The PA CARES Plan aims to direct federal funding to those hit hardest by pandemic
Many of our small businesses have been crushed by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, which is why Senator Hughes and the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus are pushing to prioritize recovery efforts targeted at small businesses.
Pennsylvania is set to receive about $4 billion in discretionary federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding and the Senate Democrats have created the PA CARES Plan that would allocate the funding to areas that help those hit hardest by the pandemic. In this plan $425 million in aid would be directed to Pennsylvania’s small businesses to help provide a lifeline across the commonwealth.
The PA CARES Plan also prioritizes funding for historically disadvantaged communities, including funding for grants to minority businesses, which were overlooked in federal recovery efforts. Black and brown communities have felt the effects of the pandemic at disproportionately high rates and recovery in these communities will take additional resources to help address the historic underfunding in these areas.
There are still a number of resources for small businesses, but it is also important that business owners and their patrons let local, state, and federal elected officials know small businesses are important and deserve assistance to get through this pandemic. Call your legislators and let them know recovery resources should start with our small businesses.
Stay up to date with the latest information on the pandemic at senatorhughes.com/coronavirus. Please do your part to help stop the spread of the virus. Stay safe, stay at home, and don’t forget to wash your hands!
Here is guide issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, helping provide clear guidance and direction in response to coronavirus COVID-19. The residents of Philadelphia and its suburbs have been ordered to remain at home as to help prevent spread of coronavirus, find out what that means for you.
Montgomery County is doing the same.
Here are some reminders about preventing spread of the disease:
Best practices to plan, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Symptoms of the COVID-19 can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying.
What to do if you think you have coronavirus COVID-19, according to the CDC:
- Stay home except to get medical care
- Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor
- Wear a facemask if you are sick
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Clean your hands often
- Avoid sharing personal household items
- Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday
For more details on what to do prevent coronavirus COVID-19 spread, visit the CDCs full list of recommendations.
Read more: CDC recommendations on getting tested for coronavirus
