactive map of the 80 sites are available on phila.gov.

Testing services for COVID-19 

• You will need a prescription from your doctor, and some providers are able to offer services virtually/over the phone. 
• If you’re going to any medical facility in person, call before you go. 
• If you don’t have a fever, you’re not eligible for a screening… even if you’ve been traveling internationally, had a known exposure, etc. 
• For testing: 

• • State Hotline for COVID-19 
  • No provider? Call: 1-877-PA-HEALTH 
  • Have clinical questions? Call: 1-877-PA-HEALTH 
  • Or fill out contact form