News
Coronavirus Government Response Update—Disinfectant Demand Hits ‘Biblical Proportions’
August 4, 2020
Welcome to the Coronavirus Government Response Update. This information is intended to keep ISSA members up to date on fast-moving government affairs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other public policy issues important to the cleaning industry. Today’s update touches on the disinfectant and hand sanitizer shortage, key policies ISSA is championing as part of the latest COVID-19 legislation, some signs of slow progress on the latest coronavirus stimulus package, and more.
Hand Sanitizer, Disinfectant Demands Hit ‘Biblical Proportions’
According to Bloomberg, “Disinfectants and hand sanitizers remain hard to find at U.S. retailers, despite four months of emergency measures from the EPA and FDA to boost production, with supply chains maxed out by a still-raging pandemic.” While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have aided manufacturers’ production process by relaxing some regulations, demand continues to exceed supply in many areas. Meeting that demand would require massive investments in capital, which is not on the forefront of business’ minds during an economic bust and takes quite a bit of time.
ISSA Advocates for Cleaning Industry in Latest COVID-19 Legislation
Congress has begun negotiations on a “Phase Four” COVID-19 relief and economic stimulus package. U.S. Senate Republicans introduced a series of bills, collectively designated as the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools Act or HEALS Act and totaling $1 trillion, that serve as the starting point for negotiations. Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives set their marker in May when they passed the $3 trillion Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act or HEROES Act. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, ISSA’s Government Affairs team has been tirelessly advocating on behalf of the full spectrum of the cleaning industry. As we look to the next stimulus package, ISSA is championing several key policies that, if enacted, will provide needed aid, relief, and protections to our members and essential workers.
Democratic Leaders Make ‘Some Progress’ in Talks with White House
After a two-hour meeting on Capitol Hill Monday, Democratic leaders announced slow progress with White House negotiators on COVID-19 relief efforts. Acceding to The Hill, no deal is expected before the week’s end if negotiations pursue at the current rate, even after millions of unemployed Americans saw the $600-a-week federal boost to state unemployment benefits expire last week. “We are really getting an understanding of each side’s position and we’re making some progress on certain issues,” Senator Charles Schumer (NY-D) said. “There are a lot of issues still outstanding but I think there is a desire to get something done as soon as we can.”
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