Update: June 29, 2020
Throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Tina has been focused on the health and safety of Minnesotans, and all Americans.
Tina successfully fought to include free coronavirus testing in legislation passed in March, and she also helped pass legislation to support small businesses, families, health care workers and health care systems.
Tina also worked to make sure rural electric and agricultural cooperatives, as well as rural hospitals, could access the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Tina supports COVID-19 relief for state and local governments, as well as support for childcare providers.
And because Tina understands that COVID-19 is having a disproportionate burden on communities of color, she supports a bill led by Cory Booker that would help organizations get supplies they need to community members at risk of contracting the virus. Additionally, Tina supports Kamala Harris’ legislation to establish a Racial and Ethnic Disparities Interagency Task Force to address racial and ethnic health disparities.
Update: March 24, 2020
As we navigate a public health crisis, Team Tina wanted to share a few updates and helpful resources.
Since January, Senator Smith has been pushing state and federal officials for a scientifically driven response to the coronavirus, working to make sure the public has reliable information to keep them safe and pushing to ensure the public health response to the virus is properly funded.
Senator Smith specifically pushed legislation to expand free testing for the coronavirus that was passed by Congress and enacted into law. She’s also introduced legislation to protect quarantined workers from being fired. Senator Smith is committed to working hard to make sure the federal government’s response continues to move forward and is also in close communication with state officials in Minnesota. A few specific pieces she is fighting for include:
- Support for hospitals and health care systems, including rural hospitals, Indian Health Service and tribal health centers
- Financial support for Minnesotans who have lost their jobs and livelihoods overnight
- Financial help for small businesses and to make sure that their workers can still be paid
- Support for Minnesota’s Tribal Nations and Urban Indian people
For Minnesota-specific information on the virus, along with resources about keeping yourself and those around you safe, check the Minnesota Department of Health website.
For national or more general information on how to stay healthy and safe, read more from the Centers for Disease Control.
If you’re looking for ways to help communities across Minnesota during the outbreak, you may make a donation to several organizations addressing the crisis here.
We have a common purpose, a common cause. Let’s rise to it and stop the spread of this virus. And thank you to all of the health workers fighting this virus on the front lines and ensuring our communities get the care they need.