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Staying Safe and Informed
During the Coronavirus
Pandemic
Ohio State Senator Theresa Gavarone
Guest Column
We are facing unprecedented
times in Ohio due to the coronavirus pandemic, but I have no
doubt that through working together we will get past this
and come out on the other side even stronger. As a small
business owner in the restaurant industry, I personally
understand the hardships we are now facing together as a
result of this health crisis. Although the orders may seem
extreme at times, my understanding is they are being
implemented to help save lives. Accordingly, I wanted to
give an update and provide you with resources that you may
find useful during this time.
Both my staff and I will be
available to all people of the 2nd Senate District who are
in need of help communicating with state agencies or
accessing state resources, and listen to constituents’
concerns and questions. We can be reached by phone at
614-466-8060
or by emailing Gavarone@OhioSenate.gov.
These resources are
summarized below:
For the latest updates on
COVID-19 from the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, as well as
prevention information and resources, visit www.Coronavirus.Ohio.gov or
call the Department of Health’s hotline at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH
(1-833-427-5634). Follow on social media @OHdeptofhealth and
@GovMikeDeWine.
For UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
for affected workers, visit http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohio/Coronavirus (http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm)
.
* Ohioans can apply for
unemployment online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at
unemployment.ohio.gov. It’s also possible to file by phone
at (1-877-644-6562) or TTY at (888) 642-8203, Monday through
Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
* Employers with questions
should email UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov (mailto:UCTech@jfs.ohio.gov)
. More details available here: http://jfs.ohio.gov/RELEASES/pdf/031620-ODJFS-Provides-COVID-Number.stm (http://jfs.ohio.gov/RELEASES/pdf/031620-ODJFS-Provides-COVID-Number.stm)
For SMALL BUSINESSES seeking
relief, any small businesses and non-profits impacted by the
ongoing public health crisis are encouraged to contact
Ohio’s Development Services Agency at BusinessHelp@development.ohio.gov (mailto:BusinessHelp@development.ohio.gov)
.
* Governor DeWine’s
administration filed a request with the U.S. Small Business
Administration to qualify Ohio for the U.S. Small Business
Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program,
which has been approved(https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Declarations/DeclarationDetails?declNumber=6063436&direct=false),
providing low-interest loans to affected businesses. For
more information visit, https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance.
* The Small Business
Administration Disaster Relief has a three-step process for
funding/loan assistance, learn more here. For additional
help call (800) 659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
* For information on
one-time liquor buy backs for restaurants and bars, visit https://www.ohlq.com or
call (877) 812-0013.
For Ohioans struggling with
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION concerns, the Department of
Mental Health and Addiction Services is providing regular
updates and resources at https://mha.ohio.gov/Health-Professionals/About-Mental-Health-and-Addiction-Treatment/Emergency-Preparedness/Coronavirus.
For K-12 SCHOOLS, educators,
students and families, the Ohio Department of Education is
providing regular updates at http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Student-Supports/Coronavirus.
For new information on
EMERGENCY CHILDCARE resources, last week’s press release
from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services can be
found here http://jfs.ohio.gov/RELEASES/pdf/031720-ODJFS-Implements-Emergency-Child-Care-Measures-during-COVID-19-Pandemic.stm with
additional resources at http://emanuals.jfs.ohio.gov/ChildCare/ChildCareManual/CCMPL/CCMPL-137.stm.
For the latest information
about the postponement of Ohio’s PRIMARY ELECTION, visit https://www.ohiosos.gov/coronafacts/.
* The Ohio Senate is working
collaboratively with the Governor and the Secretary of State
in the coming days on any legislation necessary to deal with
this unique and challenging set of circumstances.
DAILY UPDATES from the
Governor: I encourage constituents to follow Governor
DeWine’s and Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton’s
daily 2 p.m. press conferences for the latest COVID-19
updates and resources. Those press conferences are available
live on Ohio’s public radio and television stations, as well
as on OhioChannel.org.
Many of Ohio’s newspapers
are also offering paywall-free COVID-19 coverage on their
websites.
Please continue to reach out
to me or my office, stay updated via my social media pages @TheresaGavarone,
and above all else, please stay safe and be smart. We will
get through this.
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