COVID-19: USA

• Department of Education's Readiness and Emergency Management (REMS) Technical Assistance Center (TAC) issues New Fact Sheet on Masks and PPE in the School Setting (04 Feb 2021) Federal partners have created a variety of resources and tools to help organizations, including schools and school districts, understand mitigation strategies they can consider implementing to protect students, staff, faculty, and visitors from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Providing face masks and PPE is one important workplace control, as noted in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, that can be used to protect the whole school community. 
• FEMA Releases New COVID-19 Resource Tools (15 Sept 2020) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created two new resource tools for COVID-19 pandemic recovery. The COVID-19 Resource Summary Report compiles available resources provided by federal departments and agencies, as well as information on what federal funding sources can be applied to specific areas for COVID-19 recovery. The report addresses potential overlap with FEMA Public Assistance. The COVID-19 Resource Roadmaps provide a deep-dive into specific topic areas and challenges associated with COVID-19 recovery. Roadmaps offers potential solutions and federal resources that could support recovery activities. To date, FEMA has published "COVID-19 Education Resource Roadmap," and "COVID-19 Food and Nutrition." FEMA will provide additional roadmaps for Healthcare, Housing and Economic Development by the end of September. Roadmaps use information that is either publicly available or publicly obtained, and should be used only for informational purposes. These resource tools were created by FEMA’s Recovery Support Function Leadership Group, and more information is available online.
• FEMA Releases “COVID-19 Supplement for Planning Considerations: Evacuations and Shelter-in-Pace” (08 Sept 2020) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently released the COVID-19 Supplement for Planning Considerations: Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place, which is intended to help communities plan for evacuations and shelter-in-place operations during the COVID-19 public health emergency. This supplement to the 2019 Planning Considerations: Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place provides COVID-19 related questions to key principles and critical considerations. The questions can assist emergency management planners as they review, revise, and implement impacts and constraints resulting from COVID-19, helping them to make the necessary adjustments to ensure continuity of essential functions and services. Visit the FEMA website for a collection of downloadable comprehensive preparedness planning guides.
• COVID-19 Pandemic: Work Eligible for Public Assistance (FEMA Policy 104-009-19, 01 Sept 2020) The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Sept. 1 released its interim policy, “FEMA Policy 104-009-19 COVID 19 Pandemic: Work Eligible for Public Assistance.” The interim policy defines the framework, policy details, and requirements for determining the eligibility of work and costs under the PA Program to ensure consistent and appropriate implementation across all COVID-19 emergency and major disaster declarations. Except where specifically stated otherwise in this policy and other disaster-specific COVID-19 policies, assistance is subject to PA Program requirements as defined in Version 3.1 of the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG). This interim policy supersedes the FEMA Fact Sheet dated Mar. 19, 2020, “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Eligible Emergency Protective Measures,” for work performed on or after Sept. 15, 2020. This interim policy will be updated or revised as required by changes in the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• DHS/CISA publishes Cyber Essentials Toolkit Chapter 3 (17 Aug 2020) The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CIA) recently published Cyber Essentials Toolkit Chapter 3: Your Systems, What Makes You Operational to share with small companies and local government agencies. This chapter emphasizes protecting the information and applications on your network. Organizations that build security into and around critical assets and applications strengthen their technical cyber hygiene. This Cyber Essentials Toolkit recommends actionable steps leaders can take to manage network assets with the goal of protecting information and securing hardware and software. The Cyber Essentials Toolkit is a set of modules designed to break down the CISA Cyber Essentials into bite-sized actions for IT and C-suite leaders to work toward full implementation of each Cyber Essential, with each chapter focusing on recommended actions to readiness. Direct questions to Central@cisa.gov.
• COVID-19 Disinformation Toolkit (June 17, 2020) This toolkit is designed to help state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) officials bring awareness to misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories appearing online related to COVID-19’s origin, scale, government response, prevention and treatment.
