Mayoral Notes: Resources that minimize the impact of COVID-19

By CHARLENE LOVETT
By Charlene Lovett

Protecting the public health while reopening the economy is a balancing act that is challenging all levels of government. The impact of COVID-19 to individuals, either physically or fiscally, varies from person to person. Recognizing and utilizing the resources that are available to mitigate the impact will help us move forward as a community.

During my last call with the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Dr. Birx reported that 6% of the nation’s population has been tested. Some states have a higher testing rate of up to 10%. Between 60% and 70% of those who tested positive have been asymptomatic, meaning the individuals had no symptoms of COVID-19. Research shows that the transmission of the virus is the same whether an individual is pre-symptomatic, asymptomatic or symptomatic. Therefore, being proactive in getting tested will help stop the spreading of the disease. Testing can be done via medical providers or the testing site at the Claremont Middle School (CMS). Testing at the CMS is free and takes only minutes to complete. Appointments can be scheduled online at dhhs.gov or via phone.

Dr. Birx also noted that as actions are taken to re-open the economy, we must protect the vulnerable, including the elderly and those who have hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease or obesity. Washing your hands, social distancing and wearing masks have proven to be effective measures that we can all practice. On June 10, the Claremont City Council adopted a resolution strongly encouraging the wearing of masks in public places. Numerous people and organizations have distributed masks free of charge to the public. Wearing them when in public is an action that we can all take to keep the infection rates down.

While much has been done to help people financially during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were people who lost their jobs due to the pandemic and were ineligible to collect regular unemployment benefits. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) expands unemployment insurance eligibility to self-employed workers, freelancers, independent contractors and part-time workers impacted by the pandemic. This funding was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law by President Trump on March 27. Once signed into law, the U.S. Department of Labor had to set up the PUA program that would be executed by state employment security agencies. On June 11, the New Hampshire Employment Security Agency launched the PUA program, opening the doors for workers who were previously ineligible for benefits. For a complete list of individuals who are eligible for PUA, please go to the New Hampshire Employment Security website at www.nhes.gov.

Those eligible for PUA who opened a claim, filed a claim each week and were denied regular employment benefits, do not need to take further action. The system will automatically review those denied for PUA eligibility. If approved, the applicants will receive up to $167 a week plus $600 a week in stimulus money. Based on the applicant’s information, the money will be either deposited directly into a bank account or sent via mail. Benefits will be retroactive to the date when the applicant first opened a claim.

If applicants opened a claim and discontinued, for whatever reason, filing on a weekly basis, they will have to reopen a claim to be considered for PUA benefits. To get the claim backdated to the original date, applicants must call the hotline for assistance in addition to re-opening the claim online.

The impact of COVID-19 is far reaching. It has affected all of us in some way, but the good news is that there are resources available to lessen its effect. Protect your health and those of others by following CDC guidelines and get tested. Access the financial resources that have become available through federal and state action. Our ability to lessen the impact of this pandemic is directly tied to our willingness to utilize the resources at our disposal.

Charlene Lovett is the mayor of Claremont and a 22-year Army veteran. She welcomes your feedback. Please email questions, comments or concerns to her at [email protected].