Current Executive Orders

All current State of Maine Executive Orders for residents and visitors can be found at:
https://www.maine.gov/covid19/

If you need food, prescriptions or other essentials, please check our flyer for updated options to reduce your contact with other residents during quarantine

Symptoms/Care

For information about symptoms, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you are sick, consult the US CDC website:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately

• Dial 911
• Community Paramedic (Amy Drinkwater) 207-975-6053
• Maine Statewide Crisis Hotline 1-888-568-1112

Testing for COVID-19

Rules on testing prioritization continue to change. See the current Maine guidelines here:
https://www.maine.gov/covid19/restartingmaine/keepmainehealthy/testing

Pen Bay Medical Center is following Maine Health’s guidelines on testing availability, which can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section, Who can get a COVID-19 test at MaineHealth care locations?
https://mainehealth.org/coronavirus-covid-19

Free Swab and Send Testing Center Open at Pen Bay Medical Center

MaineHealth and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services have announced the opening of five new COVID-19 “swab and send” sites, including one in Rockport. The drive-through testing site is at Pen Bay Medical Center at 8 Wellness Avenue.

You don’t have to be a current MaineHealth patient to be tested, and you can get tested if you believe you may have COVID-19 or if you are at a high risk for exposure as defined by the DHHS standing order. Testing is free. To make an appointment, call 207-301-3040, and to find other testing sites search here.

Penbay Clinic
8 Wellness Ave., Rockland
207-301-3040 

Miles Clinic
Dorothy White Building in the ER parking lot
35 Miles Avenue., Damariscotta
207-563-4353

Updated: 11/18/2020

Preventing the Spread

What you can do to help prevent the spread, including wearing a mask as per Governor Mills’ Executive Order:
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus/general-information.shtml#prevention

Masks

The US Centers for Disease Control recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Additional Guidance

If you are the caretaker for a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, follow these detailed guidelines.

If you have been exposed to someone who had or develops COVID-19 symptoms, you and your household should self-quarantine for 14 days

Updated: 11/18/2020

Traditional Unemployment

File a claim here: https://reemployme.maine.gov or call 1 (800) 593-7660 Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Benefits, rules, and payment expectations are changing daily. For the latest on them:  https://www.maine.gov/unemployment/

Unemployment for the Self-Employed (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance)

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides unemployment coverage for the self-employed and others not normally covered by state unemployment insurance. There are a wide number workers not traditionally covered by unemployment who are now eligible. PUA was created through the federal CARES Act and provides up to 39 weeks of benefits through December 26, 2020.  

Unemployment Claim Assistance

The Jackson Memorial Library has staff who can assist you in applying for Unemployment. Contact them at: (207) 372-8961

Paid Sick Leave THROUGH Dec. 31, 2020

You may be eligible for paid sick leave if you are affected by COVID-19. More information here: 
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employee-paid-leave

Economic Impact Payment DEADLINE Nov. 21, 2020

U.S. residents will receive the Economic Impact Payment of $1,200 for individual or head of household filers, and $2,400 for married filing jointly if they are not a dependent of another taxpayer and have a work eligible Social Security number with adjusted gross income in an eligible range. More information. here: 
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center

If you are a non-filer of taxes, you are still eligible: 
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here

Health Insurance

What if I lost my insurance or don’t have any?
You may be eligible for free or low-cost insurance through MaineCare or the Marketplace. You may also be eligible for other programs that can help with the costs of COVID-19 testing and other medical care you may need. More information here:
https://www.mainecahc.org/covid-19-coronavirus/

Rental Relief

The MaineHousing COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is for renters who cannot afford to pay their rent due to circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic. The program is designed to provide a one time payment of up to $500, until the federal relief funds get to the individuals who need them.

