Sen. Cruz: COVID-19 updates

COVID-19 is a new disease that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person to person. This virus was first identified in Wuhan, China.

COVID-19 RESOURCES

For the most up to date information and resources, visit the following:

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• CDC: Testing for COVID-19
• Texas Department of State Health Services
• Texas Division of Emergency Management 
• FEMA: Eligible Emergency Coronavirus (COVID-19) Protective Measures

Learn more about the coronavirus emergency relief packages passed by Congress and signed into law:

• Phase I: $8.3 billion emergency funding package
• Phase II: $105 billion Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• Phase III: $2 trillion CARES Act

Sen. Cruz is working to equip our local communities, healthcare professionals, agencies, airlines, and all those working to combat the coronavirus with the support they need to ensure the health and safety of Texans and all Americans.

As Sen. Cruz recently said:

“We need to keep doing everything possible to stop the spread of this virus, but we also shouldn’t give in to panic or hysteria. We should be driven by facts and medical science. I will continue working with the administration, my colleagues in the Senate, the medical experts, and with state officials to do just that.”

STEPS SEN. CRUZ IS TAKING TO COMBAT COVID-19

• Voted in favor of the third coronavirus relief package, the Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security Act (CARES Act). 
• Delivered remarks on the Senate floor where he called on his colleagues to address this public health crisis and deliver real relief for the American people.
• Sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar urging him to use the Defense Production Act to immediately order the production and distribution of ventilators, which are critical to treating individuals infected by COVID-19.
• Introduced legislation to increase healthcare capacity and access and speed up FDA approval for certain vaccines and cures that could prevent or treat COVID-19.
• Voted in favor of the second coronavirus relief package.
• Called on federal officials to take four immediate, concrete stepsto help curb COVID-19 and ultimately defeat it.
• Introduced the RESULTs for Coronavirus Patients Act, which would fast-track approval for certain drugs and devices to combat COVID-19 pandemic.
• Voted in favor of the $8.3 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations to assist in the United States’ efforts to contain the spread and prevent further outbreaks.
• Convened a hearing examining the role of the aviation industry in reducing the spread of coronavirus with officials from the Department of Transportation (DOT), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Sent a letter with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) to get answers about the incident in San Antonio, when an individual was released from isolation at Lackland, despite testing positive for the coronavirus.
• Held a bipartisan briefing for members of the Commerce Committee to hear from officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the World Health Organization (WHO) about how the U.S. government is working with other countries on a coordinated, global response, to this public health crisis and what more Congress can do to prevent further outbreaks.
• As news of the coronavirus outbreak broke, called for a travel ban to and from China, as well as advanced screenings at U.S. airports.

ADDITIONAL EFFORTS

• Sent a letter to President Trump with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) urging for the President to support Governor Abbott’s request for a major disaster declaration for COVID-19.
• Sent a letter to President Trump with Sen. Cornyn urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to work closely with State of Texas emergency management officials and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase awareness of the many financial tools available to assist Texans experiencing the economic impact of the coronavirus.
• Sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) calling for a single government-implemented online webform that would allow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to directly collect complete, accurate, and timely data to trace infected or exposed travelers.
• Sent a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with Sens. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) and Cornyn requesting information on the agency’s readiness to prevent the transmission of coronavirus across American ports of entry.
• Participated in a roundtable discussion with the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association and commended their efforts to contain the coronavirus.
• Sent a letter to the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) calling for Taiwan to be fully included in the international response to coronavirus.
• Joined Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and other members in sending a letter to the World Health Organization concerning Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Organization.

updateS FROM SEN. CRUZ

• Sen. Cruz Issues Statement Upon the Completion of His Self-Quarantine
• Sen. Cruz Announces Decision to Extend Self-Quarantine Until March 17 Out of Abundance of Caution
• Sen. Cruz Office Announces Guidance for D.C. Staff
• Sen. Cruz Office Issues Update on COVID-19
• Sen. Cruz Issues Statement on COVID-19

IN THE NEWS: SEN. CRUZ ON CORONAVIRUS

• Sen. Cruz on Fox and Friends: Relief is on the Way for the American People
• Sen. Cruz ‘Slams’ Senate Democrats’ Obstruction of Coronavirus Relief
• Sen. Cruz in Houston Chronicle: ‘Together, We Can Fight this Pandemic, and We Will Ultimately Defeat It’
• Sen. Cruz on ABC News Live, Dallas’ WFAA, KXAS & HOUSTON’S KTRK: Discusses COVID-19 & Decision to Extend Self-Quarantine
• Sen. Cruz on CBS This Morning: Discusses Decision to Extend Self-Quarantine
• Sen. Cruz on the Michael Berry Show: Gives an Update From Self-Quarantine, Discusses Latest on Coronavirus 
• Sen. Cruz on Fox News ‘Fox & Friends’: Coronavirus Is Serious, and We Need to Treat It Seriously
• Sen. Cruz on CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box’: The United States Must Marshal Every Resource Necessary to Protect Life and Contain the Coronavirus

TIPS FOR PREVENTION

Everyone has a role to play in preventing the spread of this virus. Practicing basic hygiene is critical to protecting your own health and welfare as well as the health and welfare of everyone around you. According to the CDC:

• When you feel sick, stay home and seek medical care.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects regularly.
• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. 
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• The Red Cross has experienced blood donation shortages due to the outbreak. Sign up to give blood here.
• The Central Texas Food Bank has asked for donations while they experience a dramatic increase in the need for resources. Find out more information on how to get involved or volunteer here.
• The Salvation Army is seeking donations for cleaning supplies. Find out more on how you can help the Salvation Army here.

TEXANS HELPING TEXANS

Sen. Cruz highlighted Texas’ communities and businesses working together in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Sen. Cruz also released a new video, ‘Together, We Will #CombatCOVID19,’ highlighting Texans’ acts of heroism and kindness in the face of this crisis.

Texans Providing Meals:

• In Houston, Mattress Mack is teaming up with Revolution Foods to supply grab and go meals for students in the area.
• Food banks, including Meals on Wheels, Minnie’s Food Pantry, The North Texas Food Bank, and Shift Dallas all across the Dallas-Fort Worth area are gathering resources to meet the needs of those in the community.
• SeaWorld San Antonio donated over 6,000 pounds of food to the San Antonio Food Bank.
• Houston ISD has partnered with the Houston Food Bank to offer curbside pickup service so families can receive food while social distancing.
• JJ Watt and his wife donated $350,000 to the Houston Food Bank to help feed those in their community.

Texans Supporting First Responders:

• Magnolia Pharmacy in Magnolia, is set to produce and distribute free, non-commercial, compound hand sanitizer to first responders.
• Mighty Fine Burgers in Austin is offered free meals to first responders.

Texans Serving Their Community:

• A San Antonio native raised $10,000 online to help those who posted screenshots of their student-loan statements and past-due medical bills.
• H-E-B donated $3 million to non-profits around Texas to help support the community.
• Austin Energy has announced it will suspend shutting off utilities due to unpaid bills.
• Brookshire’s the Texas based grocery store has dedicated the first hour of operation, a five percent daily discount, and free curbside to seniors in the community.
• La Familia Cortez, owners of the popular restaurant, Mi Tierra, in San Antonio, opened up a drive-up shop for locals to come and buy the essentials.