COVID19 Disruption Friday, April 17, 2020
President Trump issued a 3-step reopening framework based on declining and sustained COVID19 infection rates. The White House suggests that bars/taverns can re-open with limitations in the phase 2 of the 3-step framework. www.whitehouse.gov “Opening Up America Again”. Ultimately each state will likely decide their reopening schedule.
Small Business Administration is unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) passed by congress in the Cares Act. The $349 billion federal fund has run dry. The ILBA, as a member of American Beverage Licensees, has joined a coalition asking the federal government to add another $250 billion in PPP.
U.S. Department of Labor – OSHA Interim Enforcement Response Plan to Protect Workers during The Coronavirus Pandemic – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced an interim enforcement response plan for the coronavirus pandemic. The response plan provides instructions and guidance to OSHA Area Offices and compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) for handling coronavirus-related complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports. Check OSHA’s webpage at www.osha.gov/coronavirus frequently for updates.
FBI Warns of Emerging Health Care Fraud Schemes Related to COVID-19 Pandemic
https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-warns-of-emerging-health-care-fraud-schemes-related-to-covid-19-pandemic
Music Licensing
ASCAP President Elizabeth Matthews has stated: “As we all experience changes to our normal routines due to the coronavirus, we know that many of our licensees have seen a decline in business as a result of restrictions on gatherings and events. The corresponding loss of revenue by our customers impacts ASCAP’s ability to support songwriters, composers and publisher members who rely on music performance royalties as their source of income to pay their bills and feed their families. As small business owners themselves, our community of songwriters, composers and music publishers sends you our supportive thoughts and best wishes as we face these challenges together. We are closely monitoring how the virus is affecting our customers. If your business has been negatively impacted, please let us know by emailing us at glcs@ascap.com and we will make a note about the impact on your account to better understand how we could work together in partnership to get through this challenging time. We hope that you, your family and your friends stay healthy and safe.”
BMI has announced – “Unfortunately at this point so many of the businesses we work with have been decimated by the crisis so we are in the process of trying to craft a thoughtful and meaningful response to those customers who are struggling right now. I hope to be able to circle back with you shortly with more definitive information.”
Facebook
Facebook will alert people who have interacted with coronavirus ‘misinformation’
Facebook said Thursday it will begin alerting users if they have interacted with harmful “misinformation” about the coronavirus, part of new, aggressive steps to combat what health authorities have described as a global “infodemic.” The messages — which will appear in users’ News Feeds — will direct people to official, credible information from the World Health Organization in an attempt to ensure that dangerous myths about the disease, its origins and how it is treated don’t continue to proliferate, either on the social networking site or in the real world.
The Illinois Workers Compensation Commission recently approved some emergency rules that may change the process for determining workers compensation as it applies to COVID19 claims. The ILBA has expressed opposition to this potential change.
Daniel D. Clausner
ILBA Executive Director