SENATOR KAINE'S MESSAGE ON THE CORONAVIRUS
You can visit vdh.virginia.gov or cdc.gov for key resources and more information about COVID-19
Scroll below to find more helpful links including frequently asked questions.
I understand this is a time of great concern for many people. Amid the COVID pandemic, I want you to know my staff and I are continuing to work tirelessly to serve Virginians and ensure the Commonwealth gets the federal support it needs. I encourage Virginians to call our office if they need assistance. Please know our casework and constituent services teams stand by ready to help.
As I continue to monitor the COVID pandemic in Virginia and across the nation, I want to share with everyone the steps Congress has taken so far to combat this public health threat and what everyone can do at home to help keep their families and communities safe.
Congress has passed six important laws with bipartisan priorities to address this pandemic. In March, we first passed an $8 billion emergency funding bill to combat the coronavirus that included funding for diagnostic testing, vaccine development, and additional resources for state and local responders who are on the front lines of this pandemic. Virginia received more than $13 million of this federal funding to help cover the costs of preparations for this public health emergency.
We then passed a second piece of legislation to provide emergency relief to workers and families, including paid sick leave and extended unemployment insurance.
The third bill - the CARES Act - invested roughly $2 trillion in the U.S. economy and health system to address the coronavirus. This package includes my priorities to provide financial relief to working Americans who are losing earnings, support small businesses, assist state and local governments, strengthen our health care system, and ensure that funding for larger businesses is used to protect their employees.
The fourth bill we passed included supplemental funding to support critical efforts like the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
In December, Congress passed a fifth COVID relief bill that includes additional direct assistance for families in the form of stimulus checks, housing assistance, food aid, unemployment assistance, as well as funding for vaccine distribution, child care, and broadband.
And in March 2021, a year after this national emergency began, Congress passed the historic $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, comprehensive legislation that provides additional direct assistance to millions of Virginians, offers vital funding to safely reopen schools, and supports communities struggling with the economic fallout from the pandemic.
Every American needs to do their part to protect ourselves and those around us. Please make sure to get your vaccine when you're able to do so. If you are experiencing symptoms, please call your health care provider.
Sacrifice is hard, but a modest sacrifice in the near term can help save the lives of people we love. So I implore every American to follow the recommendations we get from our public health officials and find ways to safely reach out to friends and family during this challenging time.
My staff and I will continue working with officials across local, state, and federal levels to ensure the health and safety of all our fellow Virginians. In the meantime, please take a look at the resources below for more information about how you can protect yourself and reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Sincerely,
Resources on Testing & Vaccines
Call (877) 829-4682 to talk to someone.
