I know a lot of folks are concerned about the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) right now, so I wanted to take a moment to share some steps the U.S. Senate is taking to mitigate its spread, as well as some tips to keep you and your loved ones healthy. 

My team and I have been in touch with public health authorities both in Alabama and in Washington, and will continue to push for a robust response to help keep our communities safe. Today is election day in Alabama, but I flew back to Washington to participate in an important hearing held by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee with witnesses from federal health care agencies to learn about the most recent developments in U.S. response to this outbreak. I raised my concerns about the need to quickly scale up production of coronavirus test kits and I urged them to assist our rural hospitals in particular, since so many in Alabama are already struggling financially. I'm also working with my colleagues to find ways we can quickly provide additional resources to help mitigate this outbreak. 

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19, but there are precautions you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones: 

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
• Regularly disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• Avoid travel to places with high incidence of coronavirus—see full travel advisory list here

As the allergy season starts, folks should also be mindful about the differences between seasonal allergies and coronavirus symptoms. Coronavirus symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and can present between 2-14 days after exposure.

Face masks are not recommended for individuals who are not sick. Though wearing a mask can help to prevent the spread of the virus if you are sick, they are not effective in protecting yourself from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. The U.S. Surgeon General has urged Americans to stop buying masks, as they won't help against the spread of coronavirus but take important resources away from health care professionals. 

Learn more about this virus and how to protect yourself by visiting the Centers for Disease Control's COVID-19 response website. 

The safety and health of Alabamians is my number one priority and I will continue to keep you updated as new information becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me and my staff. 

Sincerely,

Doug Jones 
Senator for Alabama