Rep. Suzan DelBene: We need federal resources and science to combat COVID-19
It is heartbreaking the first fatalities of the coronavirus (COVID-19) are in Washington. The situation continues to develop as more deaths and confirmed cases are reported daily. We know it is going to take a massive mobilization of federal, state and local resources to address the virus. That is why my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives and I are working on a bill that would provide support to state and local first responders and accelerate the development of a vaccine to treat the disease.
The emerging threat of COVID-19 is deeply personal to me not only because it affects my state and community, but also because I started my career in immunology research. My experience in the lab underscores my faith in science, and my experience in Congress taught me how critical resources are to deal with a crisis.
Scientists, medical experts, and state and local public-health officials are doing a critical job, sometimes putting their own health at risk. We need to trust and respond to professionals on the ground to get a handle on this virus. To do that, we must make sure Congress and the Trump administration are doing everything they can to be transparent, accountable and, most of all, proactive.
Congress’ role here is to pass a supplemental funding bill to provide additional resources and to backfill the funds state and local agencies have already spent. This is one of the top issues I have heard from our public-health leaders in the state.
https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/rep-suzan-delbene-we-need-federal-resources-and-science-to-combat-covid-19/
= new reply since forum marked as read
now I see it 
