Advanced search Help
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Infection Prevention and Control and Preparedness for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings: Fifth Update
From the Key Messages: "Healthcare facilities, including long-term care facilities (LTCFs), should apply several types of measures to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. The mainstays of infection prevention and control (IPC) in all healthcare facilities are administrative measures, physical distancing, hand hygiene and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Administrative measures decrease the opportunities for transmission within healthcare facilities and diminish the risk of outbreaks. In areas with community transmission of COVID-19, staff, visitors and patients should apply physical distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene, and wear face masks when physical distancing is not possible. Healthcare facilities should ensure that PPE is available and appropriately used to safeguard those providing patient and resident care. [...] Due to the large impact of COVID-19 in LTCFs, it is essential that national measures are prioritised in these facilities to shield residents and prevent outbreaks."
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
2020-10-06
-
Trends in COVID-19 Incidence After Implementation of Mitigation Measures -- Arizona, January 22-August 7, 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Trends in COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Incidence After Implementation of Mitigation Measures - Arizona, January 22-August 7, 2020." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2020.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-10-06
-
Federal Oil and Gas Revenue: Actions Needed to Improve BLM's Royalty Relief Policy, Statement of Frank Rusco, Director, Natural Resources and Environment, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives
From the GAO (Government Accountability Office) Highlights: "BLM [Bureau of Land Management] manages the federal government's onshore oil and gas program with the goals of facilitating safe and responsible energy development while providing a fair return for the American taxpayer. In April 2020, oil and gas producers faced financial challenges from a drop in demand for oil during the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. If oil and gas prices decline, it places financial stress on oil and gas companies, thereby increasing bankruptcies and the risk of wells being shut down. BLM developed a temporary policy to provide oil and gas companies relief from royalties that they owe to the federal government when they sell oil and gas produced on federal lands. This testimony discusses (1) BLM's development of the temporary policy for royalty relief and what is known about the policy's effects, and (2) BLM's implementation of this policy across relevant states. To do this work, GAO reviewed BLM documents; analyzed royalty data; and interviewed BLM officials from headquarters and the five BLM state offices with jurisdiction over states that account for 94 percent of royalties from oil and gas production on federal lands."
United States. Government Accountability Office
2020-10-06
-
Righty Scaled, Carefully Open, Infinitely Agile: Reconfiguring to Win the Innovation Race in the Intelligence Community
From the Executive Summary: "[A]rtificial intelligence, quantum computing, biosynthesis and other new technologies promise to reorder the global chessboard and change the lives of everyone on the planet. The question for U.S. policymakers, and the subject of this report, is whether the United States will lead in the development of these technologies or whether we will follow, and instead merely read about their unpredictable effects in the media. Our national security depends on choosing the former path, as does our economic prosperity and our traditional leadership role in the development of the global norms, rules and institutions that disperse technology's benefits and constrain its destructive potential. Like every element of our government, the U.S. Intelligence Community ('IC') has a crucial role to play in this endeavor. It brings to that role unique assets: robust funding, exceptional people, and technology that is the stuff of Hollywood thrillers. But its innovative capacity is also constrained by necessary secrecy, compartmentalization and rules and a culture that often punishes risk and cements the status quo. Over the last 18 months the Subcommittee on Strategic Technologies and Advanced Research has undertaken a study of existing thought leadership and engaged with IC leaders and experts. This report presents the Subcommittee's views and recommendations and identifies those that are best suited for legislative action, executive branch initiatives, or further study."
United States. Congress. House. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
2020-10-06?
