Hi John,

There are now more than 51,000 cases of coronavirus in Ohio, a number that is rising every day. We must do better. In order to stay safe and healthy, we must listen and adhere to the advice of the experts. We must hold each other accountable. In these troubling and tumultuous times, we must understand that success can only be achieved if we work together.

The need to stand united against the coronavirus is clear to me and my fellow Democrats. Yet, far too many of our Republican counterparts do not seem to understand this necessity. We have seen the disastrous effects of premature reopenings in our state. Our state’s initial aggressive and scientifically supported approach was applauded by the rest of the country. We were leaders. Since then, Republicans have pressured our state to prematurely reopen and held the house out of session. This prioritization of the economy over human lives has already proven to be disastrous. 

We are in desperate need of stronger leadership. We need legislators with backbones, who will stand up to corporations and lobbyists. We need legislators who prioritize the people they serve, not private interests.

As an educator, I know how difficult the coronavirus health crisis has been for students and teachers.They have had to adjust to an unfamiliar learning environment and many are struggling with student loans. That is why I introduced House Bill 603, to assist students with state loans by suspending payments and waiving interest rates. I have been working since the start of the pandemic to help the most vulnerable in our community, while our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have their priorities elsewhere.

In order to continue serving you, I need your support. I know these are difficult times, but I hope you will consider supporting my re-election campaign with a donation of $10, $25, or $50 to help my fight continue for positive change in Ohio.

There are a number of coronavirus testing centers available if you or a loved one needs to get tested. There are at least 10 testing centers in Columbus, with Columbus Public Health operating their main site at 240 Parsons Avenue. Other locations in the city can be found on the Columbus Public Health website at www.columbus.gov/publichealth. Some testing sites are drive-through and all sites require scheduling an appointment. You can always contact Columbus Public Health at 614-645-1519 with any questions concerning the pandemic.

Elsewhere in District 19, testing may be available at your local CVS, Walmart, or Urgent Care. Please call ahead to make sure they are conducting tests and to schedule an appointment, as sites can have limited testing capacity. For more information about the coronavirus and where you can get tested, call the Ohio Department of Health at 833-427-5634 or visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov.