CONGRESSMAN McCAUL REACTS TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
Local U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul has weighed in on the world-wide Coronavirus scare.
McCaul says the economic impact is being felt in Texas, with the cancellation of the annual South By Southwest celebration in Austin and the effect on oil production.
McCaul also outlines a number of precautions individuals can take to limit their chances of contracting the virus.
Here is McCaul’s message in its entirety:
An unseen threat can invoke fear and uncertainty. I understand the rising fear we’re seeing as with new cases of coronavirus each day. There are a lot of narratives spreading in the news right now; however, during a time of crisis and uncertainty, facts will tell the stories – and it is up to us to tell them.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the coronavirus is a respiratory virus that was first detected in China and has made its way to the U.S. We are seeing these affects back home, most recently with the cancellation of SXSW, and impacts to oil producers in West Texas.
In 2019, the city of Austin brought in an estimated $350 million in revenue from SXSW. The direct flow of this revenue supports musicians, local businesses, servers, bartenders and many others in the local community. Many may not know this, but one of my first jobs was a bartender - so I understand how important tips are and how much you depend on that income when big events come to town, like SXSW.
The cancellation was upsetting but I trust that Mayor Adler did not make this decision lightly. Public health and safety are of the utmost importance throughout the state of Texas and the U.S. We must take all necessary precautions to protect the health of our community members.
I expect that Congress will continue to work on an economic response to assists workers who are being affected by the coronavirus outbreak. I will be posting regular updates on my website and social media accounts on the latest developments.
There are also steps you can take to protect yourself and others in your community:
- 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.
- Wash hands for at least 20 seconds in soap and water.
Currently, there are 13 confirmed cases in the state of Texas, a majority of those are in the Houston area and one has been confirmed in North Dallas. None of these cases have been community spread, rather those who have tested positive recently traveled to areas with known cases of coronavirus.
Last week, I visited with Harris County Health officials to discuss ways they are mitigating the risk to those in our community. If you are in the Houston region or interested in updates on the area, you can use this link to find updates.
Over 1 million coronavirus testing kits have be distributed throughout the country and all 50 states now have these testing kits. Officials expect that by the end of this week, 4 million more kits will have been distributed. I am continuing to work with my colleagues across the aisle to ensure we are providing as many resources to our local and state officials to combat this virus.
Resources I have found helpful:
Former FDA chief & Harvard professor: Take smart steps to slow spread of the coronavirus
Resources for K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs
Resources for Institutes of Higher Education
What to do if you feel sick
What is being done
The President has issued travel restrictions on certain foreign nationals and most non-citizens coming from China and Iran who might transmit the virus to others.
Airport screenings have been expanded to identify anyone showing symptoms.
All Americans returning to the United States from China are being placed under a mandatory quarantine.
The United States is working with Italy and South Korea (two countries that The Department of State has issued the highest level of caution for travel) to create screenings for passengers entering the United States.
A public health emergency has been declared and additional emergency funds have been allocated (see last bullet point/graph).
Extensive preventative actions are being taken at the state and local levels to ensure that the virus can be contained and combatted quickly.
The United States is working to expedite the process of developing a vaccine, therapeutics, and monoclonal antibodies that can be used for both protective and treatment purposes.
Congressional Action
On March 4, 2020, the House approved $7.8 billion in emergency funds to combat coronavirus. These funds will help with the development of treatments and vaccines, support state and local response efforts, and make diagnostic tests readily available. They will also help the State Department and USAID fight coronavirus overseas and curb any further spread to the U.S.
Additionally, I introduced the Preventing Drug Shortages Act, which would help address the critical issue of drug shortages that affect the quality of care patients receive across the country.