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COVID-19, or Coronavirus, Information

Veterans have multiple resources available for the latest

COVID-19, or coronavirus, information. Here are several resources:

Federal Government Response Food and Drugs
The overall federal government response is at https:// The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers the latest in-
www.coronavirus.gov/. This page offers the most updated formation on their site at https://www.fda.gov/coronavirus.
health-related guidance and information on coronavirus. The administration is monitoring medical product and
food supply chains for potential shortages and disrup-
VA Resources tions. This page has news about new policies regarding
For the latest VA updates on coronavirus and common- ventilators, testing kits, monitoring vital signs and more.
sense tips on preventing its spread, visit https://www.
va.gov/coronavirus. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also has information
about food safety and pet safety at https://www.usda.gov/
Rumor Control coronavirus.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA,
is working with the Department of Health and Human Blood Donations
Services for COVID-19 pandemic response. As of March The American Red Cross strongly urges healthy, eligible
20, 2020, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, five terri- individuals who are feeling well to give blood or platelets.
tories and one tribe are working directly with FEMA under This helps maintain a sufficient blood supply and prevent
the Nationwide Emergency Declaration for COVID-19. shortages as coronavirus cases rise in the U.S. People can
make an appointment to donate blood now by using the
FEMA has a rumor control page at https://www.fema. Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org
gov/coronavirus/rumor-control. The page addresses the or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Type
latest myths, giving people the latest facts–versus myths– O and platelet donations are especially needed right now.
on the federal response. The agency also has a page about
donations and volunteering at https://www.fema.gov/ Small Business
coronavirus/how-to-help. The Small Business Administration (SBA) assists small
businesses with accessing federal resources and navigat-
CDC Information ing their preparedness plans as described by the CDC’s
The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, offers informa- Guidance for Businesses and Employers. Small business
tion about protecting a person and what a person should owners in all U.S. states and territories are currently eli-
do if sick. There are also resources for the community cov- gible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus
ering travel, schools, childcare, business, and community (COVID-19).
and faith-based organizations. The page also offers the lat-
est information on the number of cases in the U.S. For SBA provides a number of loan resources for small busi-
more information about coronavirus, please visit https:// nesses to use when operating their business. For more
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. information on loans or how to connect with a lender,
visit: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans.
Social Security and Medicare Information
Veterans receiving social security can stay up-to-date with Housing Information
the latest at https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/. The site The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
has frequently asked questions about benefits. Medicare offers information at https://www.hud.gov/coronavirus.
offers their latest updates at https://www.medicare.gov/ This includes relief for homeowners and information for
medicare-coronavirus. The page covers information HUD assisted residents.
about lab tests, medical hospitalizations and a Medicare
Advantage Plan.

8 The Mariner • 2020 SPRING Edition • Volume 63 • Issue 1