March 19, 2020
Contact: Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division
Phone: 202-646-3444

Advisory

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Eligible Emergency Protective Measures

Consistent with the President’s national emergency declaration for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on March 13, 2020, FEMA urges officials to, without delay, take appropriate actions that are necessary to protect public health and safety pursuant to public health guidance and conditions and capabilities in their jurisdictions. 

Attached is the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Eligible Emergency Protective Measures Fact Sheet, which provides guidance on the types of emergency protective measures that may be eligible under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program in accordance with the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration in order to ensure that resource constraints do not inhibit efforts to respond to this unprecedented disaster.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of External Affairs, Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters.

Follow FEMA online, on Twitter @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account. Also, follow Administrator Pete Gaynor’s activities @FEMA_Pete.

March 19, 2020
Contact: Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division
Phone: 202-646-3444

Advisory

Requesting Partner Support for Amplification of American Red Cross Blood Donation Messaging

The American Red Cross has asked for support to amplify their blood donation messaging on social media and during media interviews, as appropriate.

We are sharing their talking points and social media posts that they’ve requested help with amplifying. 

Talking Points:

• One thing people can do to help the country during this public health emergency is to donate blood.
• We need an adequate supply of blood to treat patients in hospitals who need emergency surgery or trauma patients.
• But a lot of blood drives take place on college campuses or workplaces, and those drives have been cancelled. (As of March 17, the American Red Cross reports nearly 4,000 drives cancelled and more than 100,000 fewer blood donations – industry numbers are higher)
• If you are a healthy individual, it’s important you go donate blood. Volunteer blood donors are the only source of blood for those in need.
• Donating blood is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give. It’s important to note that blood drives have the highest standards of safety and infection control.
• We recommend people leave home for necessities like groceries, or a doctor’s visit, or the pharmacy – and donating blood is a necessity too.
• So, give blood – you’ll feel good about it and you’ll be helping your country during this crisis.
• One donation can help save the lives of up to 3 people.

Social posts to amplify:

• Blood drive cancellation stats on Facebook and Twitter.
• Blood drive precautions on Facebook and Twitter.
• Patient story on Facebook and Twitter.

Please note that American Red Cross is only updating the number of blood drive cancellations once a day, new numbers will be available tomorrow morning around 9 am.

Social guide for partners: See attached word document with sample posts and links to downloadable graphics.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of External Affairs, Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Division at (202) 646-3444 or at FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. Follow FEMA online, on Twitter @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account. Also, follow Administrator Pete Gaynor’s activities @FEMA_Pete.

• COVID19_Partner online guide.docx