• National League of Cities (NLC) Emergency Preparedness Amidst COVID-19: A Guide for Local Governments (24 June 2020) As local governments grapple with the COVID-19 challenge, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other disasters continue to threaten communities across the US. How can local leaders keep residents safe and prepare for these hazards amidst a global pandemic that requires physical distancing and other precautions?This document is a short guide about local emergency preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• FEMA Fact Sheet: Coronavirus Pandemic Response: Mass Care Delivery Guidance (June 17, 2020) 
• FEMA Fact Sheet: Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC) Quick Start Guidance for COVID-19 Response and Recovery (June 10, 2020) This guidance provides state, local, tribal and territorial governments with foundational concepts for establishing a Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC) to support their response and recovery operations for the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• National Mass Care Strategy Releases COVID-19 Sheltering Non-Congregate Guidelines (June 1, 2020) The following documents are provided as general guidelines for making non-congregate sheltering decisions in a COVID-19 environment:

• • COVID-19 Non-Congregate Sheltering Framework. This document provides guidance for non-congregate sheltering. “Non-congregate sheltering” means locations where each individual or household has living space that offers some level of privacy (like hotels, motels, casinos, dormitories, or retreat camps).
  • Feeding in COVID-19 Non-Congregate Shelters. This job tool describes how to conduct feeding operations in non-congregate shelters opened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Non-Congregate Shelter Accessibility Checklist. This job tool uses information from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Accessibility Checklist for hotels. It addresses basic requirements that must be met to support disaster-affected clients with disabilities.
  • FEMA FAQ on Non-Congregate Sheltering. A has provided answers to frequently asked questions about non-congregate sheltering during the Secretary of Heath and Human Service’s (HHS’) declaration of a Pubic Health Emergency for COVID-19.
• American Flood Coalition (AFC) and American Public Health Association (APHA) Release Release Handbook to Address Dual Disasters (26 May 2020) The AFC and APHA have released their Dual Disaster Handbook, a comprehensive handbook with up-to-date guidance for communities navigating the dual disaster of flooding during the COVID-19 pandemic. This handbook, the first of its kind, will help officials plan a proactive response as communities face multiple threats this season.
• FEMA Advisory: Pandemic Operational Guidance for 2020 Hurricane Season (May 20, 2020) The purpose of the advisory is to help emergency managers and public health officials better prepare for allhazards disasters, while continuing to respond to and recover from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Private sector and non-governmental organizations can use this guidance to gain understanding of the federal government’s posture, as well as associated planning and readiness efforts.
• New FEMA Guidance on Eligible Medical Care Costs and Alternate Care Sites (May 13, 2020)
• FEMA Fact Sheet: Interim Guidance for Administrators of U.S. Institutions of Higher Education (May 13, 2020) This interim guidance is intended for administrators of public and private institutions of higher education (IHE), to help them plan, prepare, and respond to COVID-19.
• FEMA: Planning Considerations for Organizations in Reconstituting Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic (May 5, 2020) An organization may need to adapt and adopt new processes, address physical and psychological impacts to personnel, recover records and files, reestablish communications and IT equipment or acquire specialized equipment to regain full functionality. Planning requires expertise and coordination from the entire organization and coordination with partners and stakeholders throughout the community.
• FEMA Bulletin Civil Rights Bulletin: Ensuring Civil Rights Through the COVID-19 Response (Apr. 21, 2020) 
• Guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers (CISA, Apr. 17, 2020) This is Version 3.0 of this document of CISA's Guidance on Essential Infrastructure Workers. Version 3.0 provides clarity around a range of positions needed to support the critical infrastructure functions laid out in the original guidance and Version 2.0. This iteration includes a reorganization of the section around Healthcare and Public Health and more detail to clarify essential workers; emphasis for Emergency Medical Services workers; and adds lawyers and legal aid workers. Also included is language focused on sustained access and freedom of movement; a reference to the CDC guidance on safety for critical infrastructure workers; and a statement saying sick employees should avoid the workplace and the workforce. In worker categories, all references to “employees” or “contractors” have been changed to “workers.” Other additions include a reference to the USCG Marine Safety Information Bulletin on essential maritime workers; clarified language including vehicle manufacture; and many other small changes to clarify language.
• AMS Statement: Tornado Sheltering Guidelines During COVID-19 Pandemic (American Meteorological Society, Apr. 9, 2020) 
• CISA and United Kingdoms National Cyber Security Centre Joint Alert: COVID-19 Exploited by Malicious Cyber Actors (Apr. 9, 2020)
• Airbnb Housing for Frontline Medical Personnel and First Responders (Apr. 6, 2020) 
  
• OMB Memo Regarding Repurposing Existing Federal Financial Assistance Programs and Awards to Support the Emergency Response to COVID-19 (09 Apr 2020) The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent this memo to heads of executive departments and agencies, directing directs all Federal departments and agencies to marshal all legally available federal resources to combat the COVID-19 crisis.
