THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 20 The percentage listed next to the senator’s name is the percentage of roll call votes for which the senator was present and voting. The number in parentheses represents the number of roll calls that he or she missed. Sen. Joseph Boncore 100 Percent (0) HOW LONG WAS LAST IMPORTANT NOTICE: Anyone feeling overwhelmed from the COVID-19 epidemic or in general with sadness, anxiety or stress, or who wants to harm themselves or others, can access the mental health, emotional support and suicide prevention program Call2Talk by dialing 2-1-1. Call2Talk is also available by calling (508) 532-2255 or by texting C2T to 741741.” THE HOUSE AND SENATE. The focus on Beacon Hill last week was the Coronavirus. There were no roll call votes in the House or Senate. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call covers the state government’s actions on the virus. Beacon Hill Roll Call also reports local senators’ roll call attendance records for the 2020 session through March 20. The Senate has held 33 roll call votes so far in 2020. Beacon Hill Roll Call tabulates the number of roll calls on which each senator was present and voting and then calculates that number as a percentage of the total roll call votes held. That percentage is the number referred to as the roll call attendance record. In the Senate, 34 senators (91.8 percent) have 100 percent roll call attendance records. Only three senators have missed any roll calls. Beacon Hill Roll Call contacted these senators who missed roll calls and asked them for a statement. The two senators who missed the most roll calls are Sens. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) and Mike Rush (D-West Roxbury) who each missed fi ve roll calls (84.8 percent attendance record). “On January 16, I was home with the fl u,” responded Jehlen. “There were fi ve roll calls that I missed [that day]. It’s the only session I missed.” “I was out of state on offi cial orders, training with the U.S. Navy from January 10th to January 19th, 2020,” wrote Rush. Sen. Michael Rodrigues (DWestport) missed one roll call. “I was in session participating in the debate on the climate change bill and I don’t remember missing a roll call,” responded Rodrigues. 2020 SENATE ATTENDANCE RECORD THROUGH MARCH WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been fi led. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of March 16-20, the House met for a total of three hours and 52 minutes while the Senate met for a total of six hours and 56 minutes Mon. March 16 House 11:00 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. Senate 11:19 a.m. to 1:39 p.m. Tues. March 17 House 11:03 a.m. to 11:08 a.m. Senate 11:11 a.m. to 11:17 a.m. Wed. March 18 House 11:02 a.m. to 12:03 p.m. Senate 11:08 a.m. to 11:21 a.m. Thurs. March 19 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:11 a.m. Senate 11:04 a.m. to 3:21 a.m. No Senate session Fri. March 20 No House session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Page 13 avavvyy enioroniior avvy Senior avvy vy ennioorniiori How Medicare is Covering Coronavirus Dear Savvy Senior, Is Medicare covering testing for the coronavirus? My husband and I are very nervous about this virus and would like to fi nd out if or when we should get tested, and how Medicare manages it. Dear Nelly, Yes! Medicare is indeed covering the cost of testing for the coronavirus, or COVID-19. But be aware that getting a test isn’t as simple as going to your local pharmacy or doctor’s offi ce and asking for one. Here’s a breakdown of what Medicare is covering, along with how to get tested if you think you may have symptoms. Medicare Coverage Medicare (Part B) will cover the lab test to see if you have coronavirus, but only when your doctor or other health care provider orders it. You will pay no out-of-pocket costs for these tests. In addition, Medicare also covers all medically necessary hospitalizations. This includes if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 and might otherwise have been discharged from the hospital after an inpatient stay, but instead you need to stay in the hospital under quarantine. While there’s currently no vaccine yet to protect against COVID-19, when one becomes available next year, it too will be covered by all Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D). If you happen to get your Medicare benefi ts through a private Medicare Advantage plan, you will have access to these same benefi ts. In addition, many Advantage plans are also expanding coverage of telemedicine, which allows benefi ciaries to consult with medical professionals without having to go to a doctor’s offi ce. Check with your plan for coverage details. When to Call Your Doctor Older adults, age 60 and older (especially those in their 70s and 80s), and people with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, heart, lung or kidney disease are at a higher risk of serious illness if they contract the coronavirus. So, everyone in these categories need to be vigilant. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death. If you develop any symptoms that are concerning, you should contact your primary-care provider by phone for guidance. If your doctor believes you need testing, he or she will instruct you on what to do. Unfortunately, there have been reports of test shortages across the country, so depending on where you live you may have to wait a few days. Prevention Tips To help you steer clear of COVID-19 the CDC recommends that you avoid close contact with anyone who is sick. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being out in public, blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water isn’t available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. To the extent possible, try to avoid touching your face, nose, and eyes. And avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places, like elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, and handshaking with people. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or fi nger if you must touch something. Also, clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces – tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks and cell phones. You should also avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick. The CDC also recommends that seniors and high-risk individuals stock up on supplies, such as extra medications and groceries. And, if there is an outbreak in your community, remain at home as much as possible. They also discourage non-essential travel. For more information on the COVID-19, visit Coronavirus.gov. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Nervous Nelly
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