December 11, 2020

Duckworth Hosts Virtual Roundtable on COVID-19 Impact and Recovery with Southern Illinois Health Departments

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) held a virtual roundtable today with four Southern Illinois health departments to discuss the impact of COVID-19 in the region. They also discussed the distribution plan for the COVID-19 vaccine and the ways they can ensure its accessibility in rural communities. Duckworth was joined by leaders from the Jackson County Health Department, Franklin Williamson Bi-County Health Department, Southern Seven Health Department and Egyptian Health Department.

“As this pandemic continues to surge, our healthcare workers and health departments are in desperate need of more support,” Duckworth said. “Though the news of a forthcoming vaccine is hopeful, we’re still months away from widespread distribution and it’s as important as ever to continue social distancing and wearing a mask. I had a productive discussion today with public health officials from Southern Illinois about how we can best protect our rural communities and ensure the timely and widespread distribution of a vaccine once its available, and I’ll keep doing all that I can to make sure they have the resources they need.”

Duckworth has been working to ensure states and municipalities are prepared to distribute a forthcoming COVID-19 vaccine, including calling for funding in any upcoming relief legislation to help with the swift distribution of the vaccine. Duckworth also called for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help provide more support to local – especially rural – communities with the cold storage needed to store vaccine supplies.

 

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