-
Brief Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program: Homeland Security Issues in the 116th Congress [Updated October 6, 2020]
From the Document: "The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is authorized by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Title XIII of P.L. 90-448, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§4001 et seq.) and is the primary source of flood insurance coverage for residential properties in the United States. The NFIP has two main policy goals: (1) to provide access to primary flood insurance, thereby allowing for the transfer of some of the financial risk from property owners to the federal government, and (2) to mitigate and reduce the nation's comprehensive flood risk through the development and implementation of floodplain management standards. A longer-term objective of the NFIP is to reduce federal expenditure on disaster assistance after floods. The NFIP engages in many 'noninsurance' activities in the public interest: it identifies and maps flood hazards, disseminates flood-risk information through flood maps, requires community land-use and building-code standards, contributes to community resilience by providing a mechanism to fund rebuilding after a flood, and offers grants and incentive programs for household- and community-level investments in flood-risk reduction"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2020-10-06
-
Delivery of Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) [Updated October 6, 2020]
From the Document: "To mitigate the financial hardship many Americans are experiencing during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136). A critical element of the aid package is direct payments to certain individuals in 2020. The payments are referred to as 'recovery rebates' in Section 2201 of the act, but the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) refers to them as 'economic impact payments' (EIPs) in the information about the payments it sends to the general public. [...] This Insight summarizes the delivery of EIPs so far and identifies issues that have delayed the delivery of payments to certain low-income individuals."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Guenther, Gary L.
2020-10-06
-
Tax Treatment of Net Operating Losses (NOLs) in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act [Updated October 6, 2020]
From the Document: "Increased benefits from net operating losses (NOLs) had been discussed as part of the response to the economic effects of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136) included a provision increasing tax benefits for NOLs. This revision temporarily suspends current rules that were last revised in the 2017 tax revision, popularly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA; P.L. 115-97)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gravelle, Jane
2020-10-06
-
Contingent Election of the President and Vice President by Congress: Perspectives and Contemporary Analysis [Updated October 6, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The 12th Amendment to the Constitution provides backup, or standby, procedures by which the House of Representatives would elect the President, and the Senate the Vice President, in the event no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes. Although this procedure, known as contingent election, has been implemented only once for each office since the amendment's ratification, the failure to win an electoral college majority is theoretically possible in any presidential election. Some contingencies that might lead to an electoral college deadlock include [1] an election that is closely contested by two major candidates, leading to a tie vote in the electoral college; [2] one in which multiple candidates gain electoral votes so that no candidate wins a majority; or [3] an election where a number of electors sufficient to deny a majority to any candidate votes against the candidates to whom they are pledged. Any one of these developments would require Congress to consider and discharge functions of great constitutional significance. Moreover, the magnitude of these responsibilities might well be further highlighted by the fact that an electoral college deadlock would arguably lead to a period of protracted and contentious political struggle. This report examines constitutional requirements and historical precedents associated with the contingent election process. It also identifies and evaluates contemporary issues that might emerge in the modern context."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Neale, Thomas H.
2020-10-06
-
Federal Election Commission: Membership and Policymaking Quorum, In Brief [Updated October 6, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is the nation's civil campaign finance regulator. The agency ensures that campaign fundraising and spending is publicly reported; that those regulated by the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) and by commission regulations comply and have access to guidance; and that publicly financed presidential campaigns receive funding. The FEC currently is operating without a policymaking quorum because only three of six commissioners remain in office. At least four agreeing votes are required to take policymaking or enforcement actions. It is unclear when additional nominations and Senate consideration to restore a quorum might occur. [...] This CRS [Congressional Research Service] report briefly explains the kinds of actions that FECA precludes when a quorum is not possible because fewer than four FEC members are in office. Among other powers, without a quorum, the commission cannot hold hearings, issue rules, or enforce campaign finance law and regulation. Campaign finance law and regulation remain in effect and may be enforced once a quorum is restored. Agency operations continue with remaining commissioners and staff. The current quorum loss marks the third in the FEC's history. The second occurred recently, between August 31, 2019, and June 5, 2020, when a confirmation briefly restored a fourth commissioner to office. In addition, the FEC lacked a policymaking quorum for six months in 2008. This report will be updated in the event of substantial changes in the Federal Election Commission's policymaking quorum or the status of commission nominations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-
2020-10-06
-
Judge Amy Coney Barrett: Her Jurisprudence and Potential Impact on the Supreme Court [October 6, 2020]
From the Summary: "On September 26, 2020, President Donald J. Trump announced the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to the Supreme Court of the United States to fill the vacancy left by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, 2020. [...] This report provides an overview of Judge Barrett's jurisprudence and scholarship and discusses how the Supreme Court might be affected by her confirmation. It first explores the nominee's views on three cross-cutting issues--the role of the judiciary, constitutional construction, and statutory interpretation. The report then addresses the nominee's jurisprudence in six areas of law where the Supreme Court has been closely divided or where the nominee has issued significant opinions, particularly in cases where she disagreed with other jurists. These areas of the law were identified primarily by reviewing Judge Barrett's written judicial opinions and academic scholarship. The report concludes with a number of tables that catalog and briefly describe each of the roughly 90 majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions authored by Judge Barrett during her 35-month tenure on the federal bench."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brannon, Valerie C.; Garcia, Michael John; Lewis, Caitlain Devereaux . . .
