LOCAL 385 CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES

IBT Coronavirus Resource Center

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is closely monitoring the global health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. They have built this resource center with all of the latest news.

Center for Disease Control Coronavirus Guidelines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the leading national public health institute of the United States. It is a United States federal agency, under the Department of Health and Human Services.

World Health Organization Coronavirus

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It is part of the U.N. Sustainable Development Group

Click to Download Local 385's Coronavirus Resources

Central States Pension Notice

Central States ReEmployment Rules

WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19 (for CoronaVIrus Disease discovered in 2019).

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF & OTHERS?

• The most common symptoms are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.
• Some may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.
• These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. 
• Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
• Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.
• Take everyday preventive actions to stay healthy.
• 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.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Stay informed. CDC's COVID-19 Situation Summary will be updated regularly as information becomes available.

FLORIDA INFORMATION

FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov 

FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov (Español)

FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov (Kreyole)

Florida Department of Health:

• The Florida Department of Health has established a dedicated Coronavirus (COVID19) call center (18667796121) for the public to call on Monday’s through Friday’s from 0800 hours to 1700 hours. In addition, the public can email COVID19@flhealth.gov for information. https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/
• Florida Department of Education:  http://fldoe.org/em-response/The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) is working closely with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor COVID-19 and is actively working to ensure that the most up-to-date CDC guidance is quickly and accurately disseminated. 
• Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Short Term Compensation for Employers: The Short-Time Compensation program helps employers retain their workforce in times of temporary slowdown by encouraging work sharing as an alternative to layoff.
• http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/covid19-toolkit.html

FLORIDA UNEMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

CONNECT's Website Florida's Online Reemployment Assistance System

State Assistance Hotline: 1-800-204-2418

Apply in English, Spanish, or Haitian Creole.

Who is Eligible?

• If you were laid off or sent home without pay for an extended period due to COVID-19 concerns, or 

• You are quarantined by a medical professional or a government agency,   

• You are caring for an immediate family member who diagnosed with COVID-19.

If you worked less than full time this week (starting last Sunday), apply now. Otherwise, apply this Sunday. 

What you need to apply:

• Social Security Number, Driver’s License or State ID

• Your last 18 months of employment (including name, separation reason, how much you earned, and dates of work). Best way to get this is to find your W-2 forms!

• Work authorization (if not a US citizen), DD-214 member 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 (if a military employee), SF 8 or SF 50 (if a federal employee)

• Your pre-tax wages (or “gross earnings”) for the current week starting Sunday.

• For direct deposit, you need your bank information, from a check or deposit slip. Otherwise, a debit card will be mailed to you.

WRITE DOWN AND KEEP YOUR ONLINE ID, PASSWORD, AND E-MAIL INFORMATION. YOU WILL NEED IT TO RECEIVE YOUR BENEFITS.

To File an Application: 

Complete your application at connect.myflorida.com.

NOTE: Florida has waived the obligation to apply for jobs to receive Reemployment Assistance. 

YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER and upload your resume at employflorida.org.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Veteran Resources:

• Veterans who are concerned they may have symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) are encouraged to contact the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center at 1-877-741-3400 ‎‎(toll free). Clinical staff provide 24/7 virtual care and support, including nurse advice ‎and triage. The service is available at no cost to veterans enrolled for care in the VA ‎Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8). ‎
• Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs is restricting visitor access to its State Veterans’ Nursing Homes and Domiciliary ‎until further notice, with the exception of essential visitors, such as ‎family members of those residents undergoing end-of-life care.
• The U.S. ‎Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has also temporarily restricted access to their nursing and ‎community living center facilities to only essential visitors until further notice.
• Identify a transfer point near the VA hospital where we could transfer the Veterans to an exclusive use vehicle that will shuttle the Veterans to the front entrance of the hospital.The Veterans Administration has no end date for the current alteration to their normal operations.

Preparedness Resources:

• Everbridge: http://go.everbridge.com/202023292749.html  This is a webinar with leading pandemic consultant Regina Phelps discussing the current COVID-19 outbreak.  It provides ten tips businesses can do now when it comes to crisis management and planning.
• NPR: This is a good article about home preparedness.

Financial Resources:

• PNC Bank: PNC is prepared to offer assistance, as needed, to impacted customers through a range of measures. Should you, as a current customer of PNC, encounter hardship as a result of the coronavirus, please call us at 1-888-762-2265 (7 a.m. ? 10 p.m. ET Monday ? Friday; 8 a.m. ? 5 p.m. ET Saturday & Sunday). We will continue to monitor the situation to determine potential extension or expansion of available assistance, and we will continue to communicate these decisions with you.
• The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is now accepting applications from companies whose cash flows have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will be administered through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity in partnership with the Florida Small Business Development Center Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporations. Loans are interest-free for up to one year.For additional information, including eligibility requirements and application forms, please use the following link: https://floridadisasterloan.org/
• Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association: FRLA continues to respond to the challenges Covid-19 presents across Florida’s hospitality industry. For more information, visit – https://frla.org/covid-19/
• United Way Organizations in Florida: https://www.unitedway.org/local/united-states/florida#

Fraud Alerts:

• Florida Department of Elderly Affairs:
• FL Attorney General’s office has a price-gouging hotline: 1-866-9-NOSCAM

Grocery Resources:

• Publix offers online shopping and delivery:

Student Resources:

• U-Haul offers free storage for up to 30 days for displaced students:
• Spectrum offers 60 days of free internet for K12 and college students:

Tax Information:

• Effective today, March 16, 2020, all VITA site locations have been closed due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) until further notice.   If anyone is looking for free tax preparation services, please tell them to call 211 for tax filing options or to try to do by themselves using the link https://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/ with  different free online tax software companies or  directly to www.myfreetaxes.com