Coronavirus Outbreak
I am continuing to monitor the situation of the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington state. As we get more information, we will keep this webpage updated.
The best way to protect yourself and your family is to practice good hygiene habits. Wash your hands often, don't touch your face, cough into your elbow, give yourself distance from people who are sick, and if you think you are sick, CALL your doctor's office first.
My office has created a COVID-19 resource guide that hopefully you will find helpful. Aquí puede encontrar el enlace para mi guía de recursos comunitarios en español. Some of the information from the guide is also below. Find my state and local resources for farmers and farm workers here.
To stay up-to-date information about the coronavirus and how I am working for the 8th district, sign up for my newsletter.
Actions I Have Taken
Legislation:
Introduced the No-Cost for COVID-19 Testing Act that was included in the second COVID-19 funding package.
Co-led the Immediate Relief for Rural Facilities and Providers Act of 2020 (H.R. 6365) with Rep. David Roe (R-TN-01), which provides needed funding to rural hospitals.
Co-led H.R. 6516 with Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN-05) to allow the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to accept pharmaceuticals, PPE, and medical devices along with monetary donations.
Cosponsored the House resolution condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID–19.
Cosponsored the Coronavirus Community Relief Act (H.R. 6467) introduced by Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), which would establish a dedicated fund for local towns and cities under 500,000 residents.
Cosponsored the All Dependent Children Count Act (H.R. 6420) introduced by Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN-02), which ensures all dependents qualify for the $500 guarenteed by the CARES Act.
Cosponsored the Small Cities and Towns Investment Act (H.R. 6459) introduced by Rep. Angie Craig, which provides direct assistance to municipalities with populations under 30,000.
Cosponsored H.R. 6506, the Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act, with Reps. Derek Kilmer (D-WA-6) and Jaime Herrera-Beutler (R-WA-03), which which would extend and provide additional funding for the PPP.
Letters:
March 12th letter asking SBA for clear guidance for loan programs
March 23rd letter to Agriculture Secretary asking for argeted assistance for specialty crops.
April 2nd letter to Speaker Pelosi asking for a direct funding stream to small towns and cities.
April 16th Rep. Schrier-led Bipartisan Child Welfare Letter to House Leadership
Local/State/Federal Resources
For more information or if you have coronavirus concerns, the Washington state Department of Health has set up a hotline. You can call them at 800-525-0127 and press #.
Washington Insurance Commissioner Kriedler has announced that insurance companies should waive copay and deductibles for COVID-19 testing. He has also required that people can get a one-time early refill of prescription medication. More info here: https://www.insurance.wa.gov/news/kreidler-orders-washington-health-insurers-waive-deductibles-and-copays-coronavirus-testing
Washington Department of Health is keeping this website updated with COVID-19 information and resources: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
King County has an updated resources website here: https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus.aspx
Kittitas County Department of Public Health's phone number: 509-962-7515 and website: https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department: http://tpchd.org/coronavirus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
CDC What You Need to Know Fact Sheet: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
CDC Guidance on symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html
Estas son algunas recomendaciones del CDCgov para evitar la propagación de coronavirus:
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Evite el contacto cercano con personas enfermas.
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Evite tocarse los ojos, la nariz y la boca.
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Quédese en casa cuando esté enfermo.
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Limpie y desinfecte los objetos y superficies tocados con frecuencia con un spray o toallita de limpieza doméstica regular.
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Cúbrase la tos o estornude con un pañuelo de papel y, a continuación, tirelo a la basura.
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Lávese las manos a menudo con agua y jabón al menos por 20 segundos, especialmente después de usar el baño, antes de comer y después de limpiarse la nariz, toser o estornudar.
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Si no tiene agua y jabón, use un desinfectante de manos a base de alcohol con al menos 60% de alcohol.
Rep. Schrier's Public Statements on COVID-19
C-SPAN Washington Journal: https://www.c-span.org/video/?470187-4/washington-journal-representative-kim-schrier-d-wa-discusses-federal-response-coronavirus
CNN interview with Chris Cuomo 3/11/2020
KNKX All Things Considered: https://www.knkx.org/post/washington-states-only-doctor-congress-talks-coronavirus-policy
House Democrats Caucus Press Conference 3/3/2020 (Remarks begin at 6:55): https://twitter.com/HouseDemocrats/status/1234859650668826624
Statement on House passage of $8.3 billion emergency spending package: https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-schrier-statement-house-passage-coronavirus-funding-package
KOMO TV Interview
KIRO "Gus and Ursula Show" Radio Part 1 Part 2
Coronavirus Update Newsletter: https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/view_newsletter.aspx?id=101105&c=WA08KS
Telephone Town Hall Information
Questions and answers from my March 23rd Telephone Town Hall.
Partial transcript from my April 22nd Telephone Town Hall