COVID-19 Resources

It is incredibly important that we continue to work together as a nation to combat the spread of COVID-19. This page aims to serve as a place to find resources to answer any COVID-19 related questions. You can also reach out to my office with any questions you may have. I will continue to monitor this situation closely and work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that my constituents are prepared and receive the care they need.

For Information on Economic Impact Payments Click HERE.

• Information for those who did NOT file a tax return for 2019 or 2018.
• Information for those who DID file a tax return for 2019 or 2018.

Resources for Small Businesses:

• Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development
• SBA Disaster Assistance
• Paycheck Protection Program
  • FAQ
  • Lenders
  • Borrowers
  • Application for Borrowers
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan
  • In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid. To apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan, click here.

Resources for Employees:

• Unemployment FAQ
• Paid Sick Leave / Family & Medical Leave
• Jobs4TN

Information for Veterans:

The VA is working directly with the CDC and other federal partners to monitor the outbreak of COVID-19. These measures include outreach to Veterans and staff, clinical screening at VA health care facilities, and protective procedures for patients. Additional guidance is available from the VA here.

Private Sector Donations:

• For vendors wanting to provide their services to help the State respond, please email COVID.PPEVENDORS@tn.gov.
• For Donations, please contact COVID.PPEDONATIONS@tn.gov.
• If you are a business that has PPE to donate, you can email covid.ppedonations@tn.gov
  • https://www.tn.gov/tema/news/2020/3/23/private-sector-ppe-donations.html

Rumor Control:

Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. To help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, FEMA has developed a webpage with answers to common questions. These include rumors about a national lockdown, 2-week federal quarantine, and deployment of military assets. To review the facts, visit FEMA's Rumor Control Center here.

Tennessee Health Resources:

• The State of Tennessee Department of Health
  • ​Coronavirus Assessment Sites in Tennessee
• The Hamilton County Health Department
• The Scott County Health Department
• The Anderson County Health Department
• The Campbell County Health Department
• The Polk County Health Department
• McMinn County Health Department
• Monroe County Health Council

Preventative Measures to Combat the Spread of COVID-19:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Please note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against cruise ship travel worldwide, and recommended that older adults or people with underlying health issues avoid "crowded places, [and] non-essential travel such as long plane trips."

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 – fever, cough, shortness of breath – and have been in close contact with a person known to have coronavirus or have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19, make sure to contact your health care provider immediately.

If you think you may have coronavirus, the CDC recommends calling your provider ahead of time for guidance on how the facility is handling cases before visiting the hospital in order to keep others from being exposed.

Travel Restrictions & Guidance from the U.S. State Department:

• The CDC and U.S. State Department recommend that U.S. travelers avoid all non-essential travel. Guidance regarding all domestic and international travel is available here.
• The State Department is taking action to safeguard U.S. citizens overseas, protect the homeland, advance the Administration's commitment to building global health security capacity for this and future outbreaks, and reduce the impact for U.S. companies and supply chains overseas. For further information on travel advisories, international aid, and other efforts, please visit https://www.state.gov/coronavirus/.
• Travelers are also strongly encouraged to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate them in an emergency. The only way for missions abroad to know that an American is in the country is to register through STEP. Once they do so, the mission will not only know whether the citizen is present on the ground but will also be able to send that person updates in real time. This is the quickest way for Americans to receive the most up to date information where they are.
• The State Department has created a 24-hour public hotline for Americans abroad who are impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. For callers in the U.S. and Canada, the number is 888-407-4747. For those dialing from overseas, the number is 202-501-4444

Congressional Updates:

In early March, I voted to secure $8.3 billion in emergency funding to help combat coronavirus (COVID-19). The emergency supplemental facilitates expedited vaccine development, assists local and state health departments, and provides the necessary resources to purchase essential equipment and supplies.

On March 13^th, I voted again in support of critical legislation to combat COVID-19, which included measures to ensure free testing and to support of nations most vulnerable.

On March 18^th, I sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration urging them to approve a waiver for the Baylor School to conduct testing. Baylor started testing the following week.

On March 27^th , I voted in support of the CARES Act which provided huge amounts of economic relief for families and small businesses across this nation.

On March 29^th, I joined the entire Tennessee delegation in urging President Trump to quickly approve Governor Lee's request for additional federal assistance for the state of Tennessee to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic.