Adena Allergists Address COVID-19 Vaccine Questions

For months, the approval of vaccines to stop the spread of the Coronavirus has been seen as a critical next step in the eventual return to normalcy. As approval of two vaccines thus far - produced by Pfizer and Moderna - has become reality and administration of initial doses has begun, it continues to be met with questions and uncertainty among some as they consider whether to take the vaccinations once they become generally available.

 

Whether their hesitance has been brought on by the uncharacteristic speed at which the vaccine was developed and approved, worries about potential side effects, misinformation circulating on social media or simply a desire to wait and see how others handle the vaccinations before agreeing to take the two-shot dosage, it has become apparent that clear communication regarding the vaccine is a must.

 

Adena board-certified allergists and immunologists Dr. Rekha Raveendran and Dr. Dana Esham - both having already taken the first dose of the Moderna vaccine and heartily encouraging others to do so when it becomes available to them -- have been doing extensive research on the various COVID-19 vaccines. Recently, they took some time to address many of the questions surrounding the Moderna vaccine.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Information and Resources

for Older Adults Available Through the AAA7

As stated by Governor Mike DeWine in his Tuesday, January 12^th press conference, Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) throughout the state of Ohio have been designated as a key partner to take calls and supply information and education surrounding the COVID-19 vaccination, specifically to Phase 1B. The Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) covers ten core counties in southern Ohio including Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton.

How and where to get vaccinated will vary depending on where you live and the AAA7 is available to help the community with information specific to your county and community.

The twelve Area Agencies on Aging in the state of Ohio have a 50-year history of providing information and coordinating services for older Ohioans and their families. Locally, the AAA7 can help answer questions surrounding the vaccine such as safety and what providers are distributing the vaccine. The priority is making sure the community has the best information available to make a decision regarding the vaccine and to know where the vaccine will be available in the district.

The goals of Phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the State of Ohio are to save lives and to have K-12 students back in school full time by March 1. This phase, which is estimated to begin in mid-January, specifically includes the following groups who choose to take a vaccine:

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AAA7 Debuts "Wellness Wednesday" Livestream

A weekly livestream focusing on wellness opportunities through the Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) debuted on Wednesday, January 6th on the AAA7 Facebook page. "Wellness Wednesdays" will be featured each week at 10:00 am with a new wellness topic for discussion during the broadcast.

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Ohio employers urged to cash dividend checks

$500 million in checks aimed at pandemic relief remain uncashed

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) urges Ohio employers to cash the checks BWC mailed them in December to mitigate the economic hardship brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of Tuesday, 23,351 employers still had not cashed $513.7 million in checks BWC sent last month in its $5 billion dividend for nearly 180,000 private and public employers.

"We issued this dividend at Governor Mike DeWine's request to help businesses stay open and keep people employed," said BWC Interim Administrator/CEO John Logue. "We encourage employers to check their mail and start putting these dollars to use."

BWC issued the dividend in mid-December via checks in the mail and credits to employer accounts. Made possible by strong investment returns, declining injury claims, and other cost savings, the dividend included $4.3 billion for private employers and $687 million for local government taxing districts, such as counties, cities, townships, and schools.

The dividend followed two others in 2020, one for $1.54 billion last spring and another for $1.34 billion in October, bringing total dividends for the year to nearly $8 billion.

The checks have a 90-day life before stale-dating. BWC will reissue checks after the stale date at the employer's request, but the process delays employer access to these funds. Ultimately, if an employer fails to cash an original or reissued check, BWC will credit their account.

For frequently asked questions, visit this page on BWC's website or call BWC at 1-800-644-6292.

BWC and COVID-19

For more information about COVID-19 as it relates to BWC, visit this Frequently Asked Questions page or email BWCCOVID19@bwc.state.oh.us

For the latest on the pandemic as it relates to Ohio, visit the Ohio Department of Health website coronavirus.ohio.gov, or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

Paycheck Protection 

Program Updates

PPP Opened Today for First Draw PPP Loan Applications

Starting Jan. 11, community financial institutions (Community Financial Development Institutions, Minority Depository Institutions, Community Development Corporations or Microlenders) can submit First Draw PPP loan applications to the SBA and on Wednesday, they will be able to submit Second Draw PPP loan applications. Just a few days following, the PPP will re-open to all participating PPP lenders for First and Second Draw PPP loans.

Updated PPP Loan Applications and Process Details

Updated applications have been released for First Draw and Second Draw PPP loans. PPP applications must go through participating PPP lenders, who then route them to the SBA for approval. Per this guidance, the SBA continues to call upon our lending partners to assist eligible borrowers in underserved and disadvantaged communities and address potential barriers to access to capital.

Application: First Draw PPP Loan

Application: Second Draw PPP Loan

If you are seeking economic aid via the PPP, we encourage you to start communication with your lender now to understand the financial institution's processes.

What's a First Draw PPP Loan and a Second Draw PPP Loan?

In general, a First Draw PPP loan is for eligible borrowers who did not receive a PPP loan before the program closed in August 2020. A Second Draw PPP loan is for certain eligible borrowers that previously received a PPP loan, generally have 300 employees or less, and have suffered a 25% reduction in gross receipts.

Overview: First Draw PPP Loan

Overview: Second Draw PPP Loan

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SBA Debt Relief 

Program Extended

As the U.S. Small Business Administration continues implementation of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza made the following statement in regards to Section 325:

"Small business is big business in America, and this Administration will continue to extend a lifeline to small business owners during this critical time. Congress charged the SBA with making debt relief payments (principal, interest and fee payments) under Section 1112 of the CARES Act to help borrowers in SBA's 7(a), 504 and Microloan programs; and now SBA is working expeditiously to implement the newly enacted assistance.

"The new law extends SBA debt relief authority, allowing the Administration to continue alleviating adverse economic effects of COVID-19 for small businesses with SBA loans. Since April last year, the SBA has made over $7.1 billion in payments across 1,819,130 loans on behalf of these borrowers. It's important to note that these firms were also initially able to access capital because of the SBA federal guarantee."

The SBA is determining how much additional debt relief assistance can be provided to SBA borrowers with the newly issued Congressional appropriation. Debt Relief guidance will soon be posted on the SBA website.

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Stay up to date via Twitter & SBA.gov

We will continue to share details about additional economic aid being administered by the SBA for small businesses and other eligible organizations as soon as they are determined. Stay up to date by following us on Twitter and visiting us online at www.sba.gov. More specifically, the best source of accurate information on the PPP is http://www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection and for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which are available through Dec. 31, 2021, and other grants it is www.sba.gov/disaster.

TechCred Application Period NOW Open

January 4 - January 29

The seventh TechCred application period opened today, January 4^th and closes January 29^th at 3:00 p.m.

TechCred helps businesses upskill their current and incoming workforce with tech-focused credentials. Businesses can receive up to $2,000 for each tech-focused credential earned, up to $30,000 per employer each application period.

Since the program's start, a total of 966 Ohio employers have been approved for funding, supporting the earning of 15,105 tech-focused credentials by Ohio employees.

Businesses can learn more and apply at TechCred.Ohio.gov.