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If your company or organization has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic because of the social distancing requirements and shelter-in-place orders, you may be eligible to participate in the newly-authorized programs sponsored by the Small Business Association SBA). There are four programs. 1. The  Paycheck Protection Program  is intended to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their employees on the payroll . From the SBA: You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program. Lenders may begin processing loan applications as soon as April 3, 2020. The Paycheck Protection Program ...

Join Our Telehealth Affinity Group If you haven't already registered for our telehealth affinity group, it's not too late!  As you know, the telehealth regulations are rapidly changing to meet the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working with key stakeholders to support health care professionals wherever they are in providing telehealth services. Our first virtual session will be Friday, April 17, at 1:00 PM MDT . We will then hold virtual sessions every Friday for the next four weeks to discuss: 1.    Plan: What you need to know to get started 2.    Do: Fine tuning your process 3.    Study: What is working? What is not working? 4.    Act: Make changes to processes and engage specific patient populations Sessions will be recorded, and registered participants can access any sessions they miss when their schedule allows. If you are interested in registering to join our telehealth ...

On 8 April 2020, was responsible for the deaths of 1,940 people in the US. So, how does that compare with other causes of death? On average,129 individuals die by suicide each day in the US. During the same period, another 333 die because of Alzheimer’s disease. Heart disease takes another 1,774. For an illustration about how COVID-19 as the cause of death increased and supplanted other causes of death between 1 March and 6 April 2020, click here .

Advance Care Planning - The ABCs and the Effect of the Covid-19 Virus Montana State University is offering a webinar on advance care planning . Led by Dr. Borgenicht, geriatrician, palliative care physician and Medical Director of Hospice of Bozeman  this webinar will address ways to have appropriate advance care planning discussions with patients and families.  She will also discuss the role of advance directives and Physician's Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) especially in the current environment. The role of palliative care and hospice will also be addressed. According to the announcement, the intended audience includes providers, nurses, social workers, etc. Date: Tuesday, 14 April 2020 Time: 1200 hours (MDT) Information regarding how to access the webinar may be found here .

COVID-19: Indian Country There are seven Indian reservations in Montana. In 'normal' times, each of these locations confronts significant challenges resulting from very high unemployment, substance abuse, teen-age pregnancy, hunger and inadequate housing, every day. The results of these and other factors are devastating. The  Montana Healthcare Foundation summarized it this way : In a 2014 report on the health of Montanans, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services documented severe health disparities among American Indians living in Montana. The report found that American Indians in Montana die at a median age of 50 years (more than 20 years earlier than non-Indian Montanans). Death rates for specific illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, respiratory illnesses, injuries, and suicide are substantially higher as well. COVID-19 only serves to exacerbate these dreadful statitisics, especially for those with heart disease and respira...

We’re in uncharted waters. Lives are in upheaval and well-honed routines in disarray. As the pandemic draws out and days turn into weeks and the weeks into months, it is more important then ever to step back and reflect on self care. The Mayo Clinic offers some useful advice .  By Mayo Clinic Staff COVID-19 and your mental health Worries and anxiety about COVID-19 and its impact can be overwhelming. Social distancing makes it even more challenging. Learn ways to cope during this pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has likely brought many changes to how you live your life, and with it uncertainty, altered daily routines, financial pressures and social isolation. You may worry about getting sick, how long the pandemic will last and what the future will bring. Information overload, rumors and misinformation can make your life feel out of control and make it unclear what to do. During the COVID-19 pande...

Don’t Laugh . . . there aren’t enough. Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 Español Printer friendly version pdf icon How to Wear a Cloth Face Covering Cloth face coverings should— fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face be secured with ties or ear loops include multiple layers of fabric allow for breathing without restriction be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape CDC on Homemade Cloth Face Coverings CDC 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. CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.  Cloth face coverings fashioned from household ...