  • FEMA Memo Explaining FEMA’s Implementation of OMB Memorandum M-20-20 to Support the COVID-19 Emergency Response (29 Apr 2020) 
• FEMA Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Pandemic: Addressing PPE Needs in a Non-Healthcare Setting (22 Apr 2020) This guidance summarizes how organizations should consider and manage their personal protective equipment (PPE) needs while ensuring the protection of workers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic response.
• Guidelines for Opening Up America Again (12 Apr 2020) President Trump released the Guidelines for Opening Up America Again, a three-phased approach based on the advice of public health experts. These steps will help state and local officials when reopening their economies, getting people back to work, and continuing to protect American lives.
• Letter from FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor to U.S. Emergency Managers (Apr. 16, 2020) FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor's Apr. 15 letter to the nation's emergency managers outlines lessons learned from the first 30 days of FEMA leading the "Whole-of-America" response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his letter, he addresses preservation and prioritization of scarce resources; use of data-driven decision making; utilization of key federal medical staff, Federal Medical Stations (FMS) and Large-Format Alternative Care Sites (ACS); mitigation efforts to flatten the curve; strengthening the supply chain; and the importance of busting myths.
• COVID-19 Hospital Resource Package (FEMA Healthcare Resilience Task Force, Apr. 15, 2020) A comprehensive resource offering guidance on common crisis challenges, enabling hospitals and their personnel to operate more effectively and efficiently.
• AMS Statement: Tornado Sheltering Guidelines During the COVID-19 Pandemic (American Meteorological Society, Apr. 15, 2020)
• FEMA Fact Sheet: Strategies for Addressing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Shortage (Apr. 14, 2020)
• FEMA Update: COVID-19 Pandemic: Supply Chain Stabilization (Apr. 8, 2020)
• COVID-19 Response and Recovery Through Federal, State, Local, and Tribal Partnerships (White House, Apr. 2, 2020).
• Coronavirus Rumor Control: Fact vs. Myth (FEMA, Apr. 2, 2020).
• Coronavirus Fraud Prevention Website (U.S. Department of Justice, Apr. 2, 2020).
• Using Autodialers for COVID-19 Related Public Service Announcements (DHS Office of Governmental Affairs, Apr. 2, 2020). 
• Social Media Resources: Download the Apple COVID-19 Screening Tool. Follow the White House on Twitter and Facebook. Also follow HHS (Twitter/Facebook) and CDC (Twitter/Facebook) You can also find informational videos from Coronavirus Task Force members on mitigation, social distancing, etc. on the White House’s YouTube page.
• Mental Health Resources: Natural disasters – including such pandemics as the coronavirus outbreak – can be overwhelming and also can seriously affect emotional health. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline – 1-800-985-5990 (or text TalkWithUs to 66746) – provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to anyone who is seeking help in coping with the mental or emotional effects caused by developments related to the coronavirus pandemic.  Learn more about the Disaster Distress Helpline here.
• Administration Actions and Federal Agency Resources: USA.gov is cataloging all U.S. government activities related to coronavirus. From actions on health and safety to travel, immigration, and transportation to education, find pertinent actions here. Each Federal Agency has also established a dedicated coronavirus website, where you can find important information and guidance. They include: Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers of Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Education (DoED), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Small Business Administration (SBA), Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of State (DOS), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Commerce (DOC), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of the Treasury (USDT), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
• DHS Science & Technology Master Question List for COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2) Weekly Report (Apr. 1, 2020) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) developed the master question list, which quickly summarizes what is known, what additional information is needed, and who may be working to address such fundamental questions as, “What is the infectious dose?” and “How long does the virus persist in the environment?” The Master Question List (MQL) is intended to quickly to present the current state of available information to government decision makers in the operational response to COVID-19 and allow structured and scientifically guided discussions across the federal government without burdening them with the need to review scientific reports, and to prevent duplication of efforts by highlighting and coordinating research.
• Alternate Care Site (ACS) Toolkit (First Edition, Federal Healthcare Resilience Task Force, Mar. 31, 2020) This Toolkit was developed to help state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) entities to address potential shortages in medical facilities during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. It is intended to provide technical assistance to SLTT entities in establishing and operationalizing Alternate Care Sites (ACS).
• FEMA Memo: Short-term Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations (Mar. 30, 2020). 
  
  • Previous memo on administrative relief (Mar. 17, 2020).
  • Chart describing applicability of OMB memo on Mar. 17 to FEMA Grant Programs (Mar. 17, 2020).
