Gov't help for the poor during coronavirus

[Treyfish]

[h=1]:tiphat:reports of gov't and local gov't helping to keep things running during the pandemic:applause:

Detroit offers new payment plan to limit water shutoffs during coronavirus crisis
Nancy Kaffer, Detroit Free PressPublished 2:01 p.m. ET March 9, 2020 | Updated 2:11 p.m. ET March 9, 2020[/h] Detroit’s water shutoff crisis hasn’t prompted state and local elected officials to declare a public health emergency.

But with COVID-19 spreading across the country, they’re hoping to avoid one since handwashing is critical in preventing the spread of disease.

On Monday, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office said that Detroiters whose household income is 150% of the federal poverty level and whose water is disconnected can have service restored for a $25 fee. Those customers can keep service on for $25 a month until the coronavirus outbreak has passed....

 

[Treyfish]

[h=1]Kentucky senator wants to limit spread of coronavirus by requiring paid sick days[/h] Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier JournalPublished 1:51 p.m. ET March 9, 2020
A state senator wants the Kentucky legislature to approve legislation that would require employers to give employees paid sick leave in order to help limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Senate Bill 282, filed by state Sen. Morgan McGarvey of Louisville, would make people who work in Kentucky for a particular employer for at least 30 days within a year, from the commencement of their employment, entitled to paid sick days.

And it would require employers to provide at least 24 hours, or three 8-hour work days, of paid sick leave to individual employees each calendar year.

“Employers should realize that it is in their best interest to provide...:tiphat:https://www.courier-journal.com/sto...l-proposed-require-paid-sick-days/5000713002/

 

[Treyfish]

[h=1]Blue Cross, the biggest insurance company in Tennessee, to fully cover coronavirus testing[/h] Brett Kelman and Natalie Allison, Nashville Tennessean
Updated 1:26 p.m. ET March 9, 2020
The largest health insurance company in Tennessee has promised to fully cover coronavirus cases.

The announcement came as the state health commissioner urged other insurance companies to do the same and a few days after a state lawmaker introduced a bill seeking no-cost coronavirus treatment for Tennessee residents with no insurance.

BlueCross and BlueShield of Tennessee, a Chattanooga-based nonprofit that covers about 70% of the state private insurance market, said in a news release it would waive all co-pays and cost sharing for coronavirus testing.

“We are committed to helping slow the spread and impact of this new coronavirus,” said Dr. Andrea D. Willis, BlueCross senior vice president, in the release. “If a BlueCross member needs to get tested, we don’t want them to worry about the cost.”...:tiphat:https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news...e-fully-cover-coronavirus-testing/5000668002/