Ohio points of pride: see what  Battelle and OSU Wexner Medical Center  are doing on the COVID-19 testing front ( Abbott , too), and what  Battelle is doing  to keep  health workers  safe. And don’t miss  this . 
Quotable and Notable
"I have the honor of wearing this white coat, which I know has become a little bit iconic. But it became very clear to me that I'm wearing a symbol of all my friends and colleagues and your family members who are out on the front lines...I'm thinking about you a lot -- more than I can express because I've spent many years on the front lines and sometimes feel frustrated that I can't just come in there and work alongside of you in doing this bigger picture planning. But this white coat represents all of you.” 

- Dr. Amy Acton , Ohio's Director of Public Health, speaking about National Doctors' Day during Monday's daily press briefing on coronavirus
Fact of the Week
The amount of money in the federal  coronavirus stimulus bill , the largest such relief package in our nation's history. The appropriation will provide direct financial assistance to Americans as well support small businesses, states, and the health care sector.
Policy Radar
Columbus City  
The City  reminds  residents that all playgrounds, courts, and equipment are closed right now. This includes outdoor exercise gyms, basketball and tennis courts, and picnic tables. For families with young children wanting to get out for fresh air and physical activity, public parks and trails remain open – but it’s important to observe the city’s  guidance on this  and how to stay safe. You can also follow updates and  guidance  via the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department  Facebook page . Meanwhile, we’re seeing many creative  resources  meant to help children  stay active  at home.  
 
Despite closures, local schools are finding ways to feed students. The  Dispatch  covers several efforts in central Ohio  here . Schools can also continue to be reimbursed for meal services by participating in the Seamless Summer Operation or the Summer Food Service Program. Check out  this map  for available meal service near you. 
 
State  
The State of the State address has been – not surprisingly –  postponed . State of the State addresses are used for the governor to outline policy priorities and goals for the coming year. At the moment, these priorities were sort of chosen for us. But Gov. DeWine has  risen to the challenge . 
 
Gov. DeWine  extended school closures  through May 1. School closures nationally vary; see  Education Week’s   tracking tool  for this if you’re curious.  
 
Last week’s Tuned In  outlined highlights from Ohio’s COVID-19 emergency legislation (HB 197). Here’s a useful  legal summary  of the bill that we came across, with more extensive details, if you’d like to read more.  
 
Federal  
Congress has been busy as well, with three large efforts in the month of March intended to marshal resources for public health during COVID-19 and support small businesses and families.  

Those three COVID-19 related pieces of legislation are (and in order of their enactment): 
  • $8.3 billion  
  • Provides emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the outbreak, supporting efforts that include vaccine development, medical supplies, public health grants, small business loans, and waivers related to Medicare and telemedicine. 
  • Here’s a great analysis of how these funds are broken out. Legislative text here. 

  • Provides a guarantee for free coronavirus testing, establishes new paid sick leave requirements, increases federal Medicaid funding as well as funds for food security initiatives, and emergency grants for states’ unemployment programs.  
  • Here’s a good summary, and a helpful breakdown of what it means for employers here. Legislative text here. 
 
  • $2 trillion – the largest relief package in our nation’s history and what folks are referring to as “the stimulus” (enacted a week ago) 
  • Provides direct financial assistance to Americans as well as investments in unemployment benefits, hospitals and health providers, small business loans, and grants to the airline industry. 
  • You can find a quick summary of provisions here; a more thorough one here; a good read on the bill’s impact on K-12 education here; an excellent summary from the First Five Years Fund on child care related provisions here; and a helpful graphic and article from NPR here. 

While we’re thinking about how the federal government can invest in and support the child care sector, this  list   of recommendations from Zero to Five is a good start.  

Finally, here’s a  running list of COVID-19 related actions by Congress  as well as, interestingly, who’s been tested or quarantined. 
FYI
Help us distribute Columbus Care Kid Kits to families! Nationwide Children’s Hospital, multiple OSU partners, and FutureReady Columbus are collaborating to create 1500 kits to distribute to under-resourced families during these challenging times. Read more and learn about donating  here . 
What We're Reading
Here’s helpful guidance from across OSU:  
  • A quick, easy read from The Ohio State University's College of Public Health Dean on what social distancing is, and what it is not.  
  • How to fight misinformation in a crisis, from an OSU Communications professor.  
  • Thoughts from Dr. Jessica Logan, assistant professor of educational studies within EHE, on why parents shouldn’t put too much pressure on themselves right now.  
 
Here’s a great  read from Ed Surge  about one southwest Ohio preschool and its efforts to prioritize children’s mental health in the midst of the pandemic. Note, we’ve seen others speed into action with similar thoughtfulness, planning, and commitment to equity – including our own partner school, the  A. Sophie Rogers School for Early Learning . Check out our educators’  YouTube content  – created to stay connected to families and children during the closure while also emphasizing language and literacy. Anyone at home with young children might find these useful. Finally, here are  two articles  about  what it’s like  inside of pandemic-licensed child care centers in Ohio. 
 
The Ohio Department of Health published a landing  page dedicated to resources  for parents and families. A Virginia children’s hospital has a blog with great  children's health resources , including several useful posts related to parenting during COVID-19. 
 
Many groups are putting out lists for helping children navigate through the crisis. Here are a few of our favorites: 
  • Dubbed “The Great Apprehension”, the Milwaukee Independent lays out 7 steps for how to help kids relax during the crisis ahead of us.  
  • Child Mind Institute also offers 11 suggestions for supporting kids. 
  • Erikson Institute has 10 tips specifically from early childhood experts. 
 
Finally, we’re sharing  this  because it’s just too good not to. 
This edition written by: Jamie Davies O'Leary, Associate Director of Policy and Caitlin Lennon, Communications & Policy Specialist
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