I know there is a lot of anxiety surrounding the spread of COVID-19, also known as the “coronavirus.” I want to quickly update you on what we’ve been doing in Congress to tackle this crisis.

Last week, we passed an $8 billion emergency funding bill to combat the spread of COVID-19. This includes more than $2 billion for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), $3 billion for a public health emergency fund that includes money for National Institutes of Health (NIH) vaccine research, and $1.3 billion to provide assistance to Americans who are currently abroad.

Now, House Democrats are working to pass legislation that provides emergency paid leave for employees affected by the outbreak, free coronavirus testing for all, a $2 billion boost to state unemployment insurance programs, more than $1 billion in nutritional aid, and an increase in federal Medicaid funds.

If you’d like to take action, please urge the Senate to act immediately to support this legislation.

There’s no doubt based on the rising counts of new cases around the country that this is going to be a serious issue for our communities. I want to remind everyone of these preventative actions may help stop the spread of this disease:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay at home if you’re sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue

It’s never been more important to stay informed, folks. Visit the CDC’s website for the latest coronavirus news and what you need to know: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. For the latest Rhode Island updates, please see the Rhode Island Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

Thanks,

-- David