Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Vaccines
Austin and Travis County: Please visit https://www.austintexas.gov/covid19-vaccines for up-to-date information regarding vaccines in Travis County.
- Register for the vaccine with Austin Public Health: https://covid19.austintexas.gov or call 311.
- Veterans can contact their local VA clinic for details.
- Austin: Vaccine appointments for the Austin VA Outpatient Clinic are currently available for eligible veterans, their spouses, and their caregivers. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-423-2111.
- You can visit https://www.va.gov/central-texas-health-care/locations/austin-va-clinic/ for more information.
CVS Pharmacy has begun distributing the vaccine in Central Texas. The vaccine is free and is available to all who are eligible. To schedule an appointment with CVS, visit: https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
To find comprehensive vaccination information for the United States visit https://www.vaccines.gov/.
Federal Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
For current information regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
For current information on coronavirus tax relief, please visit the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) website.
Travel Advisory Information
For travel advisory information, visit the U.S. Department of State's website.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
For veterans seeking public health information related to the coronavirus, visit the Veterans Affairs (VA) website.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
For current information about government assistance programs for small businesses affected by the coronavirus, visit the Small Business Administration's (SBA) website. Please be aware that the SBA is unable to accept new applications for COVID-19 relief loans or grants. They continue to offer PPP loan forgiveness.
CARES Act Guidance
The IRS has issued all first, second and third Economic Impact Payments. Most eligible people already received their Economic Impact Payments. Securely access your IRS online account to view the total of your first, second and third Economic Impact Payment amounts under the Tax Records page.
New applications for COVID-19 relief programs or grants are closed, but PPP loan forgiveness and EIDL increases continue. Click here for more information.
The Federal Government's Disaster Distress Hotline can be reached via telephone call at: 1 (800) 985-5990 or by texting 'TalkWithUs' to 66746.
Texas Information
For current information from the State of Texas, visit https://www.texas.gov/covid19/.
Current information for parents and child care providers impacted by the coronavirus can be found on the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children (TXAEYC) website.
Local Information
Austin
For current information about the coronavirus, including current testing sites, visit the Austin Public Health website. The website includes information on testing as well as educational print materials in multiple languages. Additional community resources can be found on the City of Austin's website.
Para información sobre COVID-19 haga clic aquí.
The Central Texas Food Bank’s social services team is continuing to assist clients with applying for SNAP (along with Medicaid, TANF, Healthy Texas Women, Medicare Savings Program, CHIP and CHIP Perinatal). Offices are located at 6500 Metropolis Drive, Austin, Texas 78744.
For information about health care services during COVID-19, visit Integral Care's website and contact their 24/7 helpline at (512) 472-4357.
The City of Austin created a one-stop site with resources to help those affected by or requesting more information on the pandemic. Visit ATX Recovers to see more.
Travis County
Travis County has an updated website with all Covid-19 protocols, as well as a virtual surveillance board with FAQ's concerning Travis County's response to Covid-19. Please visit www.traviscountytx.gov.
Health Coverage
Foundation Communities at enroll@foundcom.org or (512) 381-4520.
Call Central Health's Eligibility Hotline at (512) 978-8130 for information on the Medical Assistance Program (MAP) or MAP-Basic for those with no health insurance and/or change in healthcare coverage status.
Click here to learn whether you qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Haga clic aquí para saber si califica para medicaid o el programa de seguro de salud para niños (CHIP).
Resources for Seniors
For current information regarding the coronavirus for seniors and people at higher risk, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website.
For additional resources regarding coronavirus from leading seniors groups, visit their websites here:
AGE of Central Texas Resources has a library of at-home activities, videos, virtual tours and webcams for seniors who are staying at home. Additionally, they have resources to help family caregivers during this trying time.
Additional Resources
- The Alzheimer's Association has a 24/7 helpline at (800) 272-3900 and a coronavirus Tip Sheet linked here.
- Domestic Violence, which has been on the upswing since the advent of Shelter in Place, is forcing many victims to remain with their abusers at home. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, The National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) is available 24/7 at 1 (800) 799-SAFE (7233).
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness, Central Texas (@NAMICentralTX) has programs and resources for those seeking support for mental health, including a free mental health education series. Learn more here.
- Workforce Solutions Capital Area offers assistance with job searches, unemployment insurance, and business assistance. Residents in Hays and Caldwell Counties can find similar assistance with Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area.
My Guest Editorials
You can read my guest editorials on this public health crisis, by clicking on the text below:
August 20, 2020 Austin American-Statesman: Doggett: Safeguarding the post box and the ballot box
April 23, 2020 USA Today: The corrupt tax provision in the CARES Act
April 2, 2020 San Antonio Express News: Trump fails the COVID-19 response test
February 29, 2020 San Antonio Express-News: Supporting San Antonio on the front lines of coronavirus
Oversight Actions
March 15, 2021 letter to CMS regarding Texas bonus payments to nursing homes during COVID-19
December 28, 2020 letter to Zoom on assuring equal access to consumers with disabilities
November 6, 2020 letter to HHS regarding COVID-19 hospital data
October 30, 2020 letter to CMS regarding reinstatement of nursing home staff training
August 27, 2020letter to the CDC regarding testing guidance
August 20, 2020 letter concerning taxpayer investments in Moderna vaccine
August 12, 2020 letter to Postmaster General DeJoy to Reverse Assault on Postal Service
August 6, 2020 letter to Vice President Pence regarding the Administration's COVID-19 vaccine plan
July 7, 2020 letter to CMS regarding COVID-19 nursing home data
May 29, 2020 letter to HHS on mishandling of Provider Relief Fund
May 20, 2020 letter to the Federal Reserve demanding accountability in corporate bailouts
May 13, 2020 letter to HHS regarding remdesivir clinical trial data and distribution plan
May 4, 2020 letter to Gilead CEO regarding supply chain and pricing plan for remdesivir
April 30, 2020 letter to Secretary Azar regarding taxpayer R&D investments in remdesivir
April 29, 2020 letter to FDA regarding accuracy of antibody tests.
April 21, 2020 letter to leadership regarding the protection of Medicaid during the crisis
April 9, 2020 letter to FDA regarding accuracy of COVID-19 tests
April 9, 2020 letter to Trump Administration on massive tax giveaways slipped into COVID relief bill
April 1, 2020 letter to Treasury and IRS urging that rebates to seniors be made automatic
March 20, 2020 letter to Governor Greg Abbott regarding COVID-19 testing for the uninsured
March 13, 2020 letter to HHS Secretary Azar regarding establishing a Special Enrollment Period.
March 6, 2020 letter to HHS Secretary Azar regarding test kits
March 6, 2020 letter to FDA Commissioner Hahn regarding test kits
March 2, 2020 letter to Commerce Secretary Ross regarding needed medical supplies being exported
March 2, 2020 letter to Chairman Frank Pallone calling for E&C oversight investigation
February 20, 2020 letter to President Trump regarding vaccine affordability
February 13, 2020 letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar regarding Lackland AFB concerns
Should you need assistance, you can contact my Austin office at (512) 916-5923, or send me an email.