As we come together as a nation to battle the coronavirus, Congress passed this week a second legislative package addressing this crisis called the Family First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) which President Trump signed into law.
The provisions in this bill include paid sick and medical leave for employees who need it, free tests for COVID-19 symptomatic patients, and protections and relief for small mom-and-pop shops who are suffering because of this outbreak. I was pleased to support this package to help Americans directly impacted by the coronavirus.
In addition to this package, we have already taken steps to appropriate nearly $8.4 billion in funding for the appropriate federal agencies tasked with responding to the coronavirus, and President Trump has taken the necessary steps to combat this public health threat, including an early travel ban with China, stopping all travel from Europe, extending Medicare’s coverage for telehealth services, and cutting red tape at the Food and Drug Administration so new treatments can be approved in an expedited fashion.
The top priority right now is for people to take the steps necessary to be safe. I am concerned about the impact of this outbreak on our families, businesses, schools, and industries, but am confident we will continue to make strides and bend the curve so we get through this as soon as possible as American ingenuity and American spirit carries the day.
I wanted to take a moment to thank all of the medical professionals and staff who are on the frontlines confronting the coronavirus.
These professionals, like the doctors and staff at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital who we tasked with the first case of coronavirus in the district and who are working around-the-clock to keep our friends and neighbors healthy and safe, are the best America has to offer.
My staff and I are in discussions with all our MO-4 hospitals and are advocating for what they need and letting them know we are here to support and help.
I also want to acknowledge our truck drivers who are driving far distances and working diligently to keep our food supplies and basic goods stocked, our postal workers who make sure that families are getting the deliveries they need, and our supermarket and store employees who have been working hard to ensure that we have access to the food and products we need.
We all have skin in the game. Even the young and healthy folks who don’t feel ill can be carrying and transmitting the virus; that’s why it is important for everyone to follow the CDC guidelines, limit your interactions with folks outside and in public, and get the proper medical attention if you feel ill.
As steps are taken to address this concern, I will continue to monitor progress and stand ready to support future actions as need warrants. I feel confident we will get through this together as a nation and encourage everyone to be vigilant in basic health precautions, faithful in prayer, and positive in attitude and support of those around you.
For more information on the coronavirus, I encourage you to click here for updates from my office and here for information from the Missouri Department of Health.
I also want to acknowledge our truck drivers who are driving far distances and working diligently to keep our food supplies and basic goods stocked, our postal workers who make sure that families are getting the deliveries they need, and our supermarket and store employees who have been working hard to ensure that we have access to the food and products we need.
We all have skin in the game. Even the young and healthy folks who don’t feel ill can be carrying and transmitting the virus; that’s why it is important for everyone to follow the CDC guidelines, limit your interactions with folks outside and in public, and get the proper medical attention if you feel ill.
As steps are taken to address this concern, I will continue to monitor progress and stand ready to support future actions as need warrants. I feel confident we will get through this together as a nation and encourage everyone to be vigilant in basic health precautions, faithful in prayer, and positive in attitude and support of those around you.
For more information on the coronavirus, I encourage you to click here for updates from my office and here for information from the Missouri Department of Health.
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