John,

We can help limit the spread of COVID by staying up-to-date on vaccines and taking COVID tests if we or a loved one is feeling sick.

The federal government is once again shipping four free COVID tests to households who request them.

Click here to request your free COVID tests and the U.S. Postal Service will deliver them directly to you.

Note: Testing regularly is helpful even if you don’t feel symptoms, because about half of all COVID cases are asymptomatic. Tests are also more accurate if you test twice in 48 hours, and if you swab the inside of your cheeks before swabbing your nose.

There are also updated COVID-19 vaccines available for children and adults, which are effective against the current strains of the virus that are out there now.

You can schedule your vaccine appointment at your local Rite Aid, CVS, or Walgreens—or contact your healthcare provider.

If you are uninsured or underinsured, please check out our prior email about how to contact your local health department about the possibility of receiving a free vaccine, and to find more information about how uninsured children aged 18 and younger can get free vaccines at particular providers.

Thank you for staying up-to-date with the latest vaccines, which helps to lower the chances of infection and reduce the risk of developing long COVID.

I will keep fighting for your and your family’s health, including pushing for universal healthcare and an end to medical debt.

Always serving you,

Rashida

-- ORIGINAL EMAIL --

John,

New vaccines for recent COVID-19 variants are now available, just in time for the current summer surge and an upcoming winter surge of the virus.

Please schedule your vaccine appointment at your local CVS or Walgreens, where you can get both a flu shot and an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Or contact your healthcare provider directly.

If you have insurance through a private insurer or Medicare or Medicaid, your vaccines will likely be covered at no cost to you.

Unfortunately, the federal Bridge Access Program that provided free vaccines to uninsured adults just ended in August, leaving the most vulnerable communities behind. For the 25 million U.S. residents without health insurance, the out-of-pocket cost for these vaccines could be between $100 and $200.

If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you can find where you may be able to get a free COVID vaccine by checking with your local public health department. Let them know that you do not have health insurance. In Michigan, our state’s Adult Vaccine Program has received thousands of doses to provide for free or reduced cost at local health departments and Tribal health centers.

Uninsured children aged 18 and younger can still get COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines for free through the federal Vaccines for Children Program. Please check with your child’s doctor’s office or use the above link to find your local health department.

While staying up-to-date with the latest vaccines helps to lower the chances of infection and reduce the risk of developing long COVID, experts recommend using multiple layers of protection to keep ourselves and our communities safe.

People can be contagious without having symptoms, so testing regularly also helps prevent spread. Keep an eye out toward the end of this month: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will again ship up to four free COVID-19 tests per household, which you’ll be able to order online.

If you do test positive for COVID-19, you can reduce the risk of developing long COVID by resting as much as possible and checking with your healthcare provider about getting a prescription for Paxlovid.

Gathering outdoors is another way to reduce risk. When indoors, we can reduce the amount of time the virus stays in the air by filtering or ventilating indoor air by using air purifiers and opening windows. Spread by people’s breath, COVID is an airborne virus that lingers in the air like smoke, which is why wearing well-fitting masks is another important layer of protection.

I promise to continue fighting in Congress for a stronger social safety net, including more federal funding for COVID-19 protections, lower prescription prices, an end to medical debt, and free healthcare for all.

Always serving you,

Rashida