Dear Friend,

I’m writing to update you on the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak and my work in the Senate to make sure Virginia and the country as a whole are responding appropriately to this threat. At the time of this writing, 17 cases of coronavirus have been reported here in Virginia, and Governor Northam has issued an emergency declaration that provides the Commonwealth with enhanced tools to combat this outbreak.

The most important thing for all of us to do is to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health officials to minimize the risk of contracting and spreading the virus. I have embedded the CDC’s coronavirus information page on my Senate website, and encourage you to visit the site for both the latest guidance, as well as updates on my work on this issue.

In the time since the coronavirus reached the United States, Congress passed an $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus response bill, which the President signed into law. This legislation will direct needed resources to federal, state and local agencies responding to coronavirus. It will also immediately provide Virginia with $13.3 million in federal funding to help cover the costs of preparations for this public health emergency. 

With Congress and the President now working towards an economic stimulus package for those facing economic insecurity due to coronavirus, I will continue to push for measures that take care of workers, not just companies’ bottom lines. My message is simple: no one should have to choose between a paycheck and following the instructions of public health officials. We must help workers who’ve been furloughed, lost their jobs, or had their hours cut — as well gig workers, independent contractors, and others who don’t have paid leave.

Since the outbreak began, I have been in contact with federal, state, and local officials, as well as business leaders, calling on them to respond appropriately to the threats posed by coronavirus. For a full list of my work in the Senate and additional public health information from the CDC, I encourage you to visit my website, then use the survey below to share your thoughts on the coronavirus with me.

If you want to share your thoughts about an issue that’s important to you, you can send me an email any time using the form on my Senate website. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,