Tell us more about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected you or your family. My parents are impacted because they are disabled, elderly, on a fixed income and have health issues. Seeking medical care has been difficult and not always available when needed. The fear of exposure is always on their mind. Grocery shopping is even difficult with the click-list options. Luckily I am able to take mom to her medical appointments and procedures and able to shop for her grocery needs.

My daughter is furloughed, had a baby during the pandemic, son-in-law had a vehicle accident which required surgery, going to PT, have 6 kids, one with asthma, trying to adjust to online education, daycare not available for infant. Dependent on government assistance. Luckily we have been able to assist, but that is difficult.

My son is employed. He and his co-workers were furloughed alternating over a period of weeks. He was furloughed for 3 1-week intervals. He received ONE unemployment check and ONE additional $600 check. He nor his co-workers have received the additional checks for the additional 2 1-week intervals. Now the federal assistance has stopped, wondering if they will ever receive those 2 additional $600 payments.

The talk of and promise of assistance that doesn’t come through is disheartening. Politicians should listen to the low income and middle class voters, and not think only of their own needs or the needs of the party they are affiliated with. This is a time to implement a time limit on all public offices; 2-year or 4-year terms maximum. It may take years to learn everything needed, but career politicians have helped to create this political nightmare!

Thank you though to Sen. Mitch McConnell for coming through with the stimulus, but more needs to be done!

What do you need to stay healthy and take care of yourself or your family during this pandemic? Continued available and affordable PPE and disinfecting wipes and sprays, adequate food and paper product supplies for purchase. Furloughed employees need continued financial assistance. Unemployed workers need an option, even if temporary, to receive additional financial assistance during this epidemic. Thank you for your time.