cbn news david brody. in later, sojourners founder reverend jim wallace. then clara babineau found no on what her -- fontanelle on what her organization is doing with people who are food insecure during the coronavirus pandemic. watch c-span washington journal live sunday morning, and be sure to watch washington journal prime time on monday. director offauci, the national institute of allergies and infectious diseases, and a member of the white house coronavirus task force, will be our guest live at 8:00 p.m., taking your calls on the coronavirus pandemic. lance robertson, assistant secretary for aging in the h hs. secretary robinson, we know older adults are most at risk.

where have you focus your efforts as secretary for aging? guest: good morning, great to be with you, happy saturday morning. hhs are one of the operating divisions and very proud to have the mission of caring for older adults and people with disabilities. those are vulnerable and targeted populations with this virus so the work we do has never been more important. is the programming we offer to help people stay safely at home in their community and that work has been compounded with virus impact. we are able to serve them in a variety of ways and we are honored. what theind people administration for community living does. guest: we have three dozen programs, research institute, we offer a number of community support services that offer ways

people can remain healthy and vital in their communities. for us, we are talking things like meals, transportation, legal services, independent living assistance, transition out of facilities. a range of things. thankfully, our website is easy to navigate for those interested in a deep dive. acl.gov. int: can you do those things an age of social distancing? guest: we do. as one would expect, services have been impacted. butal operation has changed we are still doing remarkable work around core programming. meals, good example, so important, older adults and people with disabilities have opportunity to have a balanced meal and we continue through

acknowledging safety measures, delivering those meals. during the course of a normal day, we would serve 900,000 people per day. that was done through a combination of congregate settings, now closed, and home pivoted meals. we have seen a big spike in numbers. we anticipate they will climb. through thengress supplemental packages, support for meal programs, as one example, has jumped and has enabled us to serve folks in their homes. host: tom much money in the cares act is specifically for the elderly population? -- how much money? $955 million on top of the second stimulus, $250 million, specifically for the example, meals, all the $250

million in the second supplemental was directed at meal support. of the $955 million through the cares act, $480 million is directed to supporting meals service. for that one specific program, our largest, a commendable amount of support from congress and the administration. host: special phone lines in the segment with lance robertson, assistant secretary for aging, the line for those 65 and older is (202)-748-8000. we will primarily take your calls from that. all others, (202)-748-8001. go ahead and start calling in. secretary robinson, staying on meals, have you had to hire new employees to deliver meals? are the same people delivering them before this pandemic willing to get in their cars and go around and make deliveries? guest: great question, john.

i have to applaud the resiliency of our country. ebb and flow in terms of volunteers across the country, it varies per region. some of the more heavily impacted regions like new york, how they are able to muster volunteer services needed is slightly different than other parts of the country but overall, we have seen a continued resilience out of people willing to do that volunteer work. all of our meals are delivered by volunteers. these individuals are acknowledging safety precautions. how we deliver meals our in adherence to cdc regulations. we are looking at what makes sense in terms of packaging automobiles. maybe there is a pickup option for some families or seniors. in general, i'm happy to sit across the country, meal service has remained strong, people see the importance of it and i am

proud of our network of 20,000 providers who do this each day. host: we talked about that service before. it is not just the meal you're bringing in a usual visit before coronavirus. it was also the interaction, for some of these folks, that may be the only daily interaction they had. you cannot have that anymore, right? is that being cut out? guest: it is not necessarily being cut but we are have to do -- we are having to do it differently. priority one is make sure the food gets to the older adults. we are doing more by phone. wellness checks, reassurance checks, just to make sure people are ok. when a meal is dropped off through a window, they're looking ok, that is excellent and helpful. you're right, we have had to pivot how we normally did the wellness checks, which we believe is just as important as the meal. host: senior citizens,

coronavirus, our topic with lance robertson, assistant secretary for aging. leanne on the line for those 65 and older, buffalo, new york. caller: about these stimulus checks we are supposed to receive in april, i have been trying to find out, hello? host: yes? caller: sorry. i have been trying to find out, if this is added to a senior's income, will they then possibly lose extra help for medicare, which is a form of medicaid that pays for premiums and deductibles? what about food stamps? $1200 would put you over the line by $50 for the year. do you lose that for a year? potentially i could lose $5,000 because i accepted a $1200 stimulus check. thank you. host: lance robertson. guest: great question.

