Larsen holds COVID-19 telephone town hall

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen hosted a telephone town hall to address concerns from residents on COVID-19 and the government response to the crisis on March 23.

Larsen represents Washington state's Second Congressional District, which stretches from Lynnwood to Bellingham and includes most of Marysville, Arlington and Tulalip.

Dr. Paul Pottinger, the director of the Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine Clinic at the UW Medical Center, also joined Larsen on the call to help answer questions about the new coronavirus.

The town hall was held only a half hour after Gov. Jay Inslee issued a 'stay-at-home' order to limit the spread of COVID-19 and Larsen encouraged residents to heed that order.

"Please stay at home and stay healthy," he said. "If left to spread it will overwhelm our medical resources."

Larsen said social distancing is the best tool we have to protect each other and our most vulnerable populations.

"I know it is hard, but it does appear to be working," said Pottinger. "Out of desperation, because we have no other choice, to protect ourselves, to protect our seniors, this is the approach we have to take,."

Pottinger added there is a lot of work ahead for doctors and other health care professionals.

"It's still early days for the epidemic, believe it or not. I know it feels like it's been forever," he said. "We are committed to finding the answers for all those important questions. I'm more optimistic now than I have been with how the epidemic is going."

Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gloves, is a big concern for many, said Larsen.

"The existing supply does not meet the demand locally, or nationally," he said.

"Washington state received multiple shipments from the strategic national stockpile," Larsen added, however those supplies will likely be going mostly to healthcare professionals who are working with at-risk populations.

A field hospital could be set up in the state soon, as well, said Larsen.

"The Department of Defense has said they will deploy five field hospitals nationally," he said. "We anticipate Washington state will receive at least one of these hospitals."

Testing was also on many residents' minds and is an important tool for curbing the spread of COVID-19.

"More tests means better knowledge and therefore smarter knowledge to stop the spread," said Larsen.

On March 23 the state was testing about 3,800 per day.

"My dream would be to know the viral infection status of everyone. If I had my magic wand I would ask who has got it," said Pottinger.

"That's the dream. The challenge for us is that technology is not yet there for us to deploy it state-wide, nation-wide," he said.

With limited testing the state has to target their resources at the most at-risk populations.

Larsen also hopes to see some relief heading to workers who have been affected by the stay-at-home orders.

"We've seen thousands of our neighbors thrown out of work," said Larsen. "I am looking what we can do for mortgage payments, rent and business loan payments. I don't have the answer yet."

The relief package that was being debated in the U.S. Congress had some disagreements about the implementation, said Larsen.

"There are no strings attached to the money they want to give to companies. I think one of the lessons we learned in 2008 is that we can put strings on this money to make sure the workers receive protection and the government gets their money back," he said.

Larsen said he expects the House and Senate to come to a resolution for the package. (The CARES Act was passed by the House and Senate, and was signed by President Trump on March 27.)

Unemployment insurance policy has also been loosened in some cases and Larsen encourages individuals to apply at the state website.

"For anyone who has questions about unemployment assistance, before congress adds to unemployment assistance, I would strongly encourage you to go to esd.wa.gov," he said.

President Donald Trump's major disaster declaration for the state of Washington has the potential to open up individual assistance funds for households as well.

"Our delegation will continue pressing FEMA to expand the disaster declaration," said Larsen.

Many types of workers are not helped by unemployment insurance and Larsen said those disaster funds could support gig workers as well.

"We're a state that has a lot of gig-economy workers. That category of worker doesn't get help in many of the traditional buckets," said Larsen. "We're working with the state and FEMA to expand the disaster declaration so we can include self-employed and contractors."