Dear Friend,
My staff and I are working hard to keep you up-to-date with the most recent news from our office. Please feel free to forward this email to your friends
and family and encourage them to subscribe to my newsletter.
COVID-19 Testing Sites and Resources
Saturday, June 6, was the final day that the C Spire Health app was available to be used as a screening tool for COVID-19 testing. Mississippians can
now be screened and scheduled for appointment-only testing by calling the UMMC Center for Telehealth at (601) 496-7200 or by going to umc.edu/covidscreening.
The testing site in Jackson has moved from the Mississippi State Fairgrounds to the West Street Farmers Market on Woodrow Wilson Avenue and is
available from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, except for Sunday.
- June 11 – Jones County: George V Harrison Multi-Purpose Complex, 206 N. Church Street, Ellisville
- June 11 – Madison County: Canton Multipurpose Complex, 501 Soldiers Colony Road, Canton
- June 12 – Lowndes County: Vibrant Church, 500 Holly Hills Rd, Columbus
- June 12 – Leflore County: Greenwood/Leflore Co. Civic Center, Greenwood
- June 13 – Jasper County: Jasper County EOC, 37D W 8th Ave, Bay Springs
- June 13 – Attala County: Attala County Coliseum, 550 MS-12, Kosciusko
- June 15 – Claiborne County: Claiborne County Parks and Recreation, 1120 Highway 61 North, Port Gibson
- June 15 – Clay County: West Point Civic Center, 130 Sixth Street, West Point
- June 16 – Clarke County: Clarke County Emergency Management Agency, 642 Archusa Ave., Quitman
- June 16 – Coahoma County: Coahoma County Youth Outreach Expo Building, 1535 Wildcat Drive, Clarksdale
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.
Democrats Propose Defunding the Police
This week, the far-left reached a new low point with its radical proposals when some adopted calls to defund or abolish police departments. Americans
want the best law enforcement agencies possible. Improving our police force starts with building on the proven methods that have worked for years
and changing the methods that don’t work. Our nation has worked continuously to advance our institutions, and we have done it successfully without
tearing up the foundation to start from scratch. Completely dismantling the police force is a disastrous idea. How many innocent lives would be
damaged if nobody was there to respond to a 9-1-1 call? Who would respond to violence in our communities if we abolish the police? “Nobody” is
not an acceptable answer. We need a well-trained police force to uphold the law and save lives.
I oppose radical proposals such as defunding the police and will support legislation that increases the safety of our citizens while also protecting
the lives of our law enforcement officers. I’ve been an outspoken proponent of equipping our law enforcement officers with body cameras to provide
additional evidence in trial cases and improving the training our law enforcement agents receive, which would give them the skills to respond more
effectively and appropriately in their dangerous line of work.
Support for Small Businesses
New opportunities to help businesses get back on their feet following the coronavirus have been announced. The Back to Business Mississippi grant program,
which was signed by Governor Tate Reeves on May 20, 2020, will launch tomorrow, June 11th. According to the program’s website, “the grants will
be used to help businesses in Mississippi with 50 or fewer employees recover from the economic impact of COVID-19, including operating expenses
and salaries.” You can visit backtobusinessms.org for eligibility requirements and other information on the program.
Another program, the non-profit Mississippi 30 Day Fund, provides loans for Mississippi-based small businesses. The loans are forgivable and structured
to offer assistance within three days of application to help businesses in the reopening process. As a 501(c)(3), the Mississippi 30 Day Fund is
a unique opportunity to receive funds quickly. The organization also accepts charitable donations to support local small businesses. For more information,
you can visit ms30dayfund.com.
Latest Statistics
As of Wednesday, June 10th, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 1,973,797 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the United States. From Tuesday to Wednesday, we saw 17,376 additional cases. The number
of individuals who have passed away as a result of infection increased by 950 nationwide, and the total number of deaths in the U.S. from the virus
is now 112,133. See below for graphs and infographics from the Mississippi State Department of Health on the number of cases in Mississippi. As
reported today, an additional 374 Mississippians have contracted the coronavirus, and 21 more Mississippians passed away from the virus. In total,
223,195 Mississippians have been tested for COVID-19.
Sincerely,
Michael Guest
Member of Congress
