Dear Friend,
As we begin reopening our economy, it is important that we are prepared to keep our communities safe from a potential second outbreak. We need to ensure
that our public and private institutions have adequate resources to stay healthy and safe. That means we need additional personal protective equipment
and sanitizers. Earlier this week, I wrote an article published in The Hill that explains the importance of increasing the production of hand sanitizer as we begin to return to normal life.
I also joined a bipartisan group of House Members in a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar asking how the funds from the CARES Act’s Provider Relief Fund will be used to assist rural
hospitals. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused great stress on our rural hospitals’ budgets, as the coronavirus has shut down many of the elective
surgeries the hospitals rely on for income. I will continue to fight to keep rural hospitals open to serve Mississippians across our state.
COVID-19 Testing Sites and Resources
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) will be operating drive-through testing sites
in the coming days. If you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 and are interested in being tested, please download the C Spire Health app or dial (601) 496-7200.
- April 30th – Hinds County: Bolton Edwards Elementary Middle School, 9700 I-20 Frontage Road, Bolton
- April 30th – Leflore County: Greenwood-Leflore County Civic Center, 200 Mississippi Highway 7, Greenwood
- May 1st – Calhoun County: Calhoun County Extension Office, 235 S. Murphree St., Pittsboro
- May 1st – Copiah County: Multipurpose Building, 2040 W. Gallman Road, Hazlehurst
- May 2nd – Newton County: Clarke Venable Baptist Church, 362 W. Broad St., Decatur
I have compiled a list of resources on my website for your convenience. By visiting my Coronavirus Relief page,
you can find helpful information on managing this crisis. We will continue to update the page as more information becomes available, so be sure
to check back every few days and subscribe to my newsletter to receive updates.
Mississippi Needs Your Response
Mississippi is falling behind the national average on our Census response, but it’s not too late. We need everyone to complete the Census to ensure
that all Mississippians are counted. By taking a few minutes to respond to the census, you could secure $50,000 over the next ten years for your
state government to fund roads, bridges, and hospitals. Your response is safe, and it is against the law for the Census Bureau to share your information
with other federal departments. Do not miss this opportunity to help your community. It only takes a few minutes. Respond today by visiting
https://2020census.gov/.
SBA Federal Loans for Disaster-Related Damages
The Small Business Administration is offering low-interest loans for individuals with property damage caused by the April 12th-13th storms. Businesses,
nonprofits, and homeowners/renters are eligible to apply for the loans to help following the Easter storms. To apply for a loan, visit DisasterAssistance.gov,
download the FEMA mobile app, or call (800) 621-3362 to register with FEMA. Next, apply online by visiting the SBA Disaster Loan Assistance website.
Residents can dial (404) 331-0333 ext. 2122 and 2106, and businesses can call (404) 331-0333 ext. 2123 for one-on-one assistance.
Latest Statistics
As of Wednesday, April 29th, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 1,005,147 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the United States. Since yesterday, we’ve seen 23,901 additional cases. The number of individuals
who have passed away as a result of infection has increased since yesterday by 2,247 to 57,505 total deaths. See below for graphs and infographics
from the Mississippi State Department of Health on the number of cases in Mississippi. Since yesterday, an additional 227 Mississippians have contracted
the coronavirus, and 11 Mississippians have passed away from the virus. In total, 66,094 Mississippians have been tested for COVID-19.
Sincerely
Michael Guest
Member of Congress
