WASHINGTON – Today in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-Ala.) questioned federal public health leaders about their level of preparedness for and response to the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, in the United States. He specifically called for them to increase the public’s awareness of the signs and symptoms of the virus, expand test kit availability, and to help rural areas access the resources they need to keep their communities safe.
“The health and safety of Alabamians is my top priority, and so I appreciated the opportunity today to raise some of my concerns with our nation’s top public health officials about the response to COVID-19. I am especially interested in making sure folks in Alabama and across the country are getting accurate information and protecting themselves, but we also need to look at ways we can rapidly increase the number of coronavirus test kits available and also help folks at our rural hospitals prepare as well,” said Senator Jones, a member of the Senate HELP Committee. “I’ll continue to advocate for any resources and steps we need to take to minimize the impacts of this virus and keep Alabamians healthy.”
Senator Jones and his staff have been in regular communication with federal and state health officials about the coronavirus response. He is also currently working with his colleagues to help identify additional resources that Congress can provide to help mitigate this outbreak.
More information about the virus and precautions you should take are available on the CDC’s COVID-19 response website.
Media Release/Office of Alabama Senator Doug Jones
