Coronavirus - COVID-19

South Dakotans,

I have added a coronavirus resource page to my website to keep South Dakotans updated on the latest coronavirus developments. Information will be added regularly, and you can also follow me on Twitter at @RepDustyJohnson or on Facebook at Representative Dusty Johnson for updated information.

As your representative, I’m here to serve you. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to my offices in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, or Washington.

Sincerely,

Congressional Action

President Donald Trump signed the CARES Act into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act will provide over $2.2 trillion in direct aid to individuals, families, small businesses, and state and local governments. Additionally, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act was signed into law on Friday, March 6. The bill provided $7.8 billion in additional funding for federal, state, and local government responses to the coronavirus, including $4 billion for additional diagnostic tests, treatments, and vaccine development.

The bill also included nearly $1 billion for state and local response efforts. South Dakota has received these funds, which will be used for personal protective equipment and medical supplies, grants for local health departments and hospitals, and equipment to test samples. Congress also passed a Coronavirus aid package (H.R. 6201) to provide free COVID-19 testing and nutritional aid.  

After months of stalled negotitations, Congress passed $900 billion of additional COVID-19 relief on December 21, 2020. This bipartisan bill included direct relief for American families, added funding to the successful Paycheck Protection Program, and provided $68 billion for vaccine distribution and testing.

Resources

• The CDC’s main coronavirus homepage
• South Dakota Department of Health coronavirus homepage
• Facts About the Coronavirus
• Coronavirus: What You Need To Know 
• VA recommendations for Veterans
• South Dakota VA Resources
• Reemployment Assistance Resources 

Vaccine:

• South Dakota Department of Health Vaccine Information
• Monument Health COVID-19 Vaccine Wait List
• Avera COVID-19 Vaccine Wait List
• Sanford COVID-19 Vaccine Wait List
• Mobridge Hospital COVID-19 Vaccine Wait List
• Huron Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Wait List
• Brookings Health System COVID-19 Vaccine Wait List
• Volunteer to Help Administer the COVID-19 Vaccine

For Our Businesses:

• Small Business Guide and Checklist
• Apply for the Paycheck Protection Program
• FAQ for Ag Producers
• CDC Guidance for Businesses 
• South Dakota SBA Website
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights
• Treasury Department Action 
• CARES Act Information for Non-Profits 

For Our Communities & Students:

• Guides for childcare programs and K-12 administrators
• Information for parents and guardians about talking with children about coronavirus
• CDC’s guide to creating a household plan
• FAQ on the CARES Act
• Explaining COVID-19 to our children
• FAQ on Student Loans

Staying Healthy:

• Make sure to wash your hands. 
• Refrain from touching your face. 
• If you're feeling sick, stay at home.
• Practice social distancing and wear a mask. 

More tips are available on the CDC's website here.

Travel Assistance:

• CDC travel health notices can be found here. 
• International travel guidance issued by the Department of State is available here. 
• State Department and specific country advisories are listed here.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus – fever, cough, shortness of breath – and have been in close contact with a person known to have coronavirus or have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of coronavirus, make sure to contact your health care provider immediately.

If you think you may have coronavirus, the CDC recommends calling your provider ahead of time for guidance on how the facility is handling cases before visiting the hospital in order to keep others from being exposed.