CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019

Resources for State Legislators and Staff

NBCSL is committed to providing our members with resources and essential knowledge needed to guide state actions in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), which has now been declared a global pandemic.

The spread of the coronavirus continues to be a top concern and, while the federal government leads the national response to COVID-19, state lawmakers are taking extra steps to respond to and anticipate impacts of the virus. We hope you find the following resources, gathered from the CDC, EPA and other federal agencies; the World Health Organization (WHO); our counterparts at the National Caucus of State Legislators, and other, helpful as you work to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of your constituents.

The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America

On March 16, 2020, President Trump and the coronavirus task force released new guidelines to address COVID-19. Among new guidelines: Over the next 15 days, Americans should not gather in groups of more than 10 people, schooling should be at home and discretionary travel and social visits should be avoided. If anyone in a household tests positive for the virus, everyone who lives there should stay home.

15 Days to Slow the Spread

  • Listen and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
  • If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
  • If your children are sick, keep them at home. Do not send them to school. Contact your medical provider.
  • If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.
  • If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.
  • If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.
  • Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
  • Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.
  • If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
  • Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
  • Avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts - use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options.
  • Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
  • Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
  • Practice good hygiene:
  • Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
  • Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.

*School operations can accelerate the spread of the coronavirus. Governors of states with evidence of community transmission should close schools in affected and surrounding areas. Governors should close schools in communities that are near areas of community transmission, even if those areas are in neighboring states. In addition, state and local officials should close schools where coronavirus has been identified in the population associated with the school. States and localities that close schools need to address childcare needs of critical responders, as well as the nutritional needs of children.

**Older people are particularly at risk from the coronavirus. All states should follow Federal guidance and halt social visits to nursing homes and retirement and long-term care facilities.

***In states with evidence of community transmission, bars, restaurants, food courts, gyms, and other indoor and outdoor venues where groups of people congregate should be closed.

Click here to download The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America: 15 Days to Slow the Spread flyer.

As a reminder, the CDC’s official Coronavirus website – www.coronavirus.gov – is the best source for up-to-date information and guidance.



Who Should Get Tested?

The HHS provided clear recommendations for prioritizing COVID-19 testing for individuals. Given that we are still ramping of testing availability in the private sector, this uniform guidance is particularly important for states and private labs.

There re three categories for States and clinical laboratories to utilize as they develop strategies to prioritize COVID-19 testing in their communities. Download the infographic to learn more about the three categories and why we must prioritize these populations.

What Steps Have States Taken to Address Coronavirus?

As the federal government leads the national response to COVID-19, state and local health departments stand on the front lines. State health officials continue to work with the CDC, federal authorities and other health agencies to ensure proactive and collaborative measures. To date, 29 States and the District of Columbia have issued emergency declarations. To see the latest updates on state declarations of emergency and for information on state-specific resources and actions, please visit the National Governors Association webpage.

Continuity of Government


Federal Resources (agency-by-agency information and guidance): 


About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

How to protect yourself against COVID-19

Quarantine and Isolation

Public health quarantine and isolation are legal authorities that may be, but rarely are, implemented to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. 

Quarantine and isolation are defined as:

Quarantine: Compulsory separation, including restriction of movement, of people who potentially have been exposed to a contagious disease, until it can be determined whether they have become sick or no longer pose a risk to others. This determination could be made, for example, based on the time elapsed from their potential exposure.

Isolation: Separation of people known or suspected (via signs, symptoms or laboratory criteria) to be infected with a contagious disease from those who are not sick to prevent them from transmitting the disease to others.


Additional Resources & Guidance

Small Business Resources

Education (K-12)


Insurance Coverage Guidelines re COVID-19


Additional Resources: COVID-19 Resources from our CRT Members and Others.

 

NBCSL COVID-19 Response Webinar Resources: 

On Friday April, 24, 2020, NBCSL held its first in a series of COVID-19 related weminars.  The following resources were presented and highlighted during the webinar. We are pleased to share them with our membership.

  • Panelist; Dr Niva Lubin-Johnson, Immediate Past President of the National Medical Association -  Webinar reference video. - Click here
  • Dr Niva Lubin-Johnson's "Probability of Contagion" diagram - Click here 
  • Panelist; Michael Griffin, CEO Daughters of Charity Health, New Orleans - Public Health Persceptives presentation - Click here
  • Panelist; State Representative Vivian Flowers (AR), NBCSL Region X Chair & COVID-19 Work Group Chair - Presentation on "Dispelling myths about COVID-19" - Click here
  • NBCSL COVID-19 (101) Webinar of Arpil 24, 2020  -  Webinar link.

NBCSL COVID-19 Webinar of May 21, 2020 - COVID-19: Where is the $$$ and, How Do We Get It?
Presentations and Webinar Video

AALSCC COVID-19 Webinar  Resources: 


NBCSL COVID-19 Education Webinar of August 6, 2020


NBCSL Policy Related COVID-19 Resources:



Keeping America Connected During COVID-19

covid connected

Our Corporate Round Table (CRT) members Comcast and Verizon are doing their part to keep ALL Americans connected to the Internet through the Coronavirus pandemic. Verizon will help customers and small businesses disrupted by the impact of the coronavirus, by waiving late fees and keep residential and small business customers connected if negatively impacted by this global crisis. Comcast is supporting low income households through the coronavirus pandemic by offering new Internet Essentials customers, 60 days of complimentary service and increasing Internet speeds for that service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers.

To learn more about Verizon’s updated response to COVID-19, visit:

https://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-help-customers-and-small-businesses 

Versizon has also updated its FCC pledge - Click here for more.

For more information and updates from Comcast related to Coronavirus, visit:

http://www.comcastcorporation.com/COVID-19/

Comcast Extends Comprehensive COVID-19 Response Policies To June 30  - Click here for details
We have much to accomplish together.  Learn about our legislative and private sector memberships.
BECOME A MEMBER