We should fight COVID and infectious disease as a community. We are all in this together.

When I see a patient struggling to breathe with COVID, or I comfort a family member who has lost a loved one, politics never enters the conversation. Compassion and empathy, service and understanding define our discussion.

When we fought the Soviets, when we confronted terrorism, and when we came together after 9/11, it wasn’t based upon which news station one tuned into or which TV talking head someone followed. We understood the external threat to our freedom, to our way of life, and to our loved ones and communities. COVID is no different.

The COVID-19 pandemic devastated not only our nation, but our economy and the global community. The reality of the pandemic also showed how woefully underprepared our country is for pandemic prevention and control. COVID-19 has killed over 600,000 Americans and cost this country over $16 trillion. Unfortunately, the experts say this will not be the last pandemic we face. It is crucial that we do all we can to prepare and protect ourselves against the next potential outbreak.

While in Congress, I will push for investment in pandemic prevention research, improved supply lines for PPE, safer public spaces, faster, more accurate testing and effective therapeutics and vaccines for known pathogens.

This virus doesn’t pick sides. It doesn’t decide to infect someone because they are a Democrat or Republican. It simply sickens and kills.