2020-10-06
-
Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers: Seasun Biomaterials Inc, AQ-TOP COVID-19 Rapid Detection Kit PLUS
From the Document: "This Fact Sheet informs you of the significant known and potential risks and benefits of the emergency use of the AQ-TOP COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] Rapid Detection Kit PLUS. The AQ-TOP COVID-19 Rapid Detection Kit PLUS is authorized for use with respiratory specimens collected from individuals suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider."
United States. Food and Drug Administration
2020-10-05
-
NETEC: Got Masks? PPE Compliance and Fatigue in First Responder Realms [video]
From the Video Description: "Are personnel becoming less diligent with PPE [personal protective equipment]? Is there a significant element of PPE fatigue? Do you know what the PPE requirements are when not actively providing patient care? What about PPE requirements in the office, ambulance, and firehouse? Join us for a Town Hall meeting and discuss the importance of PPE in the First Responder Environment and learn techniques to deal with PPE fatigue and improve compliance." The duration of the video is 56 minutes and 8 seconds.
National Emerging Special Pathogen Training and Education Center
2020-10-05
-
[Letter from Joseph V. Cuffari to Chad F. Wolf Regarding Retraction of Final Report, OIG-18-35, October 5, 2020]
From the Document: "I reviewed 'Special Review: TSA's Handling of the 2015 Disciplinary Matter Involving TSES [TSA Transportation Security Executive Service] Employee [Redacted},' dated January 8, 2018, OIG [Office of Inspector General]-18-35. I determined it complied with our Privacy Act publication standards. However, I also determined that the report is flawed and did not comply with Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency standards and model practices. Therefore, I am retracting the report."
United States. Department of Homeland Security. Office of Inspector General
Cuffari, Joseph V., 1959-
2020-10-05
-
Long Covid: Reviewing the Science and Assessing the Risk
From the Overview: "There is still much we don't know about the risk of Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. We know people who are poor, elderly or have underlying conditions have higher risks of death. Public understanding of the risks, combined with the style and content of the messaging and the perceived trustworthiness of the source of the information, will all improve the level of compliance with measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing. [...] In this paper, we combine data from the Covid Symptom Study with emerging evidence from the broader scientific community to understand what we do and - as importantly - don't know about those suffering with long-term symptoms of Covid-19. The Covid Symptom Study is unique as it has one of the largest sample sizes of Covid-19 studies with more than 4 million participants, but it is important to note that the data is collected and analysed based on self-reported symptoms recorded through an app. New findings from the study, which will be published in full by King's College later this month, indicate that around 10 per cent of those taking part in the survey had symptoms of long Covid for a month, with between 1.5 and 2 per cent still experiencing them after three months."
Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Sleat, Daniel; Wain, Ryan; Miller, Brianna
2020-10-05
-
Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Child and Youth Mental Health
From the Introduction: "Children are a vulnerable population during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting economic downturn: They are directly affected by COVID-19 and the measures taken to prevent and control the spread of this disease. Although it is difficult to predict the precise number of children and youth who will present with a mental health condition for the first time or whose current conditions will worsen as a result of COVID-19, the prevalence of anxiety disorders and depression in children and youth will likely increase. This increase is especially likely as the prevalence of mental health disorders among children's caregivers and parents increases and as children and youth experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as the loss of a parent, caregiver, or loved one. Likewise, given that previous economic downturns have been shown to increase ACEs and to affect the mental health and well-being of children and youth, the economic factors of the pandemic add to the increased risk. This report addresses COVID-19's impact on the mental health of children and youth and is presented in two sections. The first section reviews three areas: The first area considers mental health outcomes and focuses on what previous pandemics and similar events tell us about changes in the levels of mental health conditions in children and youth, the second area focuses on how disruptions to communities and families affect the mental health of children and youth, and the third area considers how school closures and educational disruption affect student mental health. In the second section, we recommend several strategies that Oklahoma can implement to mitigate COVID-19's impact on the mental health of children, youth, and their families."
