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What to Know


As your representative in Congress, I want to keep you updated on COVID-19 – also known as coronavirus – and what is being done to keep West Texans healthy and safe.

It is an honor to serve the 19th district in Congress. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or if I can be of assistance.

COVID-19 infection causes mild to severe respiratory illness, with symptoms that include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

If you experience these symptoms and believe you may be infected with coronavirus, please contact your doctor immediately.

  • STEPS YOU CAN TAKE to slow the spread of coronavirus and stay healthy.
  • Listen to and follow the directions of your state and local authorities.
  • If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
  • If your children are sick, keep them at home. Do not send them to school. Contact your medical provider.
  • If someone in your household has tested positive for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.
  • If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.
  • If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.
  • Work or engage in schooling from home whenever possible.
  • Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.
  • Avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and social visits.
  • Avoid eating or drinking in bars, restaurants, and food courts – use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options.
  • Do not visit nursing homes or retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.
  • If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.

It is also important to continue taking these simple precautions to help keep yourself, your family, and your fellow West Texans healthy:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Additional CDC recommendations for keeping homes, workplaces, schools, and other public places safe can be found here.

Travel plans? The U.S. Department of State has issued a Global Level 3 Health Advisory and is advising all U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad. If you or someone you know is abroad and needs assistance returning to the U.S., please visit travel.state.gov or contact my office. The CDC recommends older adults and people with underlying health issues (such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes) avoid all cruise travel and nonessential air travel. You can learn more about travel restrictions and warnings here.

Veterans should call their VA medical center before going to a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room, especially if experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Veterans are encouraged to ask about the option of care by phone or video instead of an in-person visit.