March 12, 2020

ICYMI: Castro PSA on COVID-19 and San Antonio Community

-As Delivered-

WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and member of the House Intelligence and Education and Labor Committees, today released the following PSA on the urgent and important actions San Antonio residents must take to stop the spread of coronavirus in the larger community:

For the full video, click here.

Hi, I’m Joaquin Castro, Congressman from Texas. I represent San Antonio and some surrounding cities. As you know, Lackland has been the quarantine site for hundreds of people who have not tested positive for the coronavirus known as COVID-19. Ten people among that group who were infected are being treated at the Texas Center for Infectious Disease in San Antonio.

I want to take a few minutes to speak to you about the urgent and important actions you can and should take to stop the spread of the virus in our community. First, this thing is much more harmful than the flu. Please take it seriously. If you are sick – stay home. From work, school, and everywhere else if possible. Second, this virus is especially dangerous for senior citizens and people with compromised immune systems. If that’s you, please stay away from others as much as possible. Please remind your parents and grandparents to practice social distancing if they are 65 or over. I’ve had that conversation with my own parents.

For employers, school districts, and others in charge of large public gatherings, please take steps immediately to encourage social distancing. If employees can work from home, please let them. San Antonio officials, including me, are pressing the CDC very hard for more testing kits to determine whether someone has contracted the virus. Congress is also working on a relief funding bill to aid workers, employers, and others impacted by this public health situation.

If you have any questions for me, don’t hesitate to contact my office at 210-348-8216. And for more information and updates about the virus in San Antonio, call the COVID-19 hotline at 210-207-5779. Take care and I’ll be in touch soon.

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