{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/coronavirus-covid-19-updates-and-resources-0", "Coronavirus (COVID-19): Updates and Resources", "2020-03-18", "2020", "2020-03", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friends,\nAs your Member of Congress, one of my top priorities is to keep you informed on critical issues such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). My office continues to receive new information regarding the global COVID-19 pandemic and I want to provide you with the latest information and resources so you can stay up to date and prepared.\nIt is important to familiarize yourself withlocal health department resources. Most schools have or are developingemergency operations plans, and I strongly encourage students and parents to familiarize themselves with those plans now.\nIn any public health emergency, it is important to get trusted, verified information. Below, you will find helpful information from the CDC and the Mississippi State Department of Health. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office.\n\nTrusted and resources on the coronavirus (COVID-19):\n\nFor the latest updates from the Mississippi State Department of Health, click here.\n\nFor the latest updates from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), click here.\n\nFor the latest updates from the World Health Organization (WHO), click here.\n\nFrequently asked questions on the coronavirus (COVID-19): \n\nWhat is Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)?\nCoronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals and humans. In rare cases, animal coronaviruses can be transmitted from animals to humans. This novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is a newly discovered coronavirus that has not been previously detected in animals or humans. The source of this virus is not yet known.\n\nWhat are the symptoms of COVID-19?\nPatients with COVID-19 have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:\nFever\nCough\nShortness of Breath\nSymptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.\n\nIf you experience the symptoms of COVID-19 or have reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your healthcare provider before visiting a healthcare facility. To help prevent the spread of germs, you should:\n Stay home when feeling sick.\n\tWash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, multiple times a day. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if soap and water are not available.\n\tAvoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.\n\tAvoid close contact with people who are sick.\n\tCover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.\n\tClean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.\n According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, including older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions. If you are in this higher-risk population, the CDC recommends that you:\n Stock up on supplies.\n\tStay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.\n\tWhen you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact, and wash your hands often (using soap and water for at least 20 seconds).\n\tAvoid crowds as much as possible.\n\tAvoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.\n \nThe best thing we can do right now is to make sure we do not panic, stay informed and be prepared.\n\nSincerely,\nBennie G. Thompson\nMember of Congress", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/coronavirus-covid-19-updates-and-resources-0"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.2465089093893766, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}