Upton: We cannot let politics divide us as we fight the coronavirus

Statement

U.S. Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) issued the following statement after the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus called this morning for bipartisan cooperation to fight the coronavirus:

"This morning, a bipartisan group of members made it clear that it is time for Congressional leaders and the Administration to put politics aside and come together to address the coronavirus. The health, safety, and well-being of the American people are far too important to let politics get in the way of solutions. American lives are at stake and the nation expects action.

Over the past few days, my office has reached out to leading health officials in southwest Michigan to assure them we will do all we can at the federal level to protect our communities. We also asked them what they were hearing from folks on the ground, what resources they had and what they needed, and to maintain open and direct lines of communication as we work to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

This week in Congress, the members of Problem Solvers Caucus and I will work with both sides of the aisle to secure the necessary funding needed to combat this virus. Moving forward, we need to speed up the readiness of a coronavirus vaccine, ensure that it is affordable, ready timely testing, and continue to seek out bipartisan ideas to keep this country safe.

At home, folks can take important steps to protect themselves and their loved ones. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects. Avoid contact with those who are sick. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently. While the flu shot will not protect you from the coronavirus, it is still important to get it to help prevent the spread of the flu.

The American people need to be able to trust that the U.S. government is doing everything we can to prevent the spread of the virus. We cannot let politics divide us at this time. We need solutions. This is a moment in time for all of us to step up for the safety of our families, our communities, and our nation."

The latest updates and additional information on the coronavirus is available at www.cdc.gov/.

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