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Source: US Rep. David Rouzer (NC-7th), 3/17/20 Dear Friend,Below are some items of particular note as our nation continues
to cope with the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, starting with a lot of
detailed information related to the items included in the disaster package
related to small businesses:
- Let me also note that the U.S. Senate will
very likely pass a trillion plus dollar economic aid package sometime next
week. Many of us in the House are encouraging the Senate to focus on
direct aid to small businesses in the form of no-interest loans to be paid
back over a long period of time starting in 2021.
- I also want to make you aware of a report by a cybersecurity firm about hackers in Libya that appear to be using a fake coronavirus-themed app. In this case, the application is titled “corona live 1.1.", a spoof of a legitimate app that links users to Johns Hopkins University's coronavirus tracker. Learn more about the scam here, and
be wary of malicious apps and scams that seek to take advantage of the
current situation.
- If you have a friend or loved one currently
stranded in another country, be sure to remind them
to enroll with the State Department's STEP Program, which
will allow them to register their travel with the nearest embassy or
consulate. It will ensure our embassies and consulates are able to remain
in contact with them as the virus situation evolves or they find
themselves in a country where violence has erupted.
- Here are more details about the executive order issued by Gov.
Cooper yesterday requiring North Carolina restaurants and bars to be
closed to sit-down service and limited to take-out or delivery orders. The
order will directly aid workers who may have lost wages in restaurants
and meeting places due to mass gathering restrictions. For example,
workers who lose income due to tips or scheduled work hours, but are
still employed, would be eligible for benefits because of this Executive
Order. Among other changes:
- It removes the one-week waiting period to
apply for unemployment payment for those workers who lose their jobs;
- It removes the requirement that a person
must be actively looking for another job during this time when many
potential employers are closed and social distancing guidelines are in
effect.
- It allows employees who lose their jobs or,
in certain cases have their hours reduced due to Covid-19 to apply for
unemployment benefits.
- It directs that employers will not be held
responsible for benefits paid as a direct result of these COVID-19
claims.
- It waives the requirement that people
must apply for benefits in person; workers can apply for benefits online
or by phone.
My staff this week is teleworking in accordance with
recommendations by the House Office of the Attending Physician. As we are
receiving a high volume of calls, please be sure to leave a message if we can
be of assistance and a member of my team will get back to you. As always, stay tuned to coronavirus.org and the NC Department of Health and Human Services' website for
the latest on the state and federal response to the outbreak. Sincerely,
David Rouzer
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