[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H1559-H1560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM CORONAVIRUS

  The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Rhode Island 
(Mr. Cicilline) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CICILLINE. Madam Speaker, as the number of coronavirus cases 
rises, it is important that our constituents have the information they 
need to protect themselves, so I am going to use my 5 minutes today to 
walk through what doctors and health experts know and what Congress has 
done in response.
  First, there is no vaccine to prevent coronavirus, so taking steps to 
protect yourself is paramount.
  As much as possible, avoid contact with individuals who are already 
sick. If you yourself are sick, stay home. There is no need to go to 
work and risk getting other people sick as well.
  Try to avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and 
mouth.
  If you have to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue. If 
you don't have a tissue, use your sleeve.
  Be sure that you are cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched 
objects and surfaces, like doorknobs and phones.
  If you feel compelled to wear a face mask, be sure that you check the 
CDC's recommendations. Face masks are not recommended for people who 
are trying to protect themselves from respiratory diseases. This 
includes coronavirus. However, face masks are recommended if you are 
showing symptoms of coronavirus or another respiratory disease.

  Most importantly, the CDC recommends that you wash your hands 
frequently. Do so with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You 
should especially wash your hands after using the restroom; before you 
eat; and after you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze.
  If you are unable to wash your hands but have a sanitizer available, 
the CDC recommends that it be alcohol-based with at least 60 percent 
alcohol.
  As the coverage of this ongoing outbreak continues and the number of 
positive cases grows, it is also important that the American people 
know what the symptoms of coronavirus actually are.
  According to the CDC, coronavirus symptoms may appear as soon as 2 
days and as late as 14 days after exposure. These symptoms include 
fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
  If you are suffering from these symptoms, you should stay home. Do 
not rush to the emergency room, a minute clinic, or another medical 
facility.
  While you are at home, do your best to stay away from your family or 
other people you may regularly encounter.
  The next step is to call your doctors and let them know that you are 
exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus. They will tell you the next steps 
you should take.
  If they want you to come in for a test, this call will allow your 
healthcare provider to take the necessary steps to keep other people 
from getting infected.
  If you are going to the doctor or out in public with symptoms, now is 
the time to wear a face mask.
  If your symptoms continue to worsen, call your doctor and seek prompt 
medical attention.
  Be sure that your doctor is in contact with your local or State 
health department. This will make the monitoring or self-monitoring 
process easier for both you and health officials.
  If you are instructed to self-quarantine, stay at home until you are 
instructed to leave. This will minimize

[[Page H1560]]

the risk of transmitting the disease to others.
  Finally, we have an obligation to each other to do everything we can 
to prevent the further spread of this disease.
  Again, if you do not feel well or you have any of these symptoms, do 
not go to work. This includes my colleagues and my staff here in the 
Capitol, some of whom have already made the responsible decision to 
self-quarantine themselves.
  We have had briefings from administration officials leading the 
national effort to get this outbreak under control. We know how serious 
this is. Now is the time to lead by example.
  That is why, last week, Congress approved a massive $8.3 billion 
emergency appropriations package to address the scale and seriousness 
of the coronavirus epidemic. I was especially glad to see that this 
package included several key provisions that meet needs specific to my 
home State of Rhode Island, where we have three confirmed cases 
already.
  This includes nearly $1 billion for drugs, masks, lab tests, and 
additional resources that will be provided to State and local health 
agencies; $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small 
businesses, to help cushion the economic blow of this public health 
emergency; $3 billion for research and development of treatments and 
vaccines; and $300 million to ensure those vaccines are affordable.
  Most importantly, this bill gives doctors and public health experts 
the resources they need to do their jobs.
  We have the best doctors, scientists, and researchers in the world. 
Now is the time to let them do what they do best without feeling 
pressure from politicians, including the President.
  I am pleased also that the Speaker yesterday sent a Dear Colleague 
letter which identifies some of the issues that remain of importance to 
us that we are going to focus on in sort of the second effort by the 
Congress: paid sick leave, enhanced unemployment insurance, food 
security, clear protections for frontline workers, widespread testing 
for the coronavirus, as well as affordable treatments for all, anti-
price-gouging protections, and increasing the capacity of our medical 
system.
  I really want to thank the Speaker for identifying those issues which 
remain unaddressed and which the Congress must address in a full and 
comprehensive response to this public health crisis.

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