• CISA Guidance on Identifying Critical Infrastructure During COVID-19 (Version 2, Mar. 30, 2020) 
• Webinar Recording on Non-Traditional Authorities During COVID-19 (Mar. 30, 2020). CHDS partnered with NEMA on Mar. 25 to deliver a webinar on the Defense Production Act, National Emergencies Act and Section 1135 Waivers to the Social Security  Act. View the recording here.
• ATMS Standards and COVID-19 (Mar. 30, 2020) ASTM International is providing no-cost public access to important ASTM standards used in the production and testing of personal protective equipment - including face masks, medical gowns, gloves, and hand sanitizers - to support manufacturers, test labs, health care professionals, and the general public as they respond to the global COVID-19 public health emergency.
• FirstNet Webinar Recording on Coping with COVID-19: Best Practices for Fire/EMS (Mar. 30, 2020). On Mar. 26, a webinar was held by FirstNet on best practices for fire/EMS. View webinar here. If you did not previously register, you will need to register to access the recording.
• IHME COVID-19 Projections (Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Mar. 30, 2020) The charts show projected hospital resource use based on COVID-19 deaths. The projections, by USA and by state, assume the continuation of strong social distancing measures and other protective measures.
• Letter from FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor to the Nation’s Emergency Managers (Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mar. 27, 2020). The letter includes key points on best managing the COVID-19 response, with message that public, private, NGOs, and citizens all have a role to play.
• FEMA COVID-19 Pandemic: Whole-of-Government Response (Mar. 25, 2020)
• COVID-19: How to be Safe and Resilient (24 Mar 2020) Online course and other resources, from Global Resilience Institute, Northeastern University.
• FEMA Launches DHS Ideascale Space (23 Mar 2020) The FEMA Continuous Improvement Program launched a DHS Ideascale space to collect ideas and share successful practices in response to COVD-19, a forum seeking ideas and practices related to shielding the populations most vulnerable, sheltering the susceptible to limit exposure and transmission, saving the sick by providing critical medical treatment; and sustaining the supplies and protecting the supply chain. Browse the ideas, add your own, and share across your networks. Ideascale contributions will be used on the FEMA Coronavirus Best Practices web page. 
• FEMA Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Pandemic Eligible Emergency Protective Measures (Mar. 19, 2020)
• FEMA Publishes COVID-19 Guidance on Procurements Made Through Grants (Mar. 17, 2020) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued guidance addressing procurements made though grants during exigent or emergency circumstances, such as the COVID-19 outbreak. FEMA recognizes that noncompetitive procurements may be necessary to save lives, to protect property and public health, and to ensure public safety, as well as to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe. The memorandum and fact sheet provide answers and guidance surrounding the need for such measures.
• Flyer Template: "Was I Exposed to COVID-19?" (Mar. 16, 2020) This flyer template was shared by IAEM member Travis Cryan at a recent HHP partner community meeting. The fonts, text, and text box colors can be changed on this PowerPoint document, and you can add your own branding.
• FEMA Fact Sheet: Infectious Disease Event (17 Mar 2020) This fact sheet describes the scope of assistance that may be provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (Stafford Act) emergency declaration in response to a domestic infectious disease event.
• President Trump Declares National Emergency Over COVID-19 (The Hill, Mar. 13, 2020)
• National Association of Manufacturers COVID-19 Resources (Mar. 13, 2020)
• DHS/Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security (CISA). Includes what the U.S. government is doing to protect cybersecurity; CISA insights on risk management for COVID-19; and COVID-19 cyber alert. (Mar. 11, 2020)
• Water Environment Federation: COVID. Includes what we know today and water sector specific information. (Mar. 11, 2020)
• WHO Officially Declares COVID-19 a Pandemic (The Hill, Mar. 11, 2020)
• COVID-19 Related Emergency Power Reliability Guidance for Emergency Managers and Public Health Officials Regarding Hospitals and Skilled Nursing Facilities (Powered for Patients, Mar. 11, 2020)
• Resources to Help Churches Prepare for Responding to COVID-19 (Humanitarian Disaster Institute, Wheaton College, Mar. 11, 2020)
• The Countries Best and Worst Prepared for an Epidemic. Includes related infographics on COVID-19. (Statista, Mar. 11, 2020)

Scams Related to COVID-19

• Fake Online Coronavirus Map Delivers Well-known Malware (Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center, Mar. 16, 2020). A malicious website pretending to be the live map for Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins University is circulating on the internet waiting for unwitting internet users to visit the website. Visiting the website infects the user with the AZORult trojan, an information stealing program which can exfiltrate a variety of sensitive data.