Debbie's Blog
Coronavirus update: April 4, 2020
DEARBORN, MI,
April 4, 2020
Here’s an update for Saturday, April 4. Thought of the day: “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” -Henry Ford Slowly but surely, the Third Coronavirus Bill is being implemented. Yesterday, banks began to process the small business loans. There were issues, like MiLogin unemployment and the SBA’s E-Tran system weren't able to handle the sheer volume of requests. We are staying on top of this to make sure people are getting helped, no one is scammed, and no one is left out. MiLogin is back up now after maintenance. And I want to share that E-Tran processed 5200 loans requests in the first 15 hours with a total of $1.8 billion dollars. This is more than the SBA did last month. The system has been overwhelmed and is behind in processing but they plan to run through the weekend (as many banks and credit unions plan to do as well) and expect the system to clear all of the requests. I also spoke with a president of Michigan Bankers to ensure we are getting help to where it needs to go. We are also are continuing to work hard with those needing help with unemployment filings, getting help to local hospitals, fighting for tests and PPE. What has become abundantly clear is that more resources are needed and that Congress needs to expand previous relief packages and provide more resources for our hospitals and state and local governments on the frontlines of this crisis. I’m also focused on preventing water and utility shutoffs nationwide as a part of that, expanding COBRA support so people continue to have access for healthcare, supporting survivors of domestic violence where home may not be the safest place, and improving the support for long-term care during these difficult days. The Speaker has determined that these must be our goals in the fourth bill and that it must be done soon. We still need an Infrastructure bill among other priorities but that is likely to be in the fifth bill. If we’re going to mitigate the coronavirus, we need to stay home. Period. Too many don’t understand that for most of us that is the biggest responsibility we have. And we have to make sure that people prioritizing the health of our communities shouldn’t be punished in the workplace which is why Governor Whitmer prohibited all employers from retaliating against employees for staying home from work if they or a close contact has symptoms of or has coronavirus. If you know someone whose felt this type of pressure from work, let them know they have workplace rights. A resource for workers to know their rights is available on the Attorney General’s website here. The protection and safety of workers in workplaces like Amazon during this time remains a top priority. Sadly, both Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and I received confidential complaints about disturbing working conditions at the Amazon facility in Romulus. We asked Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to look into this immediately. It’s in employers interest too to keep their workers safe and healthy to continue critical functions. The safety of workers must always come first. Rashida and in also sent a letter to TSA after hearing about similar issues at the Detroit airport. After sending the letter, TSA employees were given N-95 masks, but there are other issues and we are monitoring very closely. Michigan recently received additional federal dollars to help provide meals to older adults as the state responds to coronavirus. During this time, a lot of seniors are unsure about what’s safe to do and what isn’t. Seniors who need extra support at this time can now sign up for assistance, including meal delivery, delivery of non-perishable food items, and daily wellness-check calls, through the MDHHS coronavirus website. New information becomes available everyday. Below is a list of resources and information that can be helpful during this time. Please share this information with your family, friends, and colleagues. Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives. Coronavirus information File for unemployment Small Businesses can apply for low-interest disaster loans Navigating Social Security Benefits School Based Food Service Interactive Map Food Banks and Kitchens in Michigan's 12th Congressional District Contact numbers for people looking for information are: • Centers for Disease Control, cdc.gov/coronavirus, 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). • Michigan.gov/coronavirus, Call 2-1-1 or 734-287-7870 from within Michigan to connect with help of all kinds including food, housing, healthcare, and more. |
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