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Aloha Neighbors,
The senate special committee met Monday with the Governor’s chief of staff and the directors of budget & finance, labor & industrial relations (DLIR), and human services (DHS). If you are interested in their comments you can watch the full hearing on youtube.
For further information on labor laws see this fact sheet. For many who have had problems filing for unemployment insurance, the DLIR has set up a call center to assist the public M-F from 7:45 am – 4:30 pm. Phone (833) 901-2252. Federal relief funding will cover a broader pool of employees (independent contractors and gig workers), extend benefit period from 26 to 39 weeks, and add $600 per week to benefits. DLIR will have more information forthcoming as it works with USDOL to the details. One concern voiced by many is the 21-day period between the filing and payment of benefits. DLIR was asked to work with the USDOL on finding a way to expedite payment.
The DHS has an extensive plan for the continuity of operations to serve its multiple and diverse populations via online, phone or video to practice social distancing. It has applied for federal waivers for SNAP; emergency childcare for first responders and essential workers; and allowing adult daycare center operators to become home-based care providers — to ensure continuity of services to our keiki, kupuna, disabled, etc. For a list of the services and contact information visit the DHS website.
Directors of both departments (of labor and of human services) stated that it is far better to keep employees on payroll and recommended that employers file for small business loans under the COVID-19 relief act just passed on Friday 3/27. These loans can be forgiven if the business keeps employees on payroll. Tomorrow, 3/31 at 1pm, the senate committee will focus on state and federal support for small businesses. See the draft agenda. Final agendas with links and other documents, when available, are posted on the Senate Special Committee on COVID-19 page.
We again ask you to heed the “stay at home” orders but if you must leave home please practice social distancing. The virus travels quickly and you may be asymptomatic on one day and test positive a few days later. We should screen everyone but short of that the University of Hawaii National Disaster Preparedness Training Center is studying the extent of the COVID-19 “community spread” through it tracing questionnaire. You can help by identifying where the disease may have spread in our community. All personal information will be kept strictly confidential. Please also distribute the survey link to others in Hawaii who may be at risk of being infected.
If you haven’t seen the CDC information on the virus and its symptoms you might visit their website. For more information from the State of Hawaii see yesterday’s Covid-19 Joint Information Center Daily News Digest.
Take care and be healthy!
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