I want to take this opportunity to share important information related to coronavirus and what you can to do help prevent the spread of disease. Please know that I am monitoring this situation as it evolves and will continue to provide updates to my constituents. Ensuring the health and safety of the American people is our number one priority. 

Oklahoma Resources


Congress is Taking Action 

Our country is well positioned to tackle public health emergencies like coronavirus. Last year, President Trump signed the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act into law. This bill reauthorized our public health preparedness and response programs and gives officials the tools they need in order to respond quickly and effectively to ongoing threats. Congress has also continually invested in our public health agencies, which has equipped them to handle situations like this one. 

President Trump and his administration have taken decisive action to protect Americans and they will continue to do so. Congress is committed to working with them to ensure adequate resources are made available to respond to coronavirus. Congress passed an emergency supplemental funding package and President Trump signed it into law. 

The emergency supplemental funding bill provides $7.8 billion in appropriations including:

· More than $4 billion to make diagnostic tests more readily available, support treatments to ease symptoms for those infected with the virus, invest in vaccine development and procure vaccines when they are available.

· $2.2 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) including nearly $1 billion for state and local response efforts and $300 million for CDC’s Infectious Diseases Rapid Response Reserve Fund.

· $20 million to administer disaster assistance loans for small businesses impacted by coronavirus.

· $1.25 billion for the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to protect Americans abroad and prevent the spread of the virus worldwide.

On March 18th, the Senate passed legislation adopted by the House earlier this week, and then President Trump signed the bill into law. This legislation expands testing for all Americans, provides paid sick leave for workers impacted by the coronavirus, and gives small businesses the flexibility they need to to care for their employees and remain open. 

Myth Vs. Fact 

MYTH: Social distancing doesn't reduce the spread of coronavirus. 
FACT: COVID-19 spreads through person-to-person and community spread. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19, even if they aren't experiencing symptoms, can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others. To help reduce the number of people infected at a time, it is recommended that everyone practice social distancing. 

MYTH: Facemasks should be worn by everyone to prevent you from getting the disease. 
FACT: CDC does not recommend that people who are not sick wear facemasks to protect themselves from respiratory diseases. You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it. People who show symptoms of COVID-19 should wear facemasks to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. Health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings, like at home or a health care facility, should also wear facemasks. 

MYTH: Coronavirus is just like the flu. 
FACT: COVID-19 is a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses, but this one is new. There is no vaccine for COVID-19 like there is for the seasonal flu. If you are experiencing symptoms, contact your health care provider.  

MYTH: Practicing good hygiene does not reduce the spread of disease. 
FACT: The best way to prevent the spread of disease is by washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, mouth and face, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. 

MYTH: You cannot travel within the United States because of the pandemic. 
FACT: There are currently no federal restrictions on traveling within the United States. However, travelers should use caution when traveling or postpone non-essential travel. Crowded travel settings, like airports, may increase chances of getting COVID-19, if there are other travelers with coronavirus infection. Click here for a full list of things to consider before you travel. 

MYTH: Cures for coronavirus are available on the internet. 
FACT: There is currently no cure for COVID-19. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, contact your health care provider. 

Preventing Spread of Disease

Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a respiratory illness and patients have had mild to severe symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath and may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure.

If you develop symptoms, have been in close contact with someone known to have COVID-19, or have recently traveled to an area with widespread or community spread of COVID-19, call your doctor.

There are simple things you can do to help prevent the spread of disease: 

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick. 
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. 
• Follow CDC's recommendations on wearing a facemask. CDC does not recommend that people who are not sick wear facemasks to protect themselves from respiratory diseases. People who show symptoms of COVID-19 should wear facemasks to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. Health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings, like at home or a health care facility, should also wear facemasks. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Those who have the greatest risk of the coronavirus are the most vulnerable populations, like seniors and those with other health conditions. There is currently no vaccine available for COVID-19. The National Institutes of Health and private industry are working as quickly as they can to develop a vaccine, but one will not be ready for the public for at least a year. 

Travel Restrictions For More Information

To get the latest information on coronavirus, visit the CDC's website or Twitter. 

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