“We need to fund scientific research that can quickly diagnose and provide therapies to prevent and treat the virus. … And we need to all look after each other.” U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins, a Democrat representing the Buffalo, New York area
News from the Buffalo, New York area Office of U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins
Posted March 5th, 2020 on Niagara At Large
(A Brief Foreword Note from Niagara At Large – With a virus that has been spreading around the globe like this, it certainly matters what our neighbours are doing about it right across such a heavily trafficked border. In that spirit, we post this news.)
Buffalo, New York – Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced House passage of H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020.
The bill provides $8.3 billion for a robust response to COVID-19, the “Coronavirus,” including vaccine development, support for state and local governments, and assistance for affected small business.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that was first identified as a result of an outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of other respiratory illnesses, and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Patients can also subsequently develop pneumonia after contracting the virus. Since the end of December there have been over 95,000 confirmed cases<https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6> of coronavirus worldwide leading to more than 3,200 deaths.
This legislation would provide:
- $2.2 billion to for prevention, preparedness and response at the federal, state, and local levels;
- Over $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics;
- Nearly $1 billion for the procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies;
- $300 million to ensure access to affordable vaccines;
- $1.25 billion to protect Americans by preventing the spread of Coronavirus worldwide;
- Makes an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans available to small businesses impacted by the outbreak.
Earlier this week Higgins called for emergency funding in a speech on the House floor: “We need to fund scientific research that can quickly diagnose and provide therapies to prevent and treat the virus. We need to give our first responders, doctors, nurses, and public health workers, who are on the front lines of fighting this virus, the resources and support that they need. And we need to all look after each other.”
To watch and hear Buffalo area Congressman Brian Higgins speak on this issue on the floor of the U.S. Congress, click on the screen below –
For more information on COVID-19 and precautions to take, visit: https://higgins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/coronavirus-disease
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