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Wednesday Coronavirus Update

March 18, 2020

Coronavirus Update

In an effort to keep TN-09 constituents up to date on the coronavirus situation, I will regularly share updates with important information. I hope you'll take some time to look at this information. As always, if you need to reach my office please call 901-544-4131 for the Memphis office and 202-225-3265 for the D.C. office. Updates will be posted on my website: www.cohen.house.gov

Tennessee has 76 confirmed Coronavirus cases. Locally, four have been diagnosed in Shelby County and one individual in DeSoto County, Mississippi.

The Senate this afternoon passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that the House passed early Saturday morning and it now moves on to the White House where it expected to be signed into law. It provides paid leave, establishes free testing, supports strong unemployment benefits, expands food assistance for vulnerable children and families, protects frontline health workers and provides additional Medicaid funding to states to deal with the medical and economic consequences of the pandemic.

The CDC has issued guidance that gatherings of 50 or more people should be postponed or canceled for the next eight weeks and discouraging gatherings of 10 or more people.

Please follow the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at Coronavirus.gov.

That guidance includes:

• Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds

• If soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer that is 60 percent alcohol

• Put distance between yourself and other people

• Avoid physical contact with other people

• Stay home if you're sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough

• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

The Shelby County Health Department's latest updates on the Coronavirus outbreak can be found here: bit.ly/3d3Ll1o.

The Health Department's Covid-19 Call Center can be reached at 833-943-1658 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

All schools and district offices of Shelby County Schools are closed until April 4th due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

You will likely be receiving information about the 2020 Census by mail in the days ahead. 2020 Census field operations have been suspended temporarily but you can still fill out Census forms online and on your phone at 2020Census.gov.

The Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. For detailed information about how to receive support, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

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