Healthy Minds Policy Initiative
2020-10-05
-
COVID-19: US Federal Accountability for Entry, Spread, and Inequities
From the Abstract: "The United States (US) has been among those nations most severely affected by the first--and subsequent--phases of the pandemic of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 [severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2]. With only 4% of the worldwide population, the US has seen about 22% of COVID-19 deaths. Despite formidable advantages in resources and expertise, presently the per capita mortality rate is over 585/million, respectively 2.4 and 5 times higher compared to Canada and Germany. As we enter Fall 2020, the US is enduring ongoing outbreaks across large regions of the country. Moreover, within the US, an early and persistent feature of the pandemic has been the disproportionate impact on populations already made vulnerable by racism and dangerous jobs, inadequate wages, and unaffordable housing, and this is true for both the headline public health threat and the additional disastrous economic impacts. In this article we assess the impact of missteps by the Federal Government in three specific areas: the introduction of the virus to the US and the establishment of community transmission; the lack of national COVID-19 workplace standards and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for workplaces as represented by complaints to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which we find are correlated with deaths 17 days later ( =0.845); and the total excess deaths in 2020 to date, which already total more than 230,000 and exhibit severe inequities in race/ethnicity including among younger age groups."
Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies
Hanage, William; Testa, Christian; Chen, Jarvis T. . . .
2020-10-05
-
MMWR Early Release: Adolescent with COVID-19 as the Source of an Outbreak at a 3-Week Family Gathering -- Four States, June-July 2020
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [It] is the agency's primary vehicle for scientific publication of timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations. This early release issue of MMWR contains the following article: "Adolescent with COVID-19 as the Source of an Outbreak at a 3-Week Family Gathering - Four States, June-July 2020." Notifiable Diseases and Mortality Tables from this issue can be accessed at the following link [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/index2020.html].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
2020-10-05
-
By the Numbers: Coronavirus Pandemic Whole-Of-America Response (October 5, 2020)
From the "FEMA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have coordinated the transition of the Supply Chain Advisory Group, formerly the Supply Chain Task Force, to HHS. This mission transition occurred on Sept. 1, 2020 and allows FEMA to focus on responding to other disasters while continuing its Whole-of-American response to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. HHS will effectively maintain the future Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) demand and modeling with this advisory group to include medical supply matters, resource requirements, program oversight and the strategic purpose of SNS. FEMA, HHS and their federal partners will continue to collaborate in response to queries in support of the American people."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2020-10-05
-
FEMA Advisory Coronavirus Pandemic Whole-Of-America Response 'By the Numbers' Update (October 5, 2020)
From the Document: "Attached is the weekly 'By the Numbers' updates for the Whole-of-America coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic response underway. This 'By the Numbers' update relates to the Supply Chain Advisory Group; Medical Supplies and Equipment; Testing; Federal Funding; and Additional Federal Support as well as the latest Lost Wages Assistance Totals."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2020-10-05
-
Landsat 9 and the Future of the Sustainable Land Imaging Program [October 5, 2020]
From the Summary: "The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) anticipates launching Landsat 9, a remote sensing satellite NASA is developing in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in 2021. Landsat satellites have collected remotely sensed imagery of the Earth's surface at moderate spatial resolution since the launch of Landsat 1 on July 23, 1972. The two latest satellites in the series, Landsat 7 and Landsat 8, are still in orbit and supplying images and data. Stakeholders use Landsat data in a variety of applications, including land use planning, agriculture, forestry, natural resources management, public safety, homeland security, climate research, and natural disaster management. Landsat data support government, commercial, industrial, civilian, military, and educational users throughout the United States and worldwide. Landsat 7, however, is expected to consume its remaining fuel by summer 2021. To reduce the risk of a gap in Landsat data availability, Landsat 9 development was initiated in March 2015, with a design that is essentially a rebuild of Landsat 8. Once Landsat 9 is operational, it and Landsat 8 will acquire around 1,500 high-quality images of the Earth per day, with a repeat visit every eight days, on average."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Normand, Anna E.
