COVID-19: What You Need to Know

The RPEA office will remain closed until further notice.

Our office closed on Monday, March 23 following the Governor’s Executive Order mandating that 100% of the non-essential workforce stay home. If you have any questions, you can send an email to: mail@rpea.org and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

The New York State Department of Health

DOH is offering preventative information and daily updates on COVID-19 which is available on their website at: coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CDC is urging everyone to use preventative, daily routines that will help keep you and your loved ones healthy:

• Clean your hands often.
• Avoid close contact (social distancing by at least 6 feet).
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow.
• Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces daily.

Visit the CDC for more information: www.cdc.gov/COVID19

Watch Out For Scammers

The Federal Trade Commission has provided recommendations due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The current situation is causing more scammers to creep out of their dark corners and offer false hope (Home test kits! A cure!) and use fear (Your Social Security number is about to be revoked! Your loved one is in trouble!) – all to get your money or information. So, while you’re washing your hands and working to stay safe, here are a few ways you can help protect yourself and those you love from scammers.

• Don’t be rushed. Whatever the call, email, text, or social media post is about, remember that scammers try to rush you. Legit people don’t.
• Check it out. Before you act on something or share it – stop. Do some research. Do the facts back up the story?
• Pass it on. If you get offered something great, or you’re worried about something alarming: talk to someone you trust before you act. What do they think?
• Keep in touch with the FTC. Sign up for Consumer Alerts to help spot scams: ftc.gov/subscribe. And watch for the latest at ftc.gov/coronavirus.
• Report scams to the FTC. Go to ftc.gov/complaint. Your report can help us shut the scammers down.