AUDIO: Carper Holds Coronavirus Telephone Town Hall with Delawareans

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), hosted a Telephone Town Hall where he heard from Delawareans impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, answered their questions, described the recently enacted Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and provided an update on the federal response to the pandemic. Senator Carper was joined by Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of Delaware Public Health, Cerron Cade, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Labor, and Denita Henderson, Small Business Development Center Associate State Director, who offered their expertise on federal and state resources available to Delaware small businesses and families.

“Earlier this week, I hosted a telephone townhall with Delawareans to hear their concerns during this uncertain time. I was glad for the opportunity to provide an update on the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic and answer questions about the federal resources available to Delaware families and small businesses as part of the recently enacted bipartisan CARES Act,” said Senator Carper. “Thank you to Dr. Karyl Rattay, Secretary Cerron Cade and Denita Henderson for joining this important conversation and offering their expertise to our constituents. I know we are living in strange times and that many folks are struggling. Parents who are suddenly full-time teachers. Breadwinners who are suddenly out of work. Small business owners who are worried about their livelihood and their employees. Repeatedly, folks asked what the government is doing to make sure that people will be safe. People are rightly concerned that we will reopen too soon and that their lives – and the lives of their loved ones – will be put at risk. They are worried that the virus will come back, we will have to shut down again. In the weeks ahead, and with the feedback and concerns I heard from you all, I will be laser-focused on working to ensure the fourth relief package reflects the needs of Delaware small businesses and families who have been impacted by this unprecedented pandemic.”

To listen to the telephone town hall conversation, please click here.

The bipartisan CARES Act, recently signed into law, allocates nearly $2 trillion to provide relief for hard-working Americans who currently find themselves in dire situations through no fault of their own. The package includes $1.25 billion in cash grants for the State of Delaware, in addition to millions of dollars in funding for hospitals, unemployment insurance, Medicaid and education programs that will benefit Delawareans as well.

Senator Carper recently launched new resource pages about what is included in the CARES Act with regard to:

• Relief for small businesses and nonprofits
• Cash payments for individuals and families
• Access to new unemployment benefits