2020-10-05
-
Benefits for Service-Disabled Veterans [Updated October 5, 2020]
From the Summary: "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers programs and provides benefits to qualified former U.S. servicemembers with service-connected disabilities (i.e., service-disabled veterans). These benefits can compensate a veteran for an injury or provide assistance to enable a veteran to have a higher quality of life. To qualify for benefits discussed in this report, a veteran must have a physical or mental condition that was 'incurred or aggravated' in the line of military duty that resulted in a disability. Service-connected disabilities are rated on a scale from 0% to 100%, in 10% increments, using a VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). Disability ratings are used to determine eligibility for various types of benefits and the amount of disability compensation benefits a veteran can receive. This report describes major VA benefit programs that are limited to veterans with service-connected disabilities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Salazar, Heather M.; Perl, Libby; Collins, Benjamin
2020-10-05
-
The SBA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Loan Pilot Program: Considerations for Congress and Policy Options [Updated October 5, 2020]
From the Summary: "For nearly a century, Congress has contemplated how to help businesses repair and rebuild after a disaster. Congress has also expressed interest in helping businesses use mitigation measures to protect their investments from future incidents. Mitigation activities entail identifying risks and hazards and taking measures to either substantially reduce or eliminate the impact of an incident. As described in this report, mitigation measures primarily take place during the recovery phase of a disaster. Currently, only damaged businesses in declared disaster areas are eligible for disaster loans. Businesses seeking mitigation assistance before a disaster strikes, however, must look to other sources for the assistance. Congress experimented with business pre-disaster mitigation (PDM) through a pilot program operated by the Small Business Administration (SBA) from FY2000 to FY2006. Though Congress authorized appropriations of $15 million each fiscal year to carry out the SBA PDM pilot program, four businesses obtained pre-disaster mitigation loans, totaling just over $100,000."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lindsay, Bruce R.
2020-10-05
-
Selected Issues for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Reauthorization and Reform: Homeland Security Issues in the 116th Congress [Updated October 5, 2020]
From the Document: "The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the primary source of flood insurance for residential properties in the United States. The NFIP has more than 5 million flood insurance policies providing over $1.3 trillion in coverage, with 22,493 communities in 56 states and jurisdictions participating. Since the end of FY2017, 16 short-term NFIP reauthorizations have been enacted, and the NFIP is currently authorized until September 30, 2021. Unless reauthorized or amended by Congress, on September 31, 2021, (1) the authority to provide 'new' flood insurance contracts will expire and (2) the authority for the NFIP to borrow funds from the Treasury will be reduced from $30.425 billion to $1 billion."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2020-10-05
-
Good Neighbor Authority [October 5, 2020]
From the Document: "The Good Neighbor Authority allows the Forest Service (FS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to authorize states, counties, and federally recognized Indian tribes to conduct certain projects on federal lands in pursuit of specified land management goals (16 U.S.C. §2113a). The Good Neighbor Authority allows FS and BLM to collaborate with these groups to plan and execute cross-jurisdictional restoration work. The Good Neighbor Authority was expanded in 2018, which broadened the possible partners and uses of the authority. The Good Neighbor Authority generally has been perceived as successful, particularly in enhancing state-federal relationships and addressing cross-boundary land restoration needs. Some provisions of the 2018 expansion, particularly those regarding treatment of timber revenues, have generated concern. This In Focus provides background information, statistics on use, and a brief overview of the issues, including those related to timber sales and revenues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Riddle, Anne A.