More on the program including eligibility and application here:
https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/rental/rentaldetail/covid-19-rental-relief-program

Eviction

A landlord can evict you under certain circumstances. For more information on your rights and actions you can take, Pine Tree Legal has provided a good current overview:
https://ptla.org/covid-19-maine-eviction-rental-housing-faq

Mortgage & Debt Relief

Mortgage Relief:

If you can pay your mortgage, pay your mortgage. Don’t call your mortgage servicer if you aren’t facing an immediate issue. Mortgage servicers are getting a lot of calls and need to first help those who won’t be able to pay their mortgage. Check their website first for possible options.

If you can’t pay your mortgage, or can only pay a portion, contact your mortgage servicer immediately. You may need to stay on the phone for a while before the servicer is able to take your call. Loan servicers are also impacted by the pandemic, so may be working with staffing and technology limitations. Please be sure to read this blog carefully so you are prepared for this conversation.
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/guide-coronavirus-mortgage-relief-options/

Student Debt Relief:

Student loan borrowers now have more benefits to consider when planning for the potential financial impact from coronavirus. A new federal law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provides automatic suspension of principal and interest payments on federally-held student loans through September 30, 2020. 
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-student-loans-and-coronavirus-pandemic/

Emergency Loans

Bangor Savings is offering a Specific Unsecured Loan to all qualified borrowers to ease the financial burdens created by COVID-19. Click here to apply online.

Bartender Emergency Relief Foundation: https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap

Maine AFL-CIO: (207) 622-9675. Will help with questions about accessing unemployment insurance if you are unable to reach the Maine Department of Labor. https://maineaflcio.org/

Food/Child Care/Healthcare and other Emergency Assistance

All St. George residents in need of food assistance are welcome to sign up for our Community Cupboard:
https://www.stgeorgecommunity.org/cupboardorder/

The Community Development Corporation also has an Emergency Fund available for residents.  

• Assistance may be requested to fund an emergency situation, but all payments will be made directly to the vendor/service provider. 
• The program starts January 1 and concludes when the program budget is reached.
• Assistance is issued by appointment only and an application must be completed.  Applications are then reviewed for approval.
• The assistance amount is limited to $250 per household per program year.
• To apply make an appointment by calling 207-372-2193 or emailing info@stgeorgecommunity.org

Maine has a variety of programs available to qualified needy families. For more on the range of programs: 
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/documents/Accessing-Assistance-Through-Maine-DHHS.pdf

Updated: 11/18/2020

Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program Application

The application deadline is November 3, 2020. Supports Maine businesses and nonprofits as they continue to grapple with economic hardships caused by COVID-19. The grants, which are backed by $200 million from the CARES Act, are intended to help sustain Maine’s small businesses and nonprofits and will provide short-term relief to help stabilize Maine’s economy while still focusing on the state’s long-term goals described in the state’s 10-year strategic economic development plan. More information and applications can be found here:
https://appengine.egov.com/apps/me/economicrecoverygrant

Maine Micro-Enterprise Business Grant Program

The Maine Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) in partnership with the Maine Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) will provide grants of up to $5,000 for businesses with five or fewer employees, with an owner whose income is in the low to moderate range as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). More information here:
https://www.mainesbdc.org/cdbg/

Paycheck Protection Program

NOTE:  As of August 8, 2020, the Paycheck Protection Program is closed. 

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small businesses, including agricultural businesses, and non-profit organizations in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories can, as of June 15, 2020, again apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to COVID-19. More information is available here:
https://www.sba.gov/page/disaster-loan-applications

MaineStream Finance Business Booster Loan

MaineStream Finance is offering a Business Booster Loan of

• Loan up to $10,000 to cover up to two months of working capital/operating expenses.
• 2-year term
• Initial few months of payments may be covered by SBA
• Other flexible payment arrangements available
• Fast turn-around, less than 2 weeks/10-business days

More information here:
https://www.mainestreamfinance.org/business/business-lending/business-booster-loan-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/

Additional Resources

Additional help for hospitality workers:
https://ofwemergencyfund.org/help
https://anotherroundanotherrally.org/

