[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S1641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              CORONAVIRUS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, yesterday evening, the President, the 
Vice President, and their task force offered an extensive public 
briefing on ongoing efforts to combat this new virus, which has spread 
from China throughout the world.
  As the Director of the CDC explained, officials are now tracking more 
than 500 cases across our country. Nationwide, the risk to any 
individual American remains low, but as the Vice President and the 
experts reminded us, the time is now for all Americans to engage in 
basic commonsense measures and for Americans at heightened risk to take 
additional precautions. Detailed recommendations for individuals, 
families, and employers are available online at coronavirus.gov.
  President Trump also announced that in parallel with the public 
health response, his administration is considering ways to mitigate the 
impact of the virus on our economy. Senate Republicans look forward to 
discussing this with Secretary Mnuchin and the President's team so we 
can all consider the best ways to move forward for the American people. 
As our government continues to prepare and protect our Nation, I would 
urge all of my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle in both Chambers, 
to put reflexive partisanship aside and stay focused on our common work 
to promote the common good. This virus does not care--does not care--
about partisan divisions.
  This disease poses a challenge, no question, but our Nation is 
strong, we are well equipped, and we have overcome far, far greater 
challenges before. As the Vice President put it yesterday, ``We're all 
in this together.''

                          ____________________