Underwood Highlights Illinois Department of Public Health Work to Respond to Coronavirus, Advocates for Federal Resources for State and Local Government
WASHINGTON— Today, in a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Vice Chair Lauren Underwood (IL-14) highlighted the Illinois Department of Public Health's work to respond and prepare for the public health threats related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Underwood brought Illinois Department of Public Health Director, Dr. Ngozi O. Ezike, to testify at the hearing, where she shared the current steps the state of Illinois is taking to respond to coronavirus and coordinate efforts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), federal agencies, and local entities. Underwood emphasized the importance of a whole-of-government approach between federal, state, and local organizations to minimize the impacts of the coronavirus and keep Illinois communities safe.
Additionally, Underwood advocated for federal resources for state and local public health departments to ensure they have the resources they need to respond to coronavirus. In her testimony, Dr. Ezike wrote that responding to coronavirus has cost the state of Illinois more than $20 million for the first five weeks alone. Underwood emphasized that federal resources are crucial to the federal, state, and local response to the public health threats of coronavirus.
"Coronavirus requires a whole-of-government approach – that means federal, state, and local governments must work closely together to fulfill their different roles. It also requires a public health approach – one that prioritizes risk communication, uses smart strategies to minimize the impacts of the virus, and keeps the communities we serve educated and safe," said Underwood.
"Local public health departments in my community in northern Illinois have already stressed the importance of stable, long-term funding since we don't know how long coronavirus will pose a public health threat, it's important these communities have the resources they need to respond to coronavirus," Underwood continued.
Full video of Underwood's remarks can be foundhere.
To help Illinoisans prevent the spread of coronavirus, this week, Underwood launched a new resource page for those seeking information on coronavirus.
As Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Committee and a public health nurse, Underwood is working to protect Illinois families from the spread of coronavirus. Yesterday, Underwood U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf on the Department's efforts to prepare and respond to the 2019 coronavirus. On Friday, Underwood convenedIllinois public health officials and health to discuss steps that the state of Illinois has taken to prepare and respond to the coronavirus. During the call, representatives from county public health departments, northern Illinois health systems, and community health centers discussed coronavirus preparedness, response, and how the public can best protect themselves from infection. Additionally, last week in a House Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing, Underwood questionedU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie on the steps the Department has taken the ensure veterans have the information they need to protect themselves and their families from the spread of coronavirus. Following the hearing, Underwood senta letter to Secretary Wilkie urging the VA and the Veterans Health Administration to conduct proactive risk communication to veterans in response to growing public health threats of the coronavirus in the United States.