As the United States reports over 100,000 deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic, some people-especially people of color, families with low incomes, and other marginalized communities-are suffering disproportionately. They are also the communities whose health could be hardest hit if states rush to reopen without a robust, fair plan.

If your state and local leaders are weighing how best to reopen and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, consider five principles that we believe should be embedded in those decisions.

Read: 5 Principles to Help Communities Recover from COVID-19  >

By Natalie Krebs

Studies have found the rates of mental illness and suicide are higher for farmers. They work long hours, have limited social contact and are at the mercy of factors such as weather. Now the COVID-19 pandemic is creating even greater challenges to their livelihood—and mental health.

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By Zoya Teirstein

Keeping wildland firefighting crews safe this year will require a significant shift in the way the country fights wildfires. So far, the changes haven’t materialized.

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By Leah Douglas and Tim Marema

A one-of-a-kind data set shows the statistical relationship between meatpacking and the spread of Covid-19 in rural America. Information compiled by the Food & Environment Reporting Network shows how meatpacking counties have some of the highest infection rates in the United States.

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On May 27, 2020, CMS issued updated FAQs.  Among other topics, CMS noted that the RHC productivity limits may be waived during the COVID period at the discretion of the MACs (page 31).  Based on this FAQ, if an RHC expects to have difficulty meeting the productivity guideline because of COVID, they should proactively consult with their MAC.

Another FAQ notes the treatment of telehealth costs on the cost reports (page 32).  This FAQ response is consistent with current cost reporting instructions – as non-reimbursable costs excluded from the all-inclusive rate calculation.  Other RHC FAQs are on pages 31-33.

The FAQs are attached and available at the following link.

www.cms.gov/files/document/…

The FAQs in this document supplement the previously released FAQs: 1135 Waiver FAQs, available at https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/Emergency/Downloads/MedicareFFS-EmergencyQsAs1135Waiver.pdf.

Acting Assistant Secretary Dana Gartzke and External Affairs Director Joel Frushone, of the Economic Development Agency (EDA) briefed ARC, the Delta Regional Authority and the Northern Border Regional Commission on the EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance program, a new grant program developed via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program. This $1.5 billion initiative provides a wide-range of financial assistance to communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. While mostly available via a competitive process, support may also be available to LDDs, universities, revolving loan funds and other entities on a non-competitive basis.

“COVID-19 has accelerated economic changes. Just as you see it in the aftermath of natural disasters, rural, urban, small and large business, local government, all of us have been impacted by this virus and are still being impacted,” said Phil Paradice, Regional Director, EDA Atlanta Regional Office.

In order to be more responsive to businesses that are impacted by COVID-19, EDA leadership added staff in order to ensure applicants receive an initial response within 30 days after submitting a full application. The EDA has also taken steps to waive certain restrictions such as no interest loans, or waiving various leverage requirements, so revolving loan funding can drive needed and necessary capital into small businesses to help them survive.

For more information and resources please visit, www.EDA.gov/coronavirus.