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  U.S. Senate Sen. Mc Connell on Coronavirus  CSPAN  March 9, 2020 7:46pm-7:51pm EDT

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get underway shortly and when that doesn't have live coverage for you. and the meantime let's take you over to capitol hill earlier today, senators discussing the coronavirus response. we will show you is much as we can until the joe biden event gets underway. >> our nation has continued to confront the public health challenge posed by the new coronavirus. right now, is doctor anthony fauci of the national health reminds us the riskre of any individual american will contract the disease remains low. this is not a time for fear. it is a time to continue calmly scaling up the series and turned serious and smart preparations that have already been underway. so the united states t can continue to block the slow and mitigate the spread within our borders. the most recent global health security index, rated the
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united states the number one overall prepared country in the world. for an infectious disease outbreak. the number one overall most prepared country in the world for an infectious disease outbreak. our resources, capabilities, and expertise are the envy of the rest of the world. and in this instance, the president's early bold action to restrict travel restrictions and quarantine measures back in january, brought our nation more time in more room to continue to prepare for. with that said, there is never any illusion that our country of more than 300 million people, and nearly 400 million square miles could be entirely sealed off from thehe rest of the world. the question was never if we would have to combat the coronavirus here on u.s. soil, but when. and to what degree? as the doctors noted
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yesterday, we are now seeing instances of community spread. here in the united states. in the cdc has now confirmed nearly 500 cases on u.s. soil. anwith respect to individual cst practices and precautions, all americans should follow the recommendations of the cdc andir their state and local authorities. detailed suggestions with different personal situations are available online at www.cdc.gov. officials in my home state of kentucky, how are currently monitoring for confirmed cases. spoke to the governor this morning, and will continue to stay in close touch to make sure kentucky and all 50 states have what they need and no congress has their back. last week the senate passed $8 billion in supplemental funding which president trump signed into law. it will deliver resources the
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public health experts, frontline healthcare professionals, and state and local governments as they work together to protect americans. that legislation has funding for at least $7 million will go to kentucky to help fight the virus. in addition, i want to recognize and thank our colic the junior senator from texas, ten days ago he briefly interacted with an individual who has since tested positive for the virus, even though he feels fine and it has already been ten days with consulting with less verse, senator kruse elected to work from home this week out of d an abundance of caution. we will a certainly miss our colic around the capitalist week but i want to commend him for taking the initiative. we had a chance to talk yesterday. so here is the bottom line, mr. president. our great nation is very strong, we have a norma's expertise and tremendous capabilities.
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and congress, on a bipartisan basis has made sure our health experts and leaders have the funding they need. with calm and, all americans, all of us should continue to listen to the experts, take their advice, and take commonsense steps steps to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities. >> the coronavirus continues to spread. with more than 500 confirmed cases in the united states, and two thirds of the 50 states. delay in testing, we don't know if the number of confirmed cases accurately reflects the number of actual cases in the united states. we now know that when the coronavirusl, first. on our soil, the centers for disease control produced kits that did not work properly. and sense many of t