Updated: 11/18/2020

Primary Care

PenBay Medical Center has new policies to ensure patient and visitor safety during the pandemic:
https://mainehealth.org/pen-bay-medical-center/patients-visitors

Maine Family Planning: (207) 922-3222. Financially accessible, non-judgmental reproductive health care. People also sometimes use Maine Family Planning as primary care providers. Call (207) 922-3222 to see how they can help you and to make an appointment. https://mainefamilyplanning.org/our-services/covid19/

Knox Clinic Clinic: (207) 301-6996, info@knoxclinic.org
In this crisis, Knox Clinic’s services and availability continue to evolve. More information is available here:
https://www.knoxclinic.org/

Testing Costs: Governor Mills had previously made an “insurance emergency order” and the state has committed to cover COVID-19 testing for those with Mainecare. However, the cost of treatment is still not necessarily covered by all insurance plans. If you are concerned about treatment costs, speak with the Knox County Health Clinic, or inquire about a waiver at Pen Bay Medical Center.

Community Paramedicine

In-Home Nursing

Rockland District Nursing Association  has continuously provided essential in-home nursing services through the pandemic and are visiting.
https://rocklanddistrictnursing.org/rdna-services 

Domestic and Sexual Violence Support

New Hope for Women: Domestic violence helpline remains open 24/7: 1 (800) 522-3304.  New Hope for Women offers non-judgmental advocacy, support as well as legal assistance for those who are victims/survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.  www.newhopeforwomen.org/ “To all of the victim-survivors that will likely be disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic: We see you. You Matter. We are here for you.”

Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline: 1 (866) 834-4357; www.mcedv.org. Information, crisis counseling, emotional support and advocacy.

Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine: 24/7 Helpline: 1 (800) 871-7741; texting M-F 8AM-5PM; https://www.sassmm.org/

Mental Health/Counseling/Support

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings by phone: 2PM daily; 425-436-6360; access code: 422932#

Narcotics Anonymous meetings online: https://virtual-na.org/meetings/

Narcotics Anonymous: 1 (800) 974-0062;  www.namaine.org.

Naloxone from Maine Access Points: (207) 319-8823. For naloxone (Narcan), reach out via text or phone: “We are doing brief video chat or phone training and will mail you a kit to any location in Maine. Sending much love and care.”

Rockland Recovery Dharma: Meetings held regularly: https://recoverydharma.org/meeting-list

Statewide Al-Anon: 1-800-498-1844;  www.maineafg.org. Help for families and friends of people struggling with alcoholism.

Maine Statewide Crisis Hotline 24/7: 1 (888) 568-1112. For immediate crisis-oriented help.

Speak to a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in St. George for FREE.  Call 207-372-2193 to schedule an appointment.  

 Updated: 11/18/2020

Sadly, there has been a rise in online and phone scams related to COVID-19 and the Coronavirus.  

General COVID-19 Scam Awareness

• Hang up on robocalls. Don’t press any numbers. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from scam Coronavirus treatments to work-at-home schemes. The recording might say that pressing a number will let you speak to a live operator or remove you from their call list, but it might lead to more robocalls, instead.
• Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. Scammers are trying to get you to buy products that aren’t proven to treat or prevent the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores. At this time, there also are no FDA-authorized home test kits for the Coronavirus. Visit the FDA to learn more.
• Fact-check information. Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that hasn’t been verified. Before you pass on any messages, contact trusted sources. Visit What the U.S. Government is Doing for links to federal, state and local government agencies.
• Know who you’re buying from. Online sellers may claim to have in-demand products, like cleaning, household, and health and medical supplies when, in fact, they don’t.
• Don’t respond to texts and emails about checks from the government.  Anyone who tells you they can get you the money is a scammer.
• Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.
• Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.

For more:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing 

Business scam guidance:
https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/scams-your-small-business-guide-business 

 Updated: 11/18/2020