John,

The good news is that COVID-19 hospitalizations, infection rates, intubations, ICU admissions and death rates in New York are all now declining. With that being said, we still have more work to do to continue this trajectory, protect public health and provide vital economic assistance to workers and small business owners. All New Yorkers have been affected by this outbreak, and it is going to take every one of us, together, doing everything in our power to combat it. To that end, I wanted to inform you of some of the many updates from the past few days with ongoing efforts to slow the spread of this virus in our community.

Upstate Medical University sent another group of 22 healthcare professionals to Stony Brook University Hospital, in addition to the 22 they sent the week before. It is because of our nurses, doctors, respiratory technicians, pharmacists and more that we are able to confront this battle against COVID-19 head on. Long Island will certainly not forget this act of kindness.

I was appointed by President Trump to his bipartisan Opening Up America Again Congressional Group. Last Thursday, the task force had our first official call with the President. We are going to need much more NON-Partisan action taken to get our economy booming again while preventing a second wave of this outbreak that has already caused so much harm to so many Americans.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program ran out of money last Thursday. This is absolutely inexcusable. It wasn't any surprise that the funds were about to run dry, but Congress still failed to act. I have called on the Speaker to hold a vote instantly to replenish this funding! Half of our nation's workforce is made up of small business employees. This is a dangerous, consequential failure to act. Small businesses desperately need this immediate financial assistance to survive this pandemic.

A new antibody blood test by Chembio Diagnostics on Long Island was granted an Emergency Use Authorization last week. Testing remains critical in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. The test takes 15 minutes and tells you whether you have or have ever had the virus. New York State will also begin rapidly performing antibody tests this week to get a better picture of how wide spread this virus truly is.

Throughout this crisis, we have continued to see Long Islanders step up and do everything they can to support our incredible healthcare professionals and other front line workers. Last week, an anonymous donor gave $1 million to the healthcare staff at Peconic Bay Medical Center who put themselves on the line every day. We also see great local business owners selflessly producing PPE, like Richard Vandenburgh and John Leigey of Greenport Harbor Brewing co. and Jamie, Bob, and William Mills of William J. Mills & Co. who are now producing face shields for Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital.

We aren't going to get through this as Republicans or Democrats, but as one community, state, and nation. Thank you to everyone who is chipping in and doing their part.

Be Well, Best Wishes and Stay Healthy,