WHAT CONGRESS HAS DONE AND MUST DO TO
HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY COVID-19 CRISIS
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TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | MAY 1-MAY 7, 2020 17
BY ALEXANDRIA OCASIOCORTEZ
Our district is the epicenter
of the epicenter. Among
the zip codes with the highest
number of positive cases,
five of the top 10 reside in
NY-14. The neighborhoods
of Jackson Heights, Corona,
Elmhurst, East Elmhurst
have a combined population
of about 600,000 and more
than 7,260 coronavirus cases.
Manhattan, with nearly
three times as many people,
had about 10,860 cases.
Our community is also
disproportionately at risk
for the greatest consequences
of the virus. Bronx residents
are twice as likely to
die from COVID-19 than other
New York City residents.
Latinx people also comprise
34 percent of the COVID-19-
related deaths in New York
City, the largest share for
any racial or ethnic group.
Congress has not yet
done nearly enough to address
this crisis. I believe
our next stimulus must include
three critical policies.
First, we must provide recurring
monthly payments
of $2,000 per individual and
$1,000 for dependents. Second,
unlike the last stimulus
package, immigrants must
be given relief. Those with
Tax ID numbers should receive
stimulus checks, and
all immigrants, regardless
of status, should be eligible
for healthcare programs. Finally,
we must expand public
plans like Medicare and
Medicaid to cover those who
lose their insurance when
they lose their jobs.
There is some relief currently
available. To date,
Congress has made COVID-
19 testing free; required
companies of fewer than 500
people to provide paid sick
and family leave; increased
funding for food banks and
nutrition programs; granted
direct cash assistance for
adults with Social Security
Numbers earning $99,000 or
less; created a new pandemic
unemployment insurance
program; and provided relief
for small businesses.
To learn more about how
to apply for any of these programs
— and to learn about
resources available to immigrant
communities — go
to my website, ocasio-cortez.
house.gov, or call our office,
718-662-5970. Last week, our
office responded to over 400
inquiries.
We know many of you are
facing issues applying for
unemployment. The state
has revamped its website in
response.
Now, once you apply online,
you will receive a call
from the state within three
days. You no longer have to
call the State to complete
your application for unemployment
insurance.
We also know many of
our small businesses are
frustrated by the delays
with the Paycheck Protection
Program. Congress
recently reached a deal
with the Trump administration
this week to add an
additional $300 million to
the program. While many
of the problems with PPP
were not addressed, including
a deficit of funding for
minority-owned businesses,
this should free up lenders
to begin distributing loans
again.
I’m not one to sugarcoat.
Things are very hard, and
Congress has not done nearly
enough. But I’m also not
one to stop fighting. Just
two years ago, I was a bartender.
My family lived on
the precipice of economic
ruin after my father died unexpectedly.
I know personally
the devastation many of
you are facing. Please know
that I will continue to fight
every day to get you the relief
you deserve.
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