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Dear Friend,

I am writing to check in on you and your family during this time of “social distancing.” Living during this time of the Coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) is forcing us to slow down and enjoy being at home. As a campaign, our top priority is your safety and well being. Know that we will continue to share with you information from what we feel are reliable sources about the state of the virus and its effect on our community.

COVID-19 Information Resources

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Florida Department of Health -  COVID-19 webpage [link removed]

World Health Organization - [link removed] [link removed]

Center for Disease Control and Prevention - [link removed] [link removed]

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the DOH’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day. Inquiries may also be emailed to [email protected] mailto:[email protected]?subject=COVID-19.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On March 11th, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY-17) introduced the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201). Fortunately, this bill passed the House with an overwhelming bipartisan majority on March 14th. The bill is designed to make it easier to contain the outbreak, slow the spread of the virus, and work towards a comprehensive approach to test and treat those infected.

This legislation does the following:

Free testing for coronavirus: All individuals who need a test, including those with private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), TRICARE and VA health care, as well as the uninsured, will have access at no cost.

Paid emergency leave: The bill provides two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of job-protected leave to allow workers to follow quarantine recommendations and care for their family members impacted by the virus.

Enhanced unemployment insurance: It extends emergency unemployment insurance to help cover workers who are furloughed or quarantined due to an outbreak in their workplaces.

Food security: It expands food assistance through the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program, food banks, Meals on Wheels, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and provides electronic benefit transfer amounts to families who would usually receive free and reduced-price meals at school.

Health security: It invests additional federal funding into Medicaid to give states the option to expand Medicaid coverage for COVID-19 testing.

*Above information received from Congressman Ted Deutch

Representative Matt Gaetz did not vote on this important legislation.  Instead, he repeatedly spoke against the bill on cable television during his self-quarantine from possible exposure to COVID-19.

Take these steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing:

1. Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also, watch for a cough or trouble breathing.

2. Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period. Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work.

3. Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.

4. Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.

5. Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).

Recommended strategies for employers to use now:

1. Actively encourage sick employees to stay home

2. Allow non-essential employees to work from home for the next 2 weeks

3. Perform routine environmental cleaning

4. If an employee has to travel, advise them to look at the CDC website [link removed]

Santa Rosa Polling Location Change

Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections Tappie A. Villane has announced an emergency polling location change for the Tuesday presidential preference primary election.

Precincts 28 and 37 have been changed from Community Life United Methodist Church to the Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park in Gulf Breeze.

The elections office was informed late Friday that the Community Life United Methodist Church would not be available as a polling place.

On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The final day of early voting is 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Visit votesantarosa.com [link removed] find the nearest early voting location. 

*Information from Pensacola News Journal

Stay Safe and Care for One Another

The #EhrForce strongly urges you to do everything you need to do to stay safe. Be sure that you are monitoring and following the CDC, the World Health Organization, and Florida’s Department of Health. This time calls for us to keep an eye on each other as this has nothing to do with party affiliation.  To beat this pandemic, we must work together in good faith and ‘common unity.’

Please wash your hands regularly, do not touch your face, and do not attend large gatherings of people. Our senior citizens are especially vulnerable to the virus and should take extra precautions and avoid crowds. The CDC recommends all people with underlying health conditions and adults over 60 should maintain a reserve of medication and grocery items. It is also recommending that this population remain home if at all possible to avoid contact with others that may be infected.

Although we are not medical providers, you can also follow our updates on Facebook [link removed], Twitter [link removed], and Instagram [link removed]. We will be keeping an eye on what these officials have to say about the COVID-19 pandemic. Please, share this email with others that may benefit from the information and stay tuned for our next update. Also, take time to thank a public servant. We are thankful for the health care workers, law enforcement officers that are working around the clock to protect our community. My thoughts and prayers are with our deployed military and all families separated by this pandemic.

Stay healthy,

Phil

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Phil Ehr is a retired U.S. Navy commander and Democratic candidate challenging Matt Gaetz for Florida’s 1st Congressional District.  Phil is a husband, father, community volunteer, and U.S. Navy veteran who rose from Seaman to Commander in a 26-year active duty career.  Phil flew reconnaissance missions in the Cold War, Desert Storm, and post-9/11 operations.  He provided strategic advice to senior leaders in Washington, London, and NATO. Phil is fighting to restore honor and integrity to Northwest Florida’s congressional representation.  With your help, we will fight for an economy that is fair for working people, children, and seniors.  We will correct failing polices on health care, education, the environment, public safety, and national security. We will defend freedom, equality, liberty, and justice for all.  Join the “Ehr Force” today! [link removed]

P. O. Box 9818, Pensacola, FL  32513 | All content © 2019 Ehr for Congress, All Rights Reserved.

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