COVID-19, or the coronavirus, has blasted its way across our world, forcing citizens to worry for the safety of their families as reports of more cases and deaths continue to mount.
This pandemic has reached our shores and will likely worsen before it gets better. There are nearly 30,000 documented worldwide deaths and that number rises daily. Last week, Congress finally passed a support package to provide needed aid for workers, businesses, and hospitals struggling to stay afloat. Governors across the country have rapidly and appropriately declared states of emergency and imposed restrictions to contain the spread of this virulent virus.
The best strategy was and still is to self-isolate as we determine how to best cope with this crisis. While we socially distance and stay at home, we prevent the spread and “flatten the curve,” allowing hospitals and health care workers to care for those who are the sickest. This gives researchers time to expediently develop and expand testing for this brand-new virus and develop the best treatments.
This knowledge will enable businesses to reopen sooner and allow workers to get back to work. This experience will inform us greatly, from basic hygiene, to the creation of life-saving vaccines, to better preparedness overall.
As businesses scramble to maintain compliance and viability during this period, they are showing great ingenuity and I am convinced that this challenge will be a marker of humanity’s great resilience. Communities have pulled together to support local businesses by ordering carryout and holding health care hero challenges.
In order to help Kentucky businesses weather the economic storm created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kentucky House and the Senate took action to help businesses retain workers and health care providers reach patients and provide services by passing SB 150 in Frankfort this past week. Two weeks ago, we passed a similar measure aimed at helping our schools cope with COVID-19.
What is not helpful during this time of uncertainty and fear is holding up assistance to citizens, as members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have attempted to do. While the health of our citizens is in jeopardy, members of Congress have taken stances that either pad the $2 trillion rescue bill unnecessarily or hold up the vote on procedure, dragging members back to Washington for a roll call vote thereby putting their health, their families’ health, and that of their staff at risk. This behavior is disappointing and dangerous to our citizens.
This neither helps businesses retain employees nor those affected by unemployment. It doesn’t issue equipment to our health care providers who are putting their health at risk to save lives.
It doesn’t help citizens who are scared, anxious or sick get the care they need. Now is not the time to play politics. Downplaying or denying the reality of this pandemic is irresponsible. Now is the time to think of your citizens directly affected by this crisis and help find solutions to real problems.
Kentuckians are well-supported due to the actions taken by our Governor, Congress, and the Kentucky General Assembly, as well as the ongoing help from our hospitals and health care providers. It is now our turn to comply with these recommendations to protect ourselves and others from this virus and keep from overwhelming our hospitals. So, wash your hands frequently, use social distancing if you must go out, stay at home if possible, and take a walk in this beautiful Kentucky weather.
We can and will get through this together — because Kentucky is better when we are united.
Representative Kim Moser represents the state’s 64th House District, which includes portions of Campbell and Kenton counties. A retired neonatal intensive care and flight nurse, Moser serves as chair of the House Health and Family Services Committee and has spearheaded efforts to support Kentucky’s public health system, mental health awareness, and the state’s response to the opioid epidemic.
