Good afternoon,
Chris Coons is a busy man these days.
Thanks in part to his superb speaking skills, the U.S. Senator from Delaware has long been a mainstay on the cable news circuit.
This year, Coons has emerged as what the media folks describe as a “surrogate” to President-elect Joe Biden. He has been effective in that role as both a fierce defender of Biden and a bridge to Republicans.
Coons’ last high-profile appearance was on NBC’s Meet the Press this past Sunday.
For a time, those credentials led to reports that Coons might end up with a cabinet-level position in the Biden administration.
The speculation died down after the election as it became clear that Biden will need senators like Coons to serve as a bridge between his administration and moderate Republicans.
Coons has emerged as a key player in bipartisan legislation that would provide $748 billion in Covid-19-related benefits for businesses and individuals.
The bill is part of a two-part plan aimed at breaking a logjam over whether local and state governments should get assistance in dealing with the impact of Covid-19.
Coons says the bill “will provide help for those facing eviction or foreclosure, support for those who are unemployed, as well as funding for schools, vaccine distribution, and small businesses fighting to stay afloat.”
The clock is ticking as the impact of expanded jobless benefits and what some see as a “sugar rush” of the Payroll Protection program’s forgivable loans fade away.
The situation has grown increasingly severe as states like Delaware see a rising tide of coronavirus hospitalizations and adopt federal Centers for Disease Control recommendations that include capacity limits at restaurants, gyms, and other venues.
On Monday, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce reported that the CEOs of the state’s three largest hospital systems – ChristianaCare, Beebe, and Bayhealth – expressed concern over the rising level of admissions.
So far, the situation is manageable. One growing concern involves fears over Covid-19 that led to some people to delay urgently needed treatment.
All three CEOs strongly advised business leaders to spread the message of washing hands, wearing a mask and keeping one’s distance.- Doug Rainey, chief content officer.
