AMY KENNEDY RELEASES POLICY TO ADDRESS CORONAVIRUS

Calls on Washington to pass Families First Act, offer support to small business and act to prevent future pandemics

Brigantine, NJ—Amy Kennedy, a candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 2^nd congressional district, today called on Washington to act boldly to address the coronavirus pandemic and outlined a number of steps that we should take in this critical moment.

“America is at its best when we come together at moments of crisis,” said Kennedy. “The coronavirus is a crisis of national and global scale, and it demands bold leadership in response. We need to act quickly to protect the health and wellbeing of our loved ones. We need to invest to ensure our that our economy is strong enough to weather the outbreak. And we need Washington to act with strength, seriousness, and compassion, both to contain and treat this epidemic, and to prevent future threats to our public health.”

Kennedy outlined several steps Washington should take to address the pandemic and keep families safe, including passing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, supporting small businesses, acting to prevent future pandemics, and offering steps our families can take to support one another during this stressful and dangerous time.

Said Kennedy:

1)      First, Congress needs to act quickly to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This critical legislation will help to contain the coronavirus outbreak by making sure that workers have access to testing and support if they are sick.

As schools close, too many parents are struggling to figure out how to provide and afford childcare. And too many workers have to choose between their paychecks and staying home if they are ill. That’s why this legislation gives all employees—including contractors and gig economy workers—14 days of paid sick leave if they have to take time off work due to coronavirus. It strengthens state unemployment and nutritional programs like food stamps and senior meals. It protects the health care workers on the front lines of this crisis. And provides free coronavirus testing to everyone who needs it.

I urge members of Congress to come together around a bipartisan package that protects the health and wellbeing of our neighbors.

2)      Second, we need to continue supporting small businesses disrupted by coronavirus. Small and independent businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and our Atlantic City community. Yet across the country, many businesses owners fear that the coronavirus epidemic will have dramatic impacts on local consumer spending—especially as we implement the mitigation efforts experts say is necessary to contain it.

Congress has already provided an initial round of small business loans. But more emergency funding will likely be needed to help businesses weather disruptions and support local jobs. It is particularly important to support businesses that rely on travel and tourism, as so many do here in South Jersey.

We also need to begin building stronger and more diversified supply chains. The coronavirus epidemic has made clear how dangerously reliant we are on China to supply everything from electronics and medicines to chemicals and key parts of our U.S. military equipment. We need to stop moving production overseas and invest in rebuilding our manufacturing capacity here at home.

3)      Third, we need to act now to prevent future epidemics. The same leadership vacuum that allowed coronavirus to spread in the U.S. will limit our ability to prevent, contain, and treat infectious diseases in the future. We need to fully fund the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and provide our hospitals and health care providers with the resources they need to prepare for outbreaks and natural disasters. We need to invest in basic science, in vaccine development, and in evidence-based treatments. We need to build clear lines of communications with state and local agencies and with the public. And we need to expand access to high-quality, affordable health care. We will all be safer and healthier if everyone is able to afford their copays and receive the health care they need without fear of cost.

4)      Finally, we need to support one another throughout this outbreak. As a mental health advocate, I know it is natural to be concerned about the coronavirus and its impact on your family or community. And, as a public school teacher and mother of five, I understand how stressful school and college closings can be on students, parents, and employees.

Now more than ever, it is important that we be gracious and supportive of one another. Those who are experiencing fear and worry should seek out the help they need from their family, their loved ones, or their mental health provider. Those with pre-existing mental health or substance use disorders should continue with their treatment plans and monitor for new symptoms. And all of us should take care of our bodies and mental and physical health—whether by taking time to rest or connect with friends, or by taking breaks from news coverage of the coronavirus.

I urge everyone to read the CDC’s guidelines for coping during the coronavirus, and to seek out help if they need it.