Friends,

The safety and well-being of all Upstate New Yorkers, especially our most vulnerable, will always be my top priority.

Overnight, I voted in the House to pass life-saving bipartisan legislation, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, that will expand access to free testing, provide $1 billion in food aid and extend sick leave benefits to vulnerable Americans.

The House has done its job, and now, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act heads to the Senate and to President Trump’s desk. We need leaders on both sides of the aisle to work together and put politics aside to enact this critical public health and economic package. Our work is not done -- we must continue to do everything in our power to support health care workers, help families, and make sure testing is free.

I will continue to work around the clock with my colleagues in Congress, across the Administration, and at the state and local levels to ensure hardworking families get the help they need during this public health crisis.

Finally, we should all continue to remain vigilant to slow down the spread of coronavirus. Remember, please follow these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to continue to keep yourself and our community safe:

• Know the symptoms. If you’re experiencing a cough, fever, difficulty breathing, or pneumonia, please isolate yourself and contact your doctor.
• Keep a safe space from family, friends, or anyone you come in contact with who is sick.
• Wash your hands often, with soap and warm water, for 20 seconds at a time.
• Clean and disinfect any hard surfaces in your home or work environment.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when you cough or sneeze.

Please continue to check the Centers for Disease Control’s COVID-19 website or call the New York Department of Health’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-364-3065.

Thank you and stay healthy,

Anthony Brindisi