Rep. Jake Wheatley offers some information and resources regarding COVID-19.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

In recent days, there’s no doubt you’ve been bombarded with a great deal of information about COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. We have people in our county who have tested positive, according to county and state officials, and each day, there appears to be more and more news and updates. I get it, it’s a lot to digest and it’s very disconcerting.

My team at The People’s Office has been working nonstop to help our residents, even doing so remotely. We are regularly updating our social media channels with information from the state Department of Health and other trusted resources to help keep you safe during this ongoing situation.

As we are dealing with this new reality, let’s keep something in mind: We must always be careful, but we must also be ready to continue living our lives to their fullest. Let this partial shutdown be a warning to us that if we aren’t careful and willing to use our common sense, then the government will be forced to act for us.

We know that most people who are exposed to this virus will survive it. We know that if we stay calm, stay away from people if we feel under the weather, wash and keep our hands clean, practice social distance, and continue to be mindful of our environment, then we will be doing our part.

This pandemic has shown us just how unprepared we were as a country to respond to a major health and safety crisis. This is why it’s critical to have leaders who prepare well for such and provide the necessary resources and information that can help people through the crisis in a calm and effective way. Leadership matters, and it is important to have leaders who are well-prepared and lead with reason not rhetoric. Please remember that we can, and we will get through his crisis, and we don’t have to be afraid to live our lives—we must remain smart and diligent!

For updates and additional resources, I urge you to visit this link, which includes vital information from a variety of state agencies, including the state Departments of Health, Labor and Industry, and others:You can also call the state Department of Health toll free with any questions you may have at 1‐877‐PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258). Allegheny County also has a webpage set up with COVID-19 related resources and information and can be found here. You may also call the Allegheny County Health Department at 412-687-2243.

I’m sending out much love and appreciation to all the healthcare workers, doctors, home healthcare professionals, public safety personnel, state workers in our county’s human services offices, and the dedicated employees in our grocery stores and gas stations, who are going above and beyond in keeping our society operational. It’s time we join together as a community, support each other, and again, be smart and be safe.

Please contact The People’s Office at 412-471-7760 or via email at RepWheatley@pahouse.net and my staff and I will help you with any questions or concerns you may have about state-related services or issues.

Rep. Jake Wheatley represents Pittsburgh’s 19th District. He’s also the Democratic chairman of the state House Finance Committee.

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