2020-10-05
-
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Reinsurance, and Catastrophe Bonds [Updated October 5, 2020]
From the Document: "Insurance transfers risk from one entity who does not want to bear that risk to another entity that does. An initial insurance purchase, such as homeowners buying a policy to cover damage to their home, is often only the first transfer of that risk. The initial (or 'primary') insurer may then transfer (or 'cede') some or all of this risk to another company or investor, such as a 'reinsurer.' Reinsurers may also further transfer (or 'retrocede') risks to other reinsurers. Such transfers are, on the whole, a net cost for primary insurers, just as purchasing insurance is a net cost for homeowners. The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (P.L. 113-89) revised the authority of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to secure reinsurance from 'private reinsurance and capital markets.' Risk transfer to the private market could reduce the likelihood of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) borrowing from the Treasury to pay claims. In addition, it could allow the NFIP to recognize some of its flood risk up front through premiums it pays for risk transfers rather than after-the-fact borrowing, and could help the NFIP to reduce the volatility of its losses over time. However, because reinsurers charge premiums to compensate for the assumed risk as well as the reinsurers' costs and profit margins, the primary benefit of reinsurance is to manage risk, not to reduce the NFIP's long-term fiscal exposure."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.; Webel, Baird
2020-10-05
-
Air Force Next-Generation Air Dominance Program: An Introduction [October 5, 2020]
From the Document: "On September 15, 2020, U.S. Air Force acquisition executive Dr. Will Roper announced that the Air Force had flown a full-scale flight demonstrator as part of the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. The announcement came as a surprise to many observers, both as the NGAD program was believed to be an early-phase technology development program unlikely to yield hardware in the near term, and because funding began two years ago, which is unusually fast to design and build a military aircraft. DOD had mentioned an interest in building a new 'X-plane' prototype as far back as 2014, but it is not clear whether this led to the NGAD demonstrator."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gertler, Jeremiah
2020-10-05
-
Small Businesses and COVID-19: Relief and Assistance Resources [Updated October 5, 2020]
From the Document: "This CRS [Congressional Research Service] Insight presents selected websites and CRS products potentially relevant to small businesses that are directly affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and seeking economic relief and assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Kreiser, Maria
2020-10-05
-
Potential FEMA Emergency Sheltering Options During the COVID-19 Pandemic [Updated October 5, 2020]
From the Document: "Some hazards (e.g., hurricanes, wildfires) may result in evacuations and displacement of survivors. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state, local, tribal, and territorial governments (SLTTs) are responsible for coordinating emergency sheltering after a declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act; 42 U.S.C. §§5121 et seq.). However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FEMA acknowledge that the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may complicate efforts to provide emergency sheltering. This Insight discusses emergency sheltering models used by FEMA, COVID-19-related emergency sheltering policies, and challenges faced by SLTTs supporting emergency sheltering during the COVID-19 pandemic, and policy considerations for Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Webster, Elizabeth M.; Lee, Erica A.
2020-10-05
-
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance [Updated October 5, 2020]
From the Introduction: "The majority of funding in the United States for both pre- and post-disaster mitigation comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which defines mitigation as 'any sustained action to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects.' Mitigation actions have a long-term impact, as opposed to actions that are associated with immediate preparedness, response, and recovery activities. Mitigation has been shown to save money. A recent study by the Multihazard Mitigation Council found that society saves $6 for every dollar spent on mitigation funded through major federal mitigation grants. FEMA administers three hazard mitigation grant programs, which it collectively refers to as Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA): [1] the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP); [2] the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Program; [3] the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Program, replaced by Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC). Eligible applicants include state and local governments and federally-recognized tribes. Certain nonprofit organizations may apply for HMGP. Individuals may not apply for HMA funding, but they may benefit from a community application. Applicants to all three programs must have FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plans. Eligible activities differ for the three programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2020-10-05
-
Resource Allocation and Pandemic Response: An Evidence Synthesis to Inform Decision Making
From the Background and Purpose: "In a pandemic, such as COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019], the need for medical resources, including staff, stuff (e.g., supplies and equipment), and space or structure (e.g., physical location), can quickly outstrip the available resources. Policymakers need information and tested strategies to inform key decisions about how to respond and make the best use of scarce resources. Potential strategies seek to increase the overall quantity of resources, stretch existing resources, and when needed offer guidance about how to determine which patients receive those resources. These strategies focused on the healthcare delivery system are complemented by population-based strategies that seek to reduce the spread of the disease and therefore the demand for health care services. There is a wealth of guidance developed by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) about the allocation of scarce resources. The degree to which these guidelines are implemented as policies or affect outcomes at the population level is harder to examine. A 2012 AHRQ [Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality] review identified the existing evidence on outcomes of strategies for allocating medical resources in mass casualty events. That review defined resource allocation broadly, and included pandemic response such as mitigation and community strategies that were useful to policymakers. In this rapid evidence review, we updated the search for studies about outcomes of strategies regarding allocations of scarce resources (including mitigation and community strategies) that would be of interest to a broad array of decision makers, and updated terminology to reflect the current scope."
United States. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
2020-10-05
