Originally published in the Reading Eagle 

Written by Jeremy Long 

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan is doing her best to keep her constituents informed on the evolving coronavirus pandemic.

The Chester County Democrat, who represents the 6th District that includes Reading and many southwestern communities in Berks County, hosted several telephone town halls over the past three weeks to discuss the pandemic. On Monday afternoon she was joined by Penn Medicine Dr. Benjamin Abella, Reading Mayor Eddie Moran and Chester County health department official Ashley Orr.

“This is a very difficult and trying time," Houlahan said. "We are all called upon to be our very best selves.”

Houlahan said she is concerned about the shortage of personal protective equipment, like masks, gowns and gloves and is in favor of President Donald Trump using the Defense Production Act.

“There is a bipartisan house resolution that is asking the president to fully invoke the power to mandate people in the industry and stimulate domestic production for these types of materials,” she said. “I would very much like to see the president invoke his power in that area.”

Before taking questions from constituents, Houlahan laid out what she has been doing in Washington, D.C., and her concern for small businesses.
“Right now is not the time to have your partisan hat on,” she said. “Now is the time to roll up your sleeves and get to work.”

What Congress is doing

Houlahan noted the $8.3 billion coronavirus package that Trump signed last week. The bipartisan package provided for free testing, emergency paid leave programs, bolstering food programs and enhancing Medicaid benefits for states.

“This is definitely not a time for partisan politics or misinformation,” Houlahan said. “I have been aggressively working across party lines to protect our community and provide everyone with the facts.”

Houlahan said she is frustrated by the fact that the Senate has failed to vote on the almost $2 trillion coronavirus economic rescue package. Once the bill makes it to the house, Houlahan will look for several things.

“We need a bill that comes from the Senate that prioritizes the needs of our most vulnerable,” Houlahan said.

She said the bill should include rapid access to capital, like loans or grants for small businesses, or allow individuals to access money in their retirement accounts without penalties. Houlahan wants unemployment insurance for workers left without a job because of the virus and legislation that would give renters and business owners a grace period when it comes to payments.

A doctor's insight

People need to be vigilant about washing their hands, practicing social distancing and cleaning often, Abella said, because a vaccine is not around the corner.

The soonest a coronavirus vaccine will appear is in three to six months, but it's more likely it will take six to 12 months, Abella said.

“Anything you hear about a (vaccine) coming down the line, it is certainly hopeful and I will pray that comes along quickly,” he said. “But it’s very, very unlikely we will have a (vaccine) in the coming few months.”

Abella also dispelled several myths about the virus. He said there is no evidence that Vitamin C can prevent the virus or ultraviolet light could cleanse it.

“There’s also no evidence that any medications work,” he said.

In this time of uncertainty, Abella said everyone needs to remain calm.

“Anxiety and fear are very normal,” he said. “But we must not panic. Every epidemic and pandemic in the history of mankind has ended. We must avoid panic. Panic can lead to bad decision making.”

Local officials weigh in

Moran said Reading has been following the protocols suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Moran closed City Hall to the public, and all non-essential personnel were told they could work from home.

Orr said that Chester County has been planning for the pandemic for a while and is now in response mode. Chester County, which has 40 cases of coronavirus, is now focused on surveillance and investigation of cases, Orr said.

“We are actively investigating any cases and notifying (people who have) been in close contact with those cases,” Orr said. “So they get the appropriate guidance on self-quarantine and isolation in an effort to make sure people are staying home and not going out and potentially spreading the virus.”

Questions

Would you consider this virus to be airborne and can you contract the virus from mail, takeout containers or other surfaces?

Abella said it is an airborne virus, but only in a close contact setting. He said that in open settings like the outdoors, it’s unlikely.

“It’s pretty clear this is in saliva, sneezing and fluids in our mouths and throats,” Abella said. “I do think walks outside and physically distancing is OK. If you are in a closed space, like a room or shopping center, there is a risk.”

Abella said a vast majority of cases are from droplets or close contact.

“It’s clear the virus can persist for sometime on surfaces such as cardboard or countertops,” Abella said. “It’s very important that those preparing food wipe down surfaces with peroxide wipes or bleach wipes.”

He suggested hand washing anytime a person brings in groceries, mail or a takeout bag.

“It doesn’t hurt to have an ounce of prevention and assume any object you touch in the outside world deserves hand washing,” Abella said.

How will Congress continue to operate as more members either contract the virus or self-quarantine as a precaution?

Houlahan said that the majority of congress is fully operational and functional.

She said all of her 18 staff members are working from home.

“We are able to be just as effective working from home,” Houlahan said. “There has been discussion on how to vote remotely. We are in unusual and unprecedented times. There are very good conversations happening about the need for us to vote virtually or to adjust the ways we are voting.”

Is there a way retired veterans in the medical field can help?

Orr said that in Chester County there is a group of volunteers called the Medical Reserve Corp.

Houlahan said she has been advocating for a national service program.

“We need to make sure we are using all the skills that we have,” she said, "and encourage people to come out of retirement and off the sidelines.”

We will cycle through COVID-19 and so many businesses are worried about the economic fallout. What will you do to support lost revenue for small businesses that do not need more debt?

Houlahan said she has heard from many small businesses that loans are great, but many businesses do not need more debt at this time.

“I heard these types of loans were a good first step, but they are not a perfect or complete solution,” she said.

She said what is missing in proposed legislation is grants or loans that will be forgiven if a business follows certain provisions like continuing payroll.

“Those are creative solutions that small and mid-sized businesses need to be able to survive in this environment,” she said. “

The COVID-19 Relief for Small Businesses Act, which Houlahan is advocating, includes some of those creative solutions.