As coronavirus progresses and the circumstances change, I want you to know that I’m doing everything in my power to advocate for you both in New York City and in Washington.

Here in New York, I led a New York Congressional Delegation letter that called on Mayor Bill de Blasio to shut down schools to keep our kids safe. Our efforts paid off with the recent school closure announcement and, as painful as it is to disrupt normal education, our communities’ safety and health has to be our priority right now.

That’s why I also led the effort to demand that the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (both high traffic national parks) were closed to the public.

In Washington, I fought like hell to get as many pro-worker and provisions as possible into the coronavirus relief packages. It is critical that we put families first and protect Americans from the public health and economic fallout of this pandemic.

Obstructionists who stand in the way of relief are putting innocent people in danger and I’m committed to holding them accountable for their actions.

I’m also asking tough questions to anyone who will listen about why more isn’t being done to use the full power of the federal government to produce more life-saving ventilators and other medical equipment that will be necessary as more cases appear.

The bottom line is this: we are all in this together and we will get through to the other side.

Please continue to take the recommended precautions to keep yourselves and your neighbors safe. You can find updated safety tips and information at the New York State Department of Health and sign up for updates on the city’s COVID-19 text alert program by texting COVID to 692692 (NYC-NYC).

Thank you for treating your fellow Americans with kindness and compassion while social distancing to help “flatten the curve.”

In solidarity,

Jerry