the caller represents a lot of common questions we are getting in the last few days. good news. irs just put together a website, highly informative, i would encourage you to go to irs.gov and you will find a brand-new coronavirus webpage that breaks down info you need to know about the stimulus checks. as example, when they will be sent out, what other qualifications. point, i just glanced at it this morning, but i believe it addresses some of those concerns people have about loss of benefits. the federal government, the president, in approving stimulus checks, would not want to have someone putatively impacted. certain circumstances differ enough, there is not one universal answer but people can rest confidently the stimulus checks are intended to support americans and evaluate the best source of info, irs.

gov/coronavirus. host: howard beach, new york, 65 and older. caller: good morning. i am 78. i qualify as a senior citizen. i am doing fairly well considering. it is difficult getting around. i am not, for the most part, leaving the house. i have my routine in the morning. doing my exercises. trying to stimulate my mind. trying to be active. trying to learn other things, including going back to writing. now because i have excess time. it.me, i'm handling i am concerned for everyone else. my grandchildren, my family. ok.dealing with it mentally

there is only one comment i would like to make. you are working for the most disgusting personality i have ever experienced. the fact that he is president of the u.s., indicates, may a countrythis is what deserves if they elect someone like this. country, thes, a leaders they deserve, well, we have gotten one. host: how long have you been working on aging issues and with seniors? guest: i am so glad bernie is modeling what it takes to be healthy and vibrant. is a role model for others in that respect, thanks for that. my history is along one in terms of being a gerontologist. oklahoma state university, i helped cofound the institute and

spent a decade working under governors of oklahoma in the aging and disability services. having been raised by my grandparents, i have always had an affinity to do what i can do to take care of older adults. host: how long of you been with health and human services? what did you do before? 2017, i started, august, may transition to washington after senate confirmation, just prior, i was in that role i mentioned, working for the governor, someone very supportive of making the transition. for me being a public servant, this was an opportunity to take my work from the state to federal level. hhs.ageing.

lance robertson, taking your questions this morning. dale, jackson, new jersey, 65 and older, go ahead. caller: good morning, mr. robertson and c-span. i am 68. i am also a family caregiver of a loved one that is 88 years old. i am representing a lot of people that are worried about caring for a loved one who may be at high risk. what are you doing for family caregivers, like myself, not only worried about themselves but worried about people they are caring for that may be at high risk for coronavirus? i can tell you clearly you are the target of who we are trying to serve. the role you are playing is so

critical, you, yourself, somewhat compromised but more importantly, you are a caregiver for someone of significant age. your point is a great one. i will try to on package and answer. take care of yourself. it is important caregivers think through, what do i need to do to make sure i am caring for myself? if you failed to do that well, you won't be able to be a good caregiver and you may heighten the risk of the one you're caring for. currently, thanks again to the support of congress and the administration, through the cares funding, we have an additional $100 million we are directing toward programs that support family caregivers. we have half a dozen different services we offer, dale. the biggest one is a respite program -- how do we make sure you are doing ok, have the information and support you need? you can find out more info specifically at our website, a c

cl.gov. i have a toll-free number that is an excellent starting point requestse who has info or needs answers. eldercare locator. 677-1116. either that phone number for the i believe.c.l..gov, is an excellent entry portal you will need for your own well-being as well as the one you're caring for. host: twitter with a comment. "the next biggest issue for people over 55 will be getting a job, if they lost it due to coronavirus." guest: i understand that concern. i cannot completely refute that but i can promise that

individual the administration for community living, not a day goes by we are not advocating heavily for better workforce opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities. we are seeing a response to that pre-covid and we will lean in post covid to make sure those folks, whether older or with a disability are offered that opportunity and i will be honest, i think more places thrive more effectively when they bring such talents on board. host: vermont, christopher, 65 and older. caller: good morning, lance. you know,, i have an unusual situation. i am 66. my wife and i have being helicopter caregivers for my parents in maine, 90 and 88. they recently got on meals on wheels and days ago we got a phone call and they said, well, the person who delivered your

meals on tuesday has tested positive for coronavirus. i'm sorry, we will not be able to give you meals next week. how did that make sense that you cut off 90-year-olds because the person who delivered their meals with gloves and a mask tested positive for coronavirus? thank you very much. guest: i am very sorry to hear that from vermont and certainly acknowledge, i know from spot checks i do every day across most states in this country, that is a rarity. most providers take extreme precautions to make sure deliverers are healthy and not exposing seniors receiving meals. you know, i really hope the state of vermont and the local service provider are working diligently on ways to get around that problem and restart those services. i can say, undoubtedly, every provider is committed to that. i think we all are knowledge

they are trying to balance the necessity of delivery but also the health and well-being of volunteers and staff members preparing those meals. i am very sorry to hear that situation. continue to explore situations like that as a federal partner. that locator number, they can reach out, and my commitment is, we will do all we can to help restore that service and to work with states and local communities to make sure we can get around obstacles, such as the one mentioned. abuse prevention is a big part of your mission. how do you do that now? guest: boy, it sickens me how many folks are ready to hop on situations like this to take advantage of vulnerable people. during the course of a normal day, we do a lot of fraud prevention, abuse, neglect,

exploitation work. that is a growing issue in our society, sadly, older adults and people with disabilities are abused, and neglected and exploded. we are seeing a spike in scams. we are trying to warn everybody, take sensible precautions, certainly do not give info out to folks who show up on your door or call you. a good example, there was a big medicare number scam going on now where they are collecting medicare numbers, then doing false billing. there is a lot of false test kits, different resources people are offering. these perpetrators are so creative and sophisticated, i can understand why somebody might believe it is credible. i would caution people, anytime, any time you are approached about this or that particular deal, validate that and have it checked out. contact local law enforcement. contact the locator number i mentioned. reach out. ask questions.

to credible folks, before you give away info, all of that needs to be protected during this time, not even really during covid, but beyond. people can help us out as a federal partner, just be incredibly cautious about relinquishing personal info that could be used or exploited. host: less than 10 minutes left with lance robertson, assistant secretary for aging, hhs, head of the administration for community living, joining us via zoom. mary, green cove springs, florida. caller: good morning and thank you both for taking my question. actually, i have two. first, i would like to know how the money is being distributed and if it is being distributed equally to each state? my second question is, what is

happening to elderly who are homeless? in green cove springs here, we do not even have a shelter for homeless people. there is elderly homeless people. i want to know how they are being taken care of because i'm very upset over this. there is a lot of seniors out there, 65 and over, that do not have anything. they are out on the streets. i want to know how they are being taken care of. are you looking for these people? and helping them? because i don't want them to die like that. please, i hope you will help them. host: thank you. guest: mary, i hear you loud and clear. good morning down in florida. the stimulus amounts we were talking about now, up to $1.2 billion for the administration for community living, those dollars are dispersed via existing and approved formula.

absolutely, every state anticipates the amount they will get and are working diligently to get those dollars, once they receive it from us as the federal partner, down to the local community providers to make sure services continue to be delivered. everyone, from the local to state to federal levels, are grateful to the congress and administration for those additional dollars because they translate directly into services. a common example is meals. florida, to show you the spike, during a normal day, non-covid today, we would serve 45,000 meals in the state of florida. now, i was talking to the state director there a couple days ago. in miami-dade county, they served 77,000 meals. you can see a real spike. it is so essential we make sure people are fed. dollars arethose quickly being used effectively. it is an honor to do so. about the homeless population,

we are working quite diligently with partners across federal government, not within our specific responsibility, but i can tell you hhs, administration of children and family spearheads the federal government, one of their primary initiatives around homelessness. the lighthouse is very involved as well. -- white house is very involved as well. i wish that were an issue we could eradicate tomorrow. the federal government is working diligently on that, mary, i hear you, we do not want ls to homeless individua suffer in an unnecessary way. i can commit that the federal government remains committed to helping the homeless situation. the president has worked with, for example, california, to address the higher homeless population numbers, in a proactive way to resolve those issues. hopefully prevent them for tomorrow. host: west liberty, kentucky,

cindy, 65 and older. caller: good morning. my husband is 67. i. am 65 . we are scared to go to the grocery store. he has copd. i am diabetic and have heart problems. i am the one that goes to store on senior day. no one wears masks. how do you get these home delivery meals? how do you qualify? guest: cindy, thank you for being cautious for your health and the sake of your husband. i am sure you wear masks when you go out. hopefully we minimize how many times you have to go out. if you will reach out to that eldercare locator number, 1-8 00-677-1116. that number covers the entire nation, every county, every part of the u.s. when you make that call, they will connect you to the local

service provider who can sign you up for home delivered meals. they may be able to assist you if you need help with, as example, registering for home delivery from local grocery store or a big box store or walmart. that is becoming more popular and common, it is a safer measure for older adults. that may be something you could also explore, both through the help of the locator. anything you can do to limit the number of times you have to walk out that door, that is a good thing. host: when it comes to meals on wheels, home food delivery, what do you have to show to qualify? guest: according to the law, there is no income requirement. it is simply the age requirement. as long as you qualify and you are the proper age, that is excellent. i can tell you we are seeing a lot of flexibility because of

the virus to make sure people are fed. certainly, how we as a federal government report out on who gets meals, that will remain important, but i think at the top of the list is making sure folks who are vulnerable at any age are receiving a meal. we have seen a lot of that flexibility, particularly in the cares act language. i would encourage any listener, of any age, whether for themselves or for someone they know, reach out to that eldercare locator number or go on our website at acl.gov. all of that is clearly explained. when it comes to meals, the eligibility requirement is simple. host: what is the age requirement? guest: 60 and older for meals. for grandchildren, 55 and older. i would jump on there. it is clearly spelled out. you don't need to worry about any income requirement, which

often is the case with federally supported programs. host: scott, arlington, virginia, all others. caller: good morning, mr. secretary. i want to thank you for your public service. i am a little older than you but one question i have is, what are you doing to work with private sector? guest: i cannot thank you enough for that. i am a partnership guy. honestly, everything we are doing, everything we hope to do if we continue to serve a large and growing number of older americans is going to be through partnerships. for us, i could spend a lot of time breaking down some of those public-private partnerships. the administration is supportive of that. through the meals program, the ofmon example, we have a lot private-sector sector partners who have stepped up to help with

production, delivery, folks really feeling the gap, and it is that private sector commitment i believe in all fairness, has really made the difference. within the construct that we support the federal government, we see such a norm is jump in demand. the only way that is ever going to be properly filled his through the arrangements we are making with private sector partners. those are growing, even beyond meals. the technology assistance we're getting from companies to address social isolation for older adults. i could go on with examples. the restaurant industry, meals, they have stepped up. lots of good examples across the country of private sector partners who are saying, how can we help? we are so grateful for that. dakota,an out of south 65 and older. caller: good morning, thank you for letting me speak.

i just logged on recently. i wondered if, this pandemic going on, if the state services for, like, or whatever they call it can be given to all elderly straight woross our -- we have t counties doing it. there are some knowledgeable the meals on wheels because they .ive 100 feet from the line it and they are not eligible for service. i am wondering if the government could override those boundaries and let everybody be eligible? host: thank you for the call. mr. robertson? guest: we are as flexible as we

have ever been in the way any sort of service delivery, and certainly a response like this, you're talking about the formula of services being locally executed. we have been encouraging state and local partners to be flexible and find creative ways to make sure a person does not go without a meal. -- wee lots of examples have been addressing that episodically across the country. given the flexibility in the cares act and the posture we are in, this is a highly flexible time. we want to make sure people are fed and taking care of. once this coronavirus is gone, thankfully we can circle back and talk about lessons learned and put in place measures that make even more sense moving forward for delivery of services. host: lance robertson is the assistant secretary at health and human services for aging. we appreciate your

>> share your experiences and ask expert your question's. join our conversation on washington journal which starts at 7:00 a.m. eastern and more weeknights at 8:00 p.m. eastern for washington journal prime time. inues. host: lauren-brooke eisen is at the brennan center where she leads the organization efforts to end mass incarceration. what are the latest numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths amongst the more than 2 million americans who are incarcerated in state, federal, and local prisons? 1300: there are about confirmed cases behind bars across the united states. the cook county jail in chicago, illinois is the largest known source of covid-19 infection. so fat