PARKERSBURG – Concerns about how stimulus checks will get to people, impacts on those who have lost their jobs and lack of internet service were among the questions fielded by one of West Virginia’s U.S. Senators regarding the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
Wednesday evening U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., talked to constituents over the phone in Wood, Jackson, Wirt, Pleasants, and Ritchie counties during a Teletownhall event to maintain social distancing recommendations. Since mid-March, Capito has hosted seven constituent Teletownhall events on the coronavirus, talking with people of all ages and backgrounds, in 26 counties.
“I know there have been a lot of questions about what is going on, both from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) and the relief checks as well as just general information,” Capito said to those participating. “I know this is a stressful and trying time for everybody.
“There is certainly a lot of uncertainty. Together, if we follow the right advice, practice common sense and social distancing, I think what we have seen is things can be better for us and we can stop the spread of the virus.”
Capito said stimulus money is being sent out to people and direct deposited in their accounts if the IRS has their information when they file their tax returns. Others will be receiving their money through a traditional paper check while others will have theirs deposited to their special benefits debit cards.
People will get $1,200 if they make $75,000 or less a year. Couples who make $150,000 or less will receive two checks for $1,200 each. People will get an additional $500 check for each child in their home under the age of 17. People on Social Security will also be getting relief checks.
“I know those will be welcome relief,” Capito said. “People are using those checks for rent, gas, food or however they want to use it.
“This is one of the ways Democrats and Republicans came together to see that people got some extra support during these trying times as so many people have lost their jobs.”
She told people to be patient as the payments will not go out to everyone on the same day.
“Wayne,” no city of residence given, asked the senator about what many self-employed people can do right now when they don’t have any income and they still have bills to pay.
Capito said there are loans available through the Small Business Administration that people can apply for through their banks or credit unions. If approved, the money could be used to pay the business owner or go toward paying bills. The PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan would be forgivable for up to eight weeks as it is designed to keep people going until they can hopefully resume business.
Capito said self-employed people now have options through unemployment coverage due to the emergency. People can apply for that through Workforce West Virginia. However, Capito cautioned that thousands of claims are being worked through and it may take time to be able to get something.
“Byron” of Wood County said there are still a lot of non-essential businesses open and he wondered how this could be.
“It is like Wood County hasn’t even stopped,” he said of the potential for the virus to spread. “We have contractors tearing houses down and everything going on like it was a normal day.”
Capito said West Virginia has not seen the spread of the virus like other parts of the country have because of schools being closed and many businesses, like bars and restaurants as well as churches where people gather, have been closed.
Some businesses where people can be outside, like landscaping are continuing because they can be outside and not spread the virus as much as some, Capito said.
“Tim,” no town of residence given, is a small business owner and he is concerned about people making more on unemployment than getting them to come out for essential work.
“You have to go on unemployment because you have been laid off or furloughed,” Capito said. “People might have the impression they can opt to go on unemployment for any reason and that is not the case.”
The Senator said there was a vote in the Senate where people cannot make any more money on unemployment than they would working.
“People need to remember there are only expanded benefits through unemployment for four months,” Capito said. “It is temporary.
“The best thing people can do is stay connected to their employees and their employers.”
People asked the senator how they could access unemployment benefits sooner as they or family members were going to be laid off soon
“We don’t want to be left behind,” said “Christy” of Parkersburg.
Other questions revolved around people not wearing protective masks around the elderly in senior apartment complexes; people not wearing masks at certain area manufacturing businesses and people having to sign forms if they do decide to wear a mask which the senator warned people to be careful about and know what they are signing; how the election was going to be handled with Capito telling people about the push to vote through absentee ballots; whether certain essential jobs should qualify for hazard pay; and other concerns.
“Randy” of Waverly talked about how his area has a lack of internet service and he has to drive his kids to a local fast-food restaurant where they can get WiFi service so the kids can do their schoolwork.
“You have a story no one should have,” Capito said. “I think this episode has shown us how absolutely critical broadband deployment is to everybody.
“It is telehealth, it is homework and telework. If you can’t do it, people are stuck.”
The senator said she has been working on expanding broadband to the rural parts of West Virginia for years. She feels this crisis and the challenges people have in staying connected and doing work online will give the push she wants for more lawmakers to take the situation more seriously and do something to expand it in the future.
She talked about how taking small steps will never get everyone there.
“It is rural areas where they are behind,” the senator said. “I think this will give great emphasis to getting this done.
“There will be a great bi-partisan push to getting this done and I hope to lead it.”
Capito talked about the possibility of students falling behind and may not be able to be prepared for the next grade level as other residents talked about the challenges their children were having in doing schoolwork online.
Some asked the senator about the possibility of bringing back certain jobs to this country as the supply chain was interrupted in other countries where things were being made were impacted by the virus, like China, Italy, Germany and other places.
“We will have a big push for manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and supplying our stockpiles for masks, thermometers and ventilators that we fell short on,” Capito said. “We really ended up in a shortage.
“I think this really demonstrates that we need to analyze how we need to be more self-sufficient and require some of the manufacturing to be within our own borders.”
The situation now has caused delays in getting the equipment people need and needs to be addressed so it doesn’t happen again, Capito said.
No one asked if Capito had any idea when the country might reopen.
“I guess people know that I don’t really know,” she said after the event. “I am going to be subject to whatever the President and the Governor say along with the health officials.
“People are understanding about what is happening and I think they are doing the best they can under difficult circumstances.”
The Senator told people to look at her website at www.capito.senate.gov/coronavirus for resources in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. There is also information on the website about people contacting her office with concerns.