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Insider's Report: Coronavirus and What You Need to Know As you know, the World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled the novel
coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) indicates that, most often, the spread of respiratory viruses
from person-to-person happen among close contacts (within 6 feet); however, at
this point, the transmissibility of the coronavirus is not fully understood.
Below is some information that you may find useful as you navigate through this
public health event.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions, such as heart
disease, diabetes and lung disease, are at higher risk of getting very sick from
the coronavirus. Learn your risks [link removed] and what you should do to prepare now.
HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK
According to the CDC, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus or
the flu, you should: Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, often. Use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Disinfect common surfaces, regularly.
Avoid non-essential travel and avoid crowds.
Contact your doctor if you think you are ill.
The CDC does not recommend healthy people wear facemasks unless they are health
care workers or people taking care of someone in a close setting.
If there is an outbreak of coronavirus in your community, older Americans are
also advised to make sure they have adequate household items and groceries on
hand, and to contact their health care provider to ask about obtaining extra
necessary medications if they need to stay home for a prolonged period of time.
For the latest updates and to learn more about how you can prepare here. [link removed]
IF YOU HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS ...
If you are experiencing fever, cough and shortness of breath, you are asked to
stay home and call your health care provider before seeking in-person care, so
you don’t spread the virus to others.
WILL MEDICARE PAY FOR TESTING?
Medicare beneficiaries will not have to pay any out-of-pocket costs related to
coronavirus testing and older Americans with Medicare may also have the option
to discuss their health with a doctor through virtual visits, also known as
telehealth. Once a vaccine for COVID-19 is found and ultimately made available
to the public, Medicare will cover it under Part D.
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Effective March 17, 2020, the Social Security Administration has decided to
close all local Social Security offices to the public for in-person service, in
order to protect customers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic. [link removed] Please consider becoming a member now [link removed] to help us keep the pressure on Congress. Your continued support is essential to
the National Committee's mission of protecting your earned benefits. DON'T CUT THE PAYROLL TAX!
While current stimulus legislation now rapidly moving forward in Congress does
not include a payroll tax cut, make no mistake: this dangerous proposal
continues to receive President Trump's support. And so it's not off the table.
The National Committee strongly opposes this proposal because it would divert
Social Security trust funds for purposes for which they were not intended, in
this case as a means to stimulate our economy.
It seems as though bad ideas never die in Washington. While the National
Committee agrees that providing tax relief to middle-class Americans is an
important consideration as we respond to the many possible economic and social
dislocations that may arise as a result of the coronavirus epidemic, we do not
believe that making cuts to or eliminating the Social Security payroll tax is an
appropriate way to accomplish this goal.
Any reductions to this vitally important revenue stream would threaten Social
Security's ability to continue paying benefits to the 64 million Americans who
depend on those benefits for their economic survival, by reducing the amount in
the trust funds from which benefits are being paid. The senior population, those
who are directly affected by taking their money from the trust fund, will not
see a single dime of relief from a payroll tax deduction, since most are not
working.
There are alternatives to the payroll tax cut which would be more targeted and
effective to stimulate an economy slowed by the spread of the coronavirus. For
example, a one-time payment by the federal government can put money in the hands
of taxpayers quickly, and the Making Work Pay Tax Credit can be passed by
Congress rapidly, as can an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit. And
spending in other programs that directly help those who lose employment as a
result of the coronavirus can be the most targeted relief of all. Bottom line, any proposal that targets Social Security by reducing the revenue
going into this program would hurt the very people it’s intended to help. Take Our Poll!
Right now there is growing anxiety about the coronavirus and the impact this
virus will have on people's health, finances and daily lives. And with each
passing day, more details and developments emerge about the coronavirus
outbreak. Some people are changing their behaviors (for example, canceling
trips, limiting interactions with others and washing their hands more
frequently) in an effort to avoid their exposure to the virus.
And so we want to know your response to the following question:
Do you plan to change your daily activities as a result of the coronavirus?
Take our poll now! [link removed] Ask Us
Did you know that a team of experts in the field of Social Security policy is
available to answer your questions about benefits? For 37 years, the National
Committee has been helping thousands of our members and supporters with a broad
range of concerns on Social Security.
Whether you're currently retired or approaching retirement, the National
Committee's "Ask Us"section can help answer your questions about Social Security. You can either
search our archives for valuable advice on a broad range of concerns at www.ncpssm.org/ask-us-recent/ [link removed] or email your question to
[email protected] mailto:
[email protected]?subject=.
This week's question is: Hi, I am a widow. Can I receive my own Social Security benefit before full
retirement age (FRA) and then switch to my late husband's benefit at FRA and
receive his full benefit?
Click here to read the answer. [link removed] Recent Headlines
Where is Social Security in Coverage of Trump Payroll Tax Cut Proposal? [link removed] (March 11, 2020, www.ncpssm.org, [link removed] Entitled to Know blog)
Giving People Money To Respond To COVID-19 Is A Good Idea. Here's How It Might Actually Work. [link removed] (March 12, 2020, Forbes, Elena Botella)
How To Boost Your Emergency Supply Of Prescription Medicines [link removed] (March 9, 2020, NPR, Patti Neighmond)
Nearly 1 in 4 Americans are skipping medical care because of the cost [link removed] (March 12, 2020, CNBC, Megan Leonhardt)
Op-Ed: One Way to Fix Social Security? Make Millionaires Pay More [link removed] (March 7, 2020, Money & Markets, Chad Stone)
Most nursing home visits banned as part of federal COVID-19 strategy [link removed] (March 15, 2020, McKnight's, James M. Berklan)
[link removed] [link removed] [link removed] [link removed] Member contributions to the National Committee, a nonprofit 501(c)(4)
organization, are not tax-deductible.
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