Dear Friend,
This week, I continued to closely monitor the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the Ninth Congressional District and, like many, didn't like what I was seeing. On Monday, I wrote to Governor Lee to ask for answers about why Shelby County ranked last in the state for per capita vaccinations, and I ended the week leading a letter to President Joe Biden asking that vaccine supplies be distributed to cities and metropolitan counties that have the expertise and proven ability to get shots into arms quickly and efficiently. I also announced two significant grants to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, including one for emergency pandemic supplies; announced more than $4.6 million in other federal grants to Ninth District recipients; commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Wednesday; and prepared to provide detailed guidance to my constituents on the Biden Administration's plan to re-open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (Healthcare.gov) on February 15. I also paid tribute to Lemoyne-Owen College basketball coach and Athletic Director Jerry Johnson after his passing Sunday. And I acknowledged the slow delivery of U.S. Capitol Historical Society 2021 calendars because of the delayed delivery of all mail recently. Keep reading and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what I'm doing as it happens.
Monitoring Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
Announcing Significant Grants to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Announcing $4.6 Million in Federal Grants
Commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Providing Advance Notice of Healthcare.gov Open Enrollment
Remembering LeMoyne-Owen Coach Jerry Johnson
Acknowledging Slow Delivery of U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars
Weekly Health Tip
Quote of the Week
Monitoring Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
The rollout of coronavirus vaccines to the states is improving now that competent Biden Administration officials are in charge, but early efforts have been plagued with problems, especially for Shelby County. That's why I wrote Governor Lee on Monday, noting that a disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases and deaths are occurring in our African American population but that Shelby County ranked last in the state in getting injections into arms. Earlier today, I led a letter to President Joe Biden asking the new Administration to consider shipping vaccines directly to cities and metropolitan counties with a proven history of working with minority and underserved communities. Be assured I am carefully monitoring this critical response to the pandemic and will keep you fully informed with updates at Cohen.House.gov.
Announcing Significant Grants to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a $1.1 million grant to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for emergency pandemic supplies this week to address the dire need of its at-risk patients and staff. Earlier in the week, St. Jude also received a significant grant for the study of ALS. See those releases here and here.
Announcing $4.6 Million in Federal Grants
On Monday, I announced $3.5 million in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grants to Shelby County's Ryan White HIV programs and to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) for dementia research. The next day, I announced $1.09 million in grants to UTHSC, the University of Memphis and the Memphis Area Association of Governments. See those releases here and here.
Commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day
On Wednesday, I commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day which the U.N. established in 2004 as a way for the world to remember the past and work to prevent future genocides. Six million Jews and others, including homosexuals, the disabled and political enemies of the Nazi state were killed. I joined my fellow Americans, and people around the world, as we paused to remember, reflect and resolve to continue our never-ending battle against bigotry and intolerance. See my release here.
Providing Advance Notice of Healthcare.gov Open Enrollment
The forward-thinking Biden Administration has made the wise decision to re-open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health insurance (Healthcare.gov) for those who were not able to enroll by the December 15 deadline and for those newly unemployed or otherwise newly qualified. I'll have more information next week and at my official website, Cohen.House.gov, as details become available.
Remembering LeMoyne-Owen Coach Jerry Johnson
On Sunday, I learned of the passing of legendary LeMoyne-Owen basketball coach Jerry Johnson, whose Magicians won Memphis' only NCAA title in 1975, the only men's basketball title in Tennessee history. I paid tribute to him in a statement to the press here and in remarks in this week's Congressional Record. See those here. A gentle giant and a gentleman, Coach Johnson's place in our city's storied basketball history will always be remembered.
Acknowledging Slow Delivery of U.S. Capitol Historical Society Calendars
If you're like me, you may just now be getting holiday greetings from old friends mailed more than a month ago. For those of you who have contacted my office wondering when you'll receive your U.S. Capitol Historical Society 2021 calendar, please know mail service issues are causing unfortunate delays. However, the calendars were mailed out in a timely manner and I hope you will be receiving yours soon.
Weekly Health Tip
Even as a carefully coordinated response to the coronavirus pandemic gradually ramps up, it's critical that we all continue to follow basic public health precautions until most of us are vaccinated later this year. Wearing masks to protect your fellow Americans is a patriotic act that will help us get this pandemic under control more quickly and save countless lives in the process. I urge my friends and constituents to be vigilant in maintaining public health protocols: wash your hands regularly, wear a mask, and keep your distance from others, particularly when you're inside. Click here to see when you will be eligible to receive a vaccine, and call 901-222-7468 to be notified when appointments are available through the Shelby County Health Department.
Quote of the Week
"The brutal truth is: It's going to take months before we can get the majority of Americans vaccinated. Months. In the next few months, masks — not vaccines — are the best defense against COVID-19. Experts say that wearing masks from now just until April would save 50,000 lives who otherwise will pass away if we don't wear these masks. That's why I'm asking the American people to mask up for the first 100 days. I've issued executive orders requiring masks on federal property and interstate travel — trains and planes and buses…. We're going to get this done. And I'll always level with you about the state of affairs." – President Biden at a press briefing Tuesday on efforts to address the coronavirus pandemic. As always, I remain.
Most sincerely,
 Steve Cohen
Member of Congress |
