The coronavirus pandemic has taken a major toll on our families, friends, neighbors and our economy. While we are still in the midst of this national health crisis, from the start Stephen Lynch has worked with our hospitals, first responders and health experts as well as his colleagues in government to help protect the people of the 8th Congressional District.

From ensuring that critical funding through the CARES Act made its way to cities and towns and organizations on the ground, to securing PPE and essential equipment for our health care workers and first responders, to reaching out to our senior populations who were unable to see family, Stephen continues to do everything possible to make sure our needs are met.

As the coronavirus took hold, Stephen worked with his contacts at Gillette and P&G, to secure tens of thousands of N95 masks and face shields and distributed them to hospitals, health centers, nursing homes, first responders and front line providers throughout the 8th district, some of whom had none of these vital provisions to ensure the safety of workers and patients.

While we continue to navigate through this health crisis, Stephen has been working to make sure that we are prepared and that we allow health experts, and not political agendas to guide us.

After the debacle with the lack of federal stockpile and the chaos that ensued with states clamoring for equipment and protective gear, Stephen worked to find a solution so this never happens again by introducing legislation – the Strategic National Stockpile Enhancement and Transparency Act – that would improve federal response by creating a national biodefense stockpile network with real time inventory. This effort would ensure health care professionals and first responders have the personal protective equipment and the critical supplies to treat the public.

Knowing the Trump administration is letting politics lead their actions over science and health care experts to guide us through this crisis, Stephen joined with his colleagues to author and introduce the National Institutes of Health Director Protection Act to protect Dr. Fauci and other health care experts at the National Research Institute from political retribution from the administration.

Along with keeping people healthy and safe, we are also facing the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, and Stephen has worked tirelessly to address the employment, housing and food crises that have arisen. Through the CARES Act as well as other legislative vehicles, he has fought to get money to individuals, small businesses and organizations that need it most. Along with supporting extended unemployment benefits, Stephen worked with his colleagues to provide additional funding for services and testing including: over $24 million in HUD emergency shelter and services for the homeless; $1.9 million for rental assistance for people with disabilities; $840 million for MBTA and MADOT for public transit readiness; and $7.8 million to community health centers for increased testing. He is continuing those efforts to provide relief and protect the health and well being of the people of the 8th District through the HEROES Act.

As your Congressman, Stephen will continue to fight every day to ensure that we have what we need to come through this crisis.

Below are trusted links to information about programs, services and efforts around the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have a specific problem or concern, please contact Congressman Lynch’s office at (617) 428-2000.

Commonwealth Of Massachusetts 

Centers for Disease Control 

Fact Sheet about COVID-19 

Getting Tested for Covid-19 

Find a Local Food Bank 

How to Apply for Unemployment 

How to Apply for the Payroll Protection Program

Resources for Workers